Grace Evink: Student Perspective

'I’m Not Just a Number at Knute Nelson'

Grace Evink is a senior in high school. She wanted to get a part-time job to keep busy, earn money for expenses, and to prepare for college. In her search for a job, Grace said, “I really wanted an employer that was reliable and understanding with my school and sports schedules – giving me the flexibility I needed. I wanted to work where they really thought of me as an employee and team member, not just a number, and I found that at Knute Nelson.”

Growing within the organization

Grace has worked at Knute Nelson for three years. For the first six months, she worked as a Dining Attendant at Grand Arbor. She served food and cleaned dishes. Because of her young age, she wanted to get a feel for working with residents first before she took on the role of Care Attendant. When the time came, Grace transferred to the Care Attendant position. In that role, she provides cares for the residents of Grand Arbor and Nelson Gables. She assists them with daily tasks such as dressing, bathing, help with meals, and medication assistance.

The benefits of being a working student 

One of the biggest benefits of working while in school, for Grace, is work/life balance. “I’m learning how to prioritize my time. Being able to say, okay, I have school today and I have work. When can I do my homework? And how do I maintain a lifestyle outside of work and school? I’ve learned a lot and it’s going really well. This whole experience has helped me with maturity, understanding that there's more than just me in the world, and that caring for others is very important.”

Another benefit of working at Knute Nelson that Grace loves, is the hands-on training. “The support I received during training really helped me learn my role. Working closely with and shadowing co-workers, spending one-on-one time with residents, and online training helped me feel comfortable and become successful in my job. Also, I knew that I could ask for additional training at any time if needed.”

'You're more of a family member'

Grace is all smiles when she tells you her experience working at Knute Nelson has been the best. “I feel supported as a student. If school is running late or if I have to meet with a teacher, they are understanding and flexible with my schedule. The culture is super welcoming. I come into work, and everyone says, ‘Hey Grace, how was your day?’ or ‘Good to see you, I’m glad I get to work with you today.’ It’s enriching knowing you are not just an employee. You’re more of a family member.”

Find your fit at Knute Nelson

Join Grace at Knute Nelson so you too can have the best experience. Her advice to students is, “If you are thinking about working at Knute Nelson, I say 100% do it. They offer a lot of extra benefits and are very understanding, not only with school and sports, but life outside of that as well. And the residents, the residents are wonderful and will create a very big impact on your life.”

Learn more about Knute Nelson employment benefits and view our current opportunities.