Job shadows give young people a chance to experience and relate to the world of work, get excited about a career field so they want to succeed in school, and develop connections for future internships and employment. Youth need positive career experiences because "nationally, 88% of high school students who drop out have passing grades but are bored with school, see no reason to get a diploma, and need money". (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation report 2006).
Youth need positive career experiences because "nationally, 88% of high school students who drop out have passing grades but are bored with school, see no reason to get a diploma, and need money". (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation report 2006).
Middle school, high school, and college students from across the Portland, OR metro area will participate in this two day event, where they will receive the opportunity to explore their career interests and get real world perspectives from experts in their fields. Youth attend an orientation and mini-skills training, participate in a job shadow with local businesses, and end with a celebration and recap event to celebrate their engagement in the workplace with career-relevant businesses.
Teens in the USA today get discouraged by the time they are seniors in high school because they see no hope for their futures when they cannot even get a job. With a teen unemployment rate of 31%, they have good reason to be discouraged. The 1st Annual Groundhog Day Job Shadow will connect 100 teens with businesses and mentors that will encourage them to pursue their career dreams, graduate high school, succeed in college, and become productive adults with a meaningful career.
