Teenage Expert on Job Shadowing Offers Career Advice
Many schools require students to participate in job shadow experiences to gain exposure to various careers. One teenage has participated in 50 job shadows across the country, and documented her experiences in a book.
Tacoma, WA (PRWEB) January 30, 2005 -- Each February, Punxsutawney Phil gets
nation wide publicity as he looks for his shadow on Groundhog Day. On February
2, over one million students will look at possible careers while participating
in National Job Shadow Day.15 year-old Sondra Clark did more than simply observe
one person on the job. She spent a year traveling across the US with her parents
in an RV, doing research for a book on job shadowing. The young teen spent her
days shadowing Shamu’s trainer at SeaWorld. She watched a master designer create
giant Lego structures at LegoLand and helped a Broadway theater critic write his
review of a play at Madison Square Gardens.
The whole concept of job
shadowing has even produced a designated “holiday”. Now in its eighth year,
National Job Shadow Day program encourages students to spend February 2
shadowing an adult on the job. Many schools require students to participate in
job shadowing experiences as a graduation requirement.
Clark, who
published Cool Careers in Parks and Recreation encourages teens to job shadow
people in their community. “I was amazed at how many people offered me jobs
after I job shadowed them”, said Clark. “Of course, they all said I had to
finish college first!” Clark’s varied experiences gave her the chance to feed
goats at a petting zoo, participate with a family therapist who uses horses in
his practice and help design girl’s underwear for Lands’ End. “So often, kids
make career choices because of a popular TV shadow. Right now colleges are
getting requests from students wanting to go into interior design, because of
shows like Trading Spaces”, said Clark. She encourages students to spend time
with people in a wide variety of careers. “You can job shadow someone anytime of
the year. It doesn’t have to be on National Job Shadow Day. Who knows? It could
lead to a summer job or internship.”
Clark’s book, Cool Careers in Parks
and Recreation, describes her experiences job shadowing 25 people in various
recreation-related careers. Available on www.amazon.com or www.sondraclark.com
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/1/prweb202885.htm