This article appeared in the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce's News section of their website.
01/27/2006 JOB SHADOW DAY PAIRS STUDENTS, BUSINESSES FOR HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE
|
|
| Pictured are, from left, Jennifer Blankenship, veterinary assistant; Dr. Lewis, patient Laya, a black Laborador; Donde, Nunez, and Andrew Ridings, a veterinary assistant. |
The Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce partnered with Montgomery Public Schools, Partners In Education and businesses across the community to provide job shadowing opportunities for 73 high school students on Friday, Jan. 27, in conjunction with national Groundhog Job Shadow Day. The event begins Job Shadowing 2006, the Chamber’s yearlong initiative to host students in the workplace.
Holly Donde, a junior at Lee High School, and Rosario Nunez, a senior at Lee, visited the Bell Road Animal Medical Center, hosted by Dr. Eric Lewis. The students learned about a variety of veterinary services, and were able to witness patient examinations and treatments, and observed a canine spay surgery and tooth extraction. In addition, Dr. Lewis discussed business issues such as practice management, human resources and financial planning with the students.
"It makes you realize that being a vet is a lot more than getting to be around animals," Nunez said. "Watching surgery was very interesting, and it makes you feel for the animal and what all is involved and what it needs to recover."
"It’s also about paychecks and bills," Donde added. "Business and just keeping things working and understanding about what things cost and why."
This is the sixth year the Chamber has organized this event. Students are required to complete a challenging application process that requires them to conduct career research and submit a resume and application before being accepted to participate in the program.
"The application process gives the partnership sponsoring this event an opportunity to strengthen its quality," said Christie Sellers, Director of Workforce Development & Business Services for the Chamber. "Students can more clearly see the connection between what they learn in the classroom with what they learn on the job, and be thinking more about the day and preparing for it. It creates a better event for the students and for the business volunteers hosting them for the day."
Students from Montgomery public high schools and Central Alabama OIC had the opportunity to experience what it would be like to work in a chosen career field for one day. For many students, this is a wonderful time to establish their first relationships to the professional and business community and be mentored by a caring adult in a career area that interests them.
Job shadowing is an academically motivating activity designed to give Montgomery students an up-close look at the world of work and to answer the question, "Why do I have to learn this?"
For more information or a list of participating businesses and contact information, contact Christie Sellers at 334-240-9292 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .