Requirements for Career Awareness Program (CAP)

Job Shadow Project

Freshman Year: Career Cruiser

Sophomore Year: Career Fair/Paper & Presentation

Junior Year: Job Shadow Project

  • Make a job shadow choice
  • Contact job shadow site and complete Job Shadow Request Form to be approved by administration
  • Complete Job Site Placement Agreement Form and select a work date with your site for the job shadow experience
  • Attend agreed upon workday for job shadowing and complete Job Shadow Experience Log

*You have eight weeks to arrange and complete the above bulleted components.

*You will then use all of your collected information to complete the graduation requirement according to the format in the booklet and discussed in class.

Dear Parent/Guardian:

The GreensburgSalemSchool District started the Career Awareness Program (CAP) in the 2004-2005 school year. The vision of this program is to develop and implement a career awareness program that will impact student achievement and motivation. This program integrates current curriculum enabling students to understand the importance of academic success to future career goals. All students were required to complete the Freshman Seminar course in their freshman year. In their sophomore year, requirements included attending a school-sponsored career fair and researching various careers within the classroom.

This year as a junior graduation requirement, each student is responsible for completing a job shadowing experience. This is a learning experience that takes place at a job site in the community during which a student spends a day one-on-one with an employee. The goal of this component is to provide an understanding of the connection between school and future careers. Students will have a binder that includes all information pertaining to this project.

Each child is responsible for:

  • Choosing and contacting placement site—this may not be a relative, current employer, or teacher at the high school
  • Arranging a day for the job shadowing, which may be one school approved day
  • Providing their own transportation to and from the job site
  • Completing the site visit within eight weeks
  • Completing the Job Shadow Exhibition

As parent/guardian, you will be required to:

  • Sign and approve the Job Shadow Request Form
  • Sign and approve the College, School, Job Site Visitation Request Form

Students received a booklet this week. If you have questions concerning this project, please refer to the student booklet. If you need further assistance, please contact: Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Tammy Wolicki (724) 832-2991.

Parent/guardian:______

Student’s Name:______

Date:______

What is Job Shadowing?

Definition:

A job shadow is a learning experience that takes place at a job site in the community during which a student spends a day one-on-one with an employee.

Process:

During a job shadow, the student follows an employee through a typical day. The student will be required to observe and to ask questions about the employee’s job. Written assignments will demonstrate what they see, hear, and learn from the experience.

Objectives:

The ultimate goal of this experience is to provide an understanding of the connection between school and careers. This is an independent student experience within the junior English curriculum.

Students will:

  • Observe the daily routine of job site employee
  • Gain an awareness of the academic, technical and personal skills required by the particular job
  • Realize that different jobs are characterized by different work environments
  • Develop and apply communication skills by interacting with and interviewing workers
  • Understand the connection between school, work, and your goals for the future
  • Use information from the job shadow experience to create a Job Shadow Exhibition

Roles and Responsibilities of the Student

  • Choose and contact a placement site
  • Arrange a day to participate actively in the job shadow activities
  • Provide own transportation
  • Observe all safety rules and adhere to the job site’s policies
  • Adhere to proper behavior guidelines and dress appropriately
  • Send a thank-you letter to the job site and designated employee
  • Complete the required Job Shadow Exhibition

Making a Job Shadow Choice

Use this form to reflect and brainstorm possible job shadow experiences. Recall information you have learned dealing with careers. You have previously used Career Cruising in Freshman Seminar, and in your sophomore year, you completed a career unit. These experiences will help determine possible job shadowing opportunities.

  1. Explain two careers you have researched:
  1. Are you interested in either of these careers for your job shadowing? If so, why?
  1. Identify your three favorite high school subjects:
  1. List possible careers that utilize your favorite subjects:
  1. List possible job sites in the area that relate to your favorite subjects and possible careers:

How to Make a Connection

1. State your name, affiliation, and purpose:

Hello. This is ______(name). I’m a student at Greensburg Salem. For my junior year in English, I am required to complete a job shadowing experience where I learn about a career by following an employee through a typical workday.

2. Speak with a contact person:

Is there someone I may speak with concerning this project?

3. Setting a date:

(If you are transferred to another person, remember to restate your name, affiliation, and purpose--#1)

I am interested in a career in ______. My school gives me one school day to complete the shadowing. I must complete this assignment before (due date given). Is it possible for me to set a date to spend a day with one of your employees?

4. Request Form:

(Be sure to have your Job Shadow Request Form with you when you place the call because you must fill-out required information.)

5. Formalities:

What time should I arrive? Is there a designated parking area for visitors? Do I need to report to a specific person or a specific place? Is there a required dress code? Should I bring my own lunch?

6. Closing:

Thank you. I appreciate your help. Would you like my phone number/e-mail address in case you need to contact me? I’m looking forward to my experience on ______(restate the date).

Job Shadow Request Form

A parent/guardian and administration must approve this request. This request must be typed, free of grammatical and spelling errors, and in complete sentences. Support your choice with a minimum of three reasons for choosing this job shadow.

In the space below, please type your reasons (three) for choosing this job shadow.

