The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz Here in the USA, young people are preparing for summer. Some students go year round with shorter summer breaks while others have three months off of school. This is the time of year that many young people look for summertime work. In today's economy, this is no easy task. For those families across the globe, the local culture and educational system may be different, but the need for teens and young adults to develop skills around work and career are just as imperative for a smooth transition into adulthood. I have collected some of my blog posts that discuss work and career development. My goal was to have this information available to parents in a single place. I hope you find these resources helpful as you guide your son or daughter down the pathway that leads to their life’s work.  Food for thought on Young Adult Career development http://www.theinterpretedrock.com/2014/10/food-for-thought-on-teen-career.html Career Planning: Is t...

By Stephen C. Schultz The banging on my bedroom door was sudden and loud. I jolted awake, my eyes wide open but unseeing. My head whipped from side to side as I tried to make sense of the thunderous noise. No, this wasn’t one of those slow, groggy wake-ups. This was the kind of wake-up that triggers fight-or-flight mode—heart racing and covers flung off in an instant! Still dazed with confusion and now sitting on the edge of my bed, I noticed the doorknob starting to turn. Moments later, my dad poked his head through the doorway and said, "Steve, get up! Get up now! You're going down to Oregon Rubber Company to work today!" I had thought my day would be spent in the back pasture, cutting up fallen trees with my dad. Groggily, I turned to look at the clock on my bedside table, wiping the sleep from my eyes to bring it into focus. Thoughts raced through my mind: 5:30 a.m.! 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday, no less! Doesn't my dad know that a sixteen-year-old boy ne...

By Stephen C. Schultz “I can still remember him. He was socially awkward... always on his own. It was tough because English wasn’t his first language! He always walked alone on his way to school. He never really hung out with anyone... a real loner. I had a car, and sometimes I’d pass him on my way to school. Every once in a while, I’d give him a ride, but our conversations were strained. The day he passed away, I couldn’t believe it. Rumors had it he left a note for his parents that mentioned he just didn’t fit in.” This memory highlights the challenges some students face, particularly those who feel out of place in a foreign environment. Over the years, I’ve noticed an increasing number of international students needing the specialized therapeutic and educational opportunities offered by Oxbow Academy . In recent years, we have supported students from diverse countries such as the UK, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Brazil, Russia, Bermuda, Dubai, Guatemala, China, and Spain, to n...