Employees of the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) had students eagerly watching their every move on May 21 as SCOE students participated in a Job Shadow Day.
The event provided eleven students from Leo A. Palmiter Jr./Sr. High School and Elinor Lincoln Hickey Jr./Sr. High School with an opportunity to observe SCOE employees on the job and introduce students to possible career paths.
"Job-shadowing is a great career-exploration activity for middle-school and high-school students to help them begin to learn about possible career paths," said David W. Gordon, Sacramento County Superintendent of Schools.
Job Shadow Day was organized by the SCOE WorkAbility Program. WorkAbility is a training program for special needs students and is designed to promote career awareness and exploration while students complete their secondary education program. The program provides comprehensive pre-employment training, employment placement and follow-up for high school students in special education who are making the transition from school to work, independent living and post-secondary education or training.
"Shadowing creates a critical link between education and success and provides students with exciting reasons why they should stay in school," said Tim Taylor, Assistant Superintendent for Court and Community Schools, and ROP.
Students participating in the event are involved in the LINKS program. LINKS is a SCOE career technical education program aimed at helping high-risk students succeed. Services are tailored to individual students based on their specific needs instead of through traditional, scripted education. The LINKS model focuses on setting bold goals and creating student success plans relevant to career aspirations, enhancing career education, providing job opportunities, building strong partnerships with education agencies and the business community, and connecting students to adult mentors who provide supportive guidance.
For more information about SCOE's WorkAbility Program contact Job Developer Debi Lauer at (916) 566-2001.