Job Shadow Day Kickoff Set for February 2 at Rio Grande Valley Partnership
Tuesday, January 12, 2010

On February 2, 2010, Rio Grande Valley employers and students will focus on Groundhog Day, but not on the weather! A press conference hosted by Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership will kick off a series of Job Shadow Day events that will continue throughout the spring. Student "shadows" from partnering school districts, with employers and community leaders, will participate in the event. The program is supported by cities, counties, school districts, colleges, universities, business and community leaders, television stations, and other media. Event details are as follows:

Who: Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley and the Rio Grande Valley Partnership

What: Groundhog Job Shadow Day "Kickoff" Press Conference

When: Tuesday, February 2, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where: Board Room, Rio Grande Valley Partnership, 322 South Missouri Avenue, Weslaco

By the end of the spring, hundreds of Rio Grande Valley students will have gained valuable perspective by learning firsthand how the skills they are learning in school are applied in working life. In a Job Shadow Day experience, a student "shadows" an employer or employee as he or she works through a normal day on the job, observing actual workplace experiences in a wide variety of fields. Experiences with employers during Job Shadow Day events help Rio Grande Valley students to understand the relevance of their academic studies, so that students are motivated to excel. In addition, employers have the opportunity to showcase their businesses and emphasize the importance of education, encouraging students to pursue higher-level academics and postsecondary education.

According to Sergio Contreras, chairman of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, “Job shadowing is a terrific way to give students exposure to professional life and help them understand how developing productive habits in school can facilitate future success.” Contreras, who serves as external affairs director for AT&T, is well-versed in the benefits of this type of program through his involvement with AT&T’s successful Aspire/Job Shadow program aimed at reducing high school dropout rates.

Tech Prep RGV, which is a partnership between education and business that prepares young people for today's skilled workforce, has been spearheading Job Shadow initiatives in this region for several years. State Representative Armando “Mando” Martinez praised the efforts of Tech Prep and the other participating organizations: “Tech Prep has done a tremendous job organizing and developing this program, and the high level of support and participation within the business community has been critical to its success. The Annual Job Shadow Day program presents an opportunity for students to gain access and insight into what could be their future careers.”

Employers and community leaders can contribute to Job Shadow Day activities in any of the following ways:

• By participating in the Groundhog Job Shadow Day "kickoff" press conference described above.

• By having a personal "student shadow" Groundhog Day or later in the spring.

• By encouraging other employers and community leaders throughout the region to host students for Job Shadow Day events on Groundhog Day or later in the spring--helping Tech Prep and the Partnership to secure additional employer placements for all Job Shadow Day activities.

Contact Martha Gutierrez at Tech Prep or Veronica Villegas at the Partnership for additional information.