Job Shadow Coalition Predicts One Million Student Shadows Beginning on February 2^nd

7th Annual Job Shadow Day on Groundhog Day

Washington, DC (January 22, 2004)—The Job Shadow Coalition estimates one million students across the country will participate in the 7th Annual Job Shadow Initiative beginning on February 2nd; Groundhog Day.

“Once again, we are seeing thousands of businesses, schools, government agencies, non-profits, and individuals stepping forward to help young people experience the world of work through Job Shadow ing,” said Stuart Shapiro, Executive Director of the Job Shadow Coalition. “We anticipate this being another tremendous year for this effort.”

The following are just a few of the Job Shadow activities taking place around the country in the coming weeks:

Illinois

The North Suburban Library System (NSLS) in Wheeling, Illinois, is hosting its first Job Shadow event. Representing over 650 public, academic, school and special libraries, NSLS is working with surrounding high schools to introduce students to the vast opportunities that are available through careers in librarianship. To find out more, visit www.nsls.info/jobshadow/.

Georgia

Junior Achievement of Georgia plans to reach over 1,250 students statewide on February 2, 2004. Seven cities in Georgia, including Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, and Savannah, will host kick-off events to launch a year-long Job Shadow program. The Junior Achievement of Georgia goal for 2004 is to impact over 6,000 students across the state. Participants include Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue; Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor; U.S. Representatives Jim Marshall, Denise Majette, and David Scott; and August Mayor Bob Young.

California

Plans are underway in San Diego to connect over 4,000 students to worksite mentors this year through Groundhog Job Shadow Day, starting on February 2, 2004. The San Diego Workforce Partnership is a lead partner with the San Diego Junior Achievement office to assist with the coordination and planning with local high schools, community colleges and the San Diego Youth @ Work partners. Currently more than 500 businesses are signed up to participate.

Washington, DC

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is planning its Job Shadow Day activities for February 6, 2004. Last year, DOL recruited 120 volunteers/mentors and hosted 115 young people from the Woodland and Potomac Job Corps Center, the D.C. Youth Opportunity Program, and the Department’s three D.C. school partners: Friendship Edison Public Charter School, Adams Elementary School and the Hart Middle School. This year DOL expects to exceed that number of students. For older youth, the Department will be hosting a short Career Exploration workshop for them and their mentors. This will consist of receiving a guided tour with the computer program Career Voyages and a Career workshop from internal DOL Career Counselors who have put together a presentation geared toward the older youth.

For the latest on Job Shadow events across the country, visit www.jobshadow.org/about_program/sstories.html

Job Shadowing

Job Shadow is a yearlong national effort to enrich the lives of students by acquainting them with the world of work through on-the-job experiences and a carefully crafted school curriculum that ties academics to the workplace. The effort helps young people understand how what they learn in the classroom leads to success in the workplace.

Kicking off on Groundhog Day, February 2, 2004, more than one million young people will have a chance to explore their futures when they “shadow” workplace mentors as part of the seventh annual Job Shadow Day initiative. National Job Shadow is a coordinated effort of Junior Achievement, America’s Promise - The Alliance for Youth, and the U.S. Department of Labor. Monster, News Corporation, and the American Hotel and Lodging Association are the major co-sponsors. For more information, go to www.jobshadow.org.

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