Desposito works with Hardware Manager Brian McVay to organize a pallet of merchandise.
Frank Desposito never thought he’d be interested in working in a retail store. He always imagined himself working outside, with his hands, and with minimal interaction with the public.
Frank Desposito has spent two hours a few days a week at Curtis Lumber for the past several months.
That changed, however, when he was offered a work-based learning opportunity at Curtis Lumber in Castleton. There, he works with Hardware Manager Brian McVay stocking shelves, designing end cap displays, organizing merchandise and other various tasks around the store. His placement began right around the Holiday Recess in December, and he’s spent two hours there several days a week since then.
Desposito, a student at Sackett Educational Center and senior at Ichabod Crane CSD, says the experienced gives him an idea of what it’s like to be in the workforce, and has grown a skill set that he can see using in any future career in which he might end up.
“When I first started there, I was thinking I’m just going to do it for this year for some extra credit. And yeah, it’s giving me some extra credit but where is it leading me in the future? It’s definitely been a foundation for whatever I do next,” Desposito said.
The experience has been equally beneficial for the staff at Curtis Lumber. Carl Gray, the location manager for the Schodack store, says the company frequently looks for ways to give back to the community, and he says if their work can be mutually beneficial, it’s a win-win.
“It’s a big help to Curtis, we’re continuing to build our brand, even with just one kid, if it’s a positive experience, he carries that with him anywhere he goes. Having them blend in and be part of the team, not just bring them in and use them, but actually have them be part of the team. It’s just being able to give back, it’s been very positive,” said Gray.
“Very few kids today have any idea of what it’s like to have a beginner job. A lot are aiming to go off to college but that’s becoming economically prohibitive, so a lot of kids will be going straight into the labor force and going in unprepared, in my opinion, is doing a real disservice to them,” said McVay.
Both McVay and Gray said they’ve had a very positive experience working with Frank.
Work-based learning (WBL) opportunities like this one are an important part of the educational program not only at Sackett, but in many of Questar III’s Special Education and Career and Technical Education programs.
“This type of work based-learning program promotes and provides a strong foundation for students to transition into the workforce after high school. The students learn the soft skills in CDOS class and then apply their skills into their work-based learning placement,” said Questar III Work Readiness Coordinator Jon Levine.
Gray has expressed interested in offering Desposito a job when his WBL placement ends. If something isn’t available at the Castleton store, Gray hopes to recommend Desposito for a job at one of Curtis Lumber’s other locations in the Capital District.
Desposito is set to graduate in June, and while he hasn’t quite nailed down a specific plan post-graduation, he’s certainly keeping his options open.
“I thought about going to college to be a veterinarian surgeon, I thought about joining the Marines, if I go work for my dad I’ll be doing directional drilling, or I might go work at Curtis Lumber.”
