Yes. Families and young adults anywhere in South Dakota can work with a dedicated Blackburn mentor by video. Sessions are scheduled in your local time: Central time for Sioux Falls and most of the eastern half of the state, Mountain time for Rapid City, the Black Hills and much of West River. A parent is always involved for high school students.
East River, West River and the miles in between
South Dakotans divide their state by the Missouri River, and the two halves feel different. East River is farm country, flatter and more populated, anchored by Sioux Falls. West River is ranch land, Badlands and the Black Hills, with Rapid City as its hub. Pierre, the capital, sits on the river in the middle.
What both halves share is distance. Outside the two largest cities, towns are small and spread out, and a specialist of almost any kind can be an hour or more away. That is the practical reason video mentoring fits here: a student in a small town gets the same weekly mentor as a student in Sioux Falls, and nobody spends an afternoon in the car.
How people make a living here
- Agriculture. Corn, soybeans, wheat and cattle shape the rural economy and the rhythm of many families.
- Financial services. Sioux Falls has long been home to banking and credit card operations, a big source of office jobs.
- Health care. Large health systems in Sioux Falls and Rapid City are among the biggest employers in the state.
- Tourism. Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills and Badlands National Park draw visitors every summer.
- Military. An Air Force base near Rapid City is a major presence in western South Dakota.
School, college and the question of leaving
Most South Dakota students attend public schools, many of them small enough that a graduating class fits in one room. There are some private and parochial schools, mostly in the larger towns. After high school, students choose among the state’s public universities, technical colleges and a handful of private and tribal colleges, while a steady share head across the border to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska or farther.
Leaving a small town for a campus of thousands is a big step, and so is staying home and starting work at eighteen. A mentor helps a student think through both paths before senior year forces the decision.
Where a mentor makes a difference
High school students
Small schools are close communities, but they offer fewer electives and fewer adults with time for one student’s plans. A mentor meets weekly to build study routines, plan for work, college or the trades, and keep the student accountable. See mentoring for high school students.
College students
Whether the student stays in South Dakota or goes out of state, the first year brings new freedom and new ways to fall behind. Our college student mentoring keeps classes, money and routines on track.
Young adults and professionals
Some young adults return to the family farm or business; others want to move to Sioux Falls or out of state for work. A mentor helps turn that choice into weekly steps. See young adult mentoring.
How it works from South Dakota
Start with the five-minute assessment. Someone on our team reads it and sets up a free intro call, and from there you are matched with one mentor. Sessions run 30 or 60 minutes by video, on a weekly or monthly plan, at a time that fits school, chores or a work shift.
Parents of high school students join the intro call, agree the goals and get regular progress updates. Learn more about how online mentoring works, our approach for families, or browse mentoring in every state.
Pages for areas in South Dakota
- Online mentoring in Sioux Falls
- Online mentoring in Omaha (nearby in Nebraska)
- Online mentoring in Minneapolis (nearby in Minnesota)
Related
Common questions
Which time zone are sessions scheduled in?
Your own. Sioux Falls and most of East River are on Central time; Rapid City and much of West River are on Mountain time. We confirm your time zone before the first session.
Will a slow rural internet connection work?
Usually, yes. Video works on most home connections and on a phone, and if a call drops, the mentor can finish by phone.
Can a mentor work around harvest or calving season?
Yes. Plans run week to week or month to month, and session times can shift when farm or ranch work gets heavy.
Get started
Want to talk about a student or young adult in South Dakota? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.