The shadow learns

WARWICK — More than over 150 people, representing businesses and students, attended a kick-off meeting in the cafeteria of the Warwick Valley High School last Thursday evening, April 4.

It was an opportunity for local area students and business owners to meet each other in preparation for this year’s Job Shadowing Program.

Job shadowing gives students an opportunity to observe a business owner or professional as he or she goes about daily work activities.

The purpose of job shadowing is to observe an employee in the career field of the student’s interest in order to learn about the business, industry or profession.

The experience may increase the student’s enthusiasm or, in some cases, result in a change of heart in a career choice.

Job shadowing is purely observational and is not work. An employee may give the students a tour of the facility and introduce staff but in most cases simply go about the daily routine as they take notes for a subsequent report.

The 2013 Job Shadow Program is sponsored by the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with Warwick Valley High School, S.S. Seward High School and George F. Baker High School in Tuxedo.

“Our job shadowing opportunity,” said Warwick Chamber Treasurer Doug Stage, “allows our students to go out into the field of interest and gain some knowledge. These students gain realistic experience in his or her career choice and have an opportunity to expand their knowledge in their field of interest.”

90+ students participating
This year there are more than 90 students participating in the program; a significant increase since the program started five years ago. The program is coordinated by a committee of chamber volunteers and school representatives led by Stage, Marci Oakley, Sherry Bukovcan, Barbara Fink and Diane Rowe.

Representing the schools are Barbara Scheibling of the Florida District, Christina Murphy-Colgan and Nancy Scheinert of the Warwick Valley School District, Frank Acetta and Katelyn Diana of the Tuxedo School District and Bill Sweet of the Tuxedo Chamber of Commerce.

After completing a survey indicating their area of interest, students are matched with business owners in the area who generously donate their time.

Some of the fields that the students will be shadowing are pharmacology, finance, handwriting analysis, environmental and chemical engineering, physical and occupational therapy and medical law.

The Chamber Job Shadowing Committee seeks additional committee members from the local business community for this program.