February 2, 2014 is Groundhog Day, but another thing will be on the minds of WHBHS juniors, National Job Shadowing Day.

The day started with the National Job Shadow Coalition, to “encourage young people across the country to explore their futures through career awareness and mentoring opportunities.” Job shadowing is an academically motivating activity designed to give students an up-close look at the world of work and to answer the question, “Why do I have to learn this?”

Throughout the month of February, which is deemed National Job Shadowing Month, our Business Advisory Board will provide this free program to all juniors. The business advisory board is a group of business people, student representatives, teachers, and principal Mr. Herr. They meet monthly to organize business education programs for each grade (i.e. the Senior Skills Breakfast and the Sophomore Career Café).

Business teacher Mrs. Demchak said, “This is a great program for juniors since they’re getting close to college. Job shadowing has the power to confirm your job choice or change your mind.”

The job shadowing program has been held for 11 years, and this February the junior class gets to take advantage of it. Although participation is free, students must have their own transportation. Most jobs are local, but some may be up-island or in the city.

Job shadowing has some great benefits. Mrs. Demchak said, “Students can really get a firsthand look at the job. They spend an entire day with the employer. Instead of just sitting home and googling or researching a career they really get to see what the job is actually like.”

Junior Emma Galasso may go to NBC in the city this February. She said, “I am job shadowing for broadcast journalism. I want to be a TV anchor. I hope to gain a lot more skills than I already know. There are so many things that I have learned and still need to learn, and I am looking forward to that! I anticipate to collaborate with a lot of the people I will be meeting and make connections for my future, and of course, learn all about my future job field.”

Juniors who want to take a day and look into their future possible job should take advantage of this amazing opportunity.