Schools and Education
On Thursday, February 5th, downtown Livingston filled with small groups of sixth graders walking between storefronts, studios, and community spaces with clipboards in hand and questions ready. Students from Sleeping Giant Middle School and Shields Valley School took part in a Downtown Livingston Cougar Career Day coordinated by the Community School Collaborative (CSC) and Sleeping Giant Middle School, hosted by eight local businesses and organizations.
From 9 am to 2 pm, students rotated through hands-on learning sessions every 30 minutes. Rather than a single worksite visit (like most Cougar Career Days), the day offered an introduction to some of the many types of work that take place in Livingston’s downtown district.
At the Livingston Depot Center, Executive Director Laura Cota introduced students to how museums operate behind the scenes. Using the upcoming exhibit Invisible Boundaries: Exploring Yellowstone’s Great Migrations, students examined how researchers gather wildlife data and how curators, designers, and storytellers translate that information into exhibits the public can understand.
Avalanche forecaster Shannon Regan and her colleagues from the Friends of the Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center helped students experiment with simulated snow conditions to understand why some slopes are safe while others are dangerous. The workshop highlighted how science, observation, and public education all play a role in keeping recreationists safe.
Ryan Anderson of First Interstate Bank led students through practical exercises about spending, saving, and decision-making. Through games and scenarios, students saw how everyday choices connect to larger financial goals.
At Elk River Books, Yetta Stein discussed nonprofit work and writing before guiding students through a poetry exercise in which they composed their own poems. Some students were also able to rediscover poems they had written and published when they were in fourth grade, an unexpected reminder that interests and talents can develop over time.
At Studio49, Lily Eaton introduced students to a variety of roles that exist within a creative community space, including teaching, organizing events, managing a retail area, and supporting artists. Students also learned about youth programming opportunities available outside the school day.
Sara Miller of Hens and Chicks demonstrated how clothing and handmade goods move from sourcing and preparation to display and sale in a boutique setting. Students then worked in teams to dress a mannequin, turning the lesson into a lively challenge that required both creativity and cooperation.
Scott Rosberg welcomed students into Firehall Fitness, Livingston’s first fitness center, where they toured the historic building and discussed careers connected to health, exercise, and coaching. At Fireflies Pottery Studio, owner Alex Pinson showed students how a small business balances creativity with customer service while they created their own pottery magnets to take home.
The event took place on a sunny, nearly 60-degree February day, and business owners and staff dedicated their full workday to repeating presentations for each group of students. Their willingness to set aside regular operations reflected a shared community investment in young people and education.
Cougar Career Day is one of four career exploration programs CSC provides in partnership with the Livingston School District, alongside Pop-Up Clubs, job shadowing opportunities for seventh and eighth graders, and the Naviance career readiness platform.
Middle school years are a formative period when students begin developing their sense of direction and belonging in school and community. By introducing students to a range of workplaces and adults who enjoy their work, the program helps them connect classroom learning to real life and see practical reasons for developing skills in communication, problem-solving, and persistence.
In a rural county, a community’s future workforce grows from students currently sitting in its classrooms. Programs like Cougar Career Day do not simply expose students to occupations; they help young people understand how many different roles are needed for a community to function. The participation of local businesses demonstrates to students that the broader community is paying attention to them now, not just waiting for them to grow up—that message can matter as much as any single career lesson.