Trumbull Students "Work" To Gain Insight Into Their Future

by Gene Miller

For the past three years, students from Trumbull High School, in Connecticut, have had the opportunity to try out their career dreams. Job Shadowing, a program developed by a group of local business leaders and educators at Trumbull High, was created to give students a better understanding of what skills they need to succeed in the business world, thereby better preparing them for a choice career. Assigned to real work experiences, these students are granted a unique hands-on opportunity to discover whether what they believe they want to pursue as a lifetime career, is, in fact what they really WANT to pursue as a career goal. Job Shadowing additionally enables students to have a better idea of where they want to go to college and what major would best prepare them for their career.

Job Shadowing first started in Trumbull High because many business leaders and educators felt students were not adequately prepared for the "real world." These one day mini-internships or workshop programs allow students to see how they can apply their book knowledge. Although a day of school is sacrificed, many teachers are in favor of this program because they feel it is necessary for students to get a taste of what the real world is like. Students at Trumbull High can "shadow" an unlimited number of careers, but they first must express an honest interest in the field of their choice.

While this privilege is an eye-opening opportunity, students' career dreams can become sleep walks for some of the participants. Not everyone discovers that the career of their choice is in fact something that will be appealing in the long-term. On the other hand, the knowledge gained from Job Shadowing experiences can be immeasurable. Many students find out that the jobs they wish to pursue are perfectly suitable. They learn what skills would be important to develop in college or at a trade school.