Rio Grande Valley Partnership and Tech Prep Team Up for Job Shadowing
Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Job shadowing is important! Students’ lives are changed through the experience of visiting actual worksites. It is for that reason that the regional chamber of commerce—the Rio Grande Valley Partnership—and Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley team up once each year for the beginning of Job Shadow Days that begin on Groundhog Day and continue throughout the spring. Student "shadows" from partnering school districts, with employers and community leaders, will participate in the event.

The Job Shadow Days program is supported by cities, counties, school districts, colleges, universities, business and community leaders, television stations, and other media.

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.”

Cities and counties presented proclamations supporting Job Shadow Day activities. Pictured from left to right are, Juan Gonzalez, Human Resourses Administrator, McAllen; Erika G. Reyna, Economic Development Planner I from Hidalgo County Judge's office; Sandra Avila, President, South Texas Career & Technical Education Association; Pat Bubb, Executive Director of Tech Prep RGV, Bernardina (Nina) Garcia, Executive Assistant; Larry Galbreath, City Commissioner for Harlingen, Joe Vasquez, Vice President, Board of Directors, Tech Prep of the Rio Grande Valley; Severo Ochoa Fire Chief, San Benito; Sergio Contreras, External Affairs Director for AT&T