Job Shadowing at Healdsburg High School

Students at Healdsburg High School have the opportunity to participate in a program called Job Shadowing, originally established by the Sonoma County School-to-Career Partnership. This program, which is offered in early February each year, provides students an opportunity to become engaged with the world of work with caring mentors in their community. Students typically spend a partial or a full day exploring a career of their interest. Students are connected with businesses in Healdsburg, if possible, with some students going to other Sonoma County locations as well.

The program goals include:

* To demonstrate the connection between academics and careers

* To build community partnerships between schools and businesses

* To introduce students to the requirements of professions and industries

* To encourage an ongoing relationship between young people and caring adults.

At HHS, students go through the following steps:

* Fill out an application for job shadowing in the Career Center or with Workability indicating a field of interest

* Once a student is matched with a participating business, he/she fills out a field trip permission form signed by parents and teachers.

* Students attend an orientation on their role in participating, proper attire, preparation of interview questions and follow-up activities.

Role of the Workplace Host

The community of Healdsburg has been very responsive to working with the students. This year the Rotary Club is supporting Job Shadowing by creating a list of interested businesses. The role of the workplace host is critical to the success of the job shadow experience. Students of all abilities are placed in job shadows. Businesses that choose to participate should consider some of the following criteria before they commit to sponsoring a student:

* They should show a desire to work with students and introduce them to the positive aspects of work.

* Have the ability to work with students of different educational, economic, cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds.

* Show students the relevance of English, math, problem solving and other basic skills to the day-to-day work, linking learning to earning.

* Show students the importance of teamwork; how each person and department plays an important role in the production or service delivery process.

* Dedicate part of the workday to the student and remain fully available to that student during that visit.

* Give students explanations of workplace safety and security policies and procedures

* Help students understand skills needed for the job.

* Demonstrate and explain effective work methods.

* Complete a short workplace host evaluation form upon the conclusion of the visit.

Those students who have participated in job shadowing typically return excited about their experience and ask to go again! If you are interested in participating, as a student or business, please call Laurie Nimmo at the Career Center @ 431-3473 or Mary Ann Ciavonne with Workability @ 431-3420.

By Pat Louvau