Student Name: ______

Date of Submission: ______

Date of Job Shadow Experience:______

English Teacher: ______

Name of Participating Job Site:______

Complete Mailing Address:______

______

Contact Person: ______

Phone Number: ______

E-mail Address (optional):______

As the parent or guardian of the above named student, you agree to:

  • Release student from school to permit their participation in the program
  • Assure student is protected by some type of hospital insurance
  • Provide student transportation to and from the site, if needed

I have read the above responsibilities and agree to participate in the program as described.

Student: ______Date: ______

Parent: ______Date: ______

Administrator: ______Date: ______

Job Shadow Experience Log

Name: ______Date: ______

Name of Job Site: ______

Name of Employee Shadowed: ______

Job Procedures/Routine

  • Initial activities—such as, starting time, clocking in, setting up materials, interaction with others, etc.
  • Are certain specific activities done at special times? If so, what are they and at what times are they done?
  • What special problems come up occasionally that your contact person must handle? How do they handle them?
  • What types of breaks do employees receive throughout the day? Are employees permitted to leave the premises?
  • How are special situations, crisis, and/or emergencies handled?
  • How would an employee end their day? Is there a closing procedure?

Working Conditions

  • How should you dress for this job?
  • Describe the job site overall and your job shadow employee’s personal area:
  • How many people are employed at this job site?
  • Is there any special equipment that is essential for job performance?
  • List any dangerous aspects to the job—what is done to protect employees?
  • Are there union and non-union jobs? If so, describe them.
  • What are the general hours/days of the job? Is there overtime pay?
  • Is travel a required part of this job?

Compensation

Describe the compensation package for the entry level of the occupation you are shadowing—you may be able to request a packet that explains this.

Base Pay______

Commission (if applicable) ______

Benefits______

Vacation______

Holidays______

Insurance______

Additional Benefits______

  • For this particular job, explain how the compensation package changes throughout the duration of employment:
  • Is there compensation for continuing education?
  • Are there any additional perks for this job—company car, frequent flyer miles, cellular phone, laptop.

Interaction with Others

  • Does your job shadow employee:
  • Interact with other employees throughout the day? If so, how?
  • Interact with people outside of the job site?
  • Attend meetings? Presentations? Conferences?
  • Make frequent phone calls?
  • Use a computer/e-mail?

Education

  • What specific abilities/skills are required to be successful in this occupation?

High School

Post-secondary

Specialized

  • Do you need a special certification, degree, or license for this job?
  • What specific abilities/skills are required to be successful in this occupation?
  • Is continuing education required for this job?

Interesting Aspects

  • What is unique about this job?
  • Describe a particular aspect that captured your attention:
  • Are there any incentives offered for job performance?

Additional Student Generated Questions

Each student is required to have a minimum of three additional questions.

Research Component

Based upon your career choice, job shadow, or alternate career choice, respond to the research questions below. Research possible sources such as those listed below and/or websites of professional organizations associated with the career. You will be required to include findings on your slide(s) in your presentation.

Research Questions

  1. How has the use of technology in this career changed in the past? What new forms of technology are anticipated in the future? How does or will technology impact this career?
  1. What is the impact of location or region on this career? Research could include the following aspects: Geography, Culture, Demographics, Population (Rural/suburban), Economy, Job Employment Opportunities/Outlook
  1. How has this career been impacted by the recent recession? What are the economic factors that will promote or inhibit job opportunities in this career in the future?
  1. If you were to pursue this career, what would be your best options to prepare for employment? Research colleges, universities, and/or post secondary education opportunities. Justify the best choice for you.

Possible Research Sources

Databases: SIRS / Newsbank

“Keys to Work” or explore the other sites.Login: sfutures132

Password: futures

US Bureau of labor statistics. Under “Publications” click “occupational outlook handbook” Enter the career you want to research in the box next to “search the handbook”

username: gshs password: lions

Preparing to Write Your Job Shadow Thank you Letter

  1. Write the HEADING you will use for your letter. (The HEADING would be YOUR complete mailing address along with the date.)
  1. Write the INSIDE ADDRESS you will use for the letter. (The INSIDE ADDRESS is the name of the person and/ or company that allowed you to shadow them.)

______

______

______

  1. Write the SALUTATION with the correct punctuation. (The SALUTATION is the line where you address the person or company. Use “Dear” only if you know the name of the person you will be writing to.)

______

  1. Paragraph #1 (3-5 sentences)
  • Remind the reader of who you are and where you attend school
  • Briefly remind the reader about the job shadow experience.
  • Clearly state the purpose of the letter.
  • Explain that you were required to write this letter with your class after everyone finished the job shadow.

**Use the space below to write out your ideas for paragraph 1.

  1. Paragraph #2 (3-5 sentences)

Identify an interesting or positive experience that happened on your job shadow.

Explain why the above experience was interesting to you.

  1. Paragraph #3 (3-5 sentences)

Identify another interesting or positive experience that happened during your job shadow.

Explain why the above experience was interesting to you.

  1. Paragraph #4 (2-4 sentences)

You may want to include some of the following:

  • Job shadow is part of your graduation requirement.
  • A reflection paper is also required.
  • You need to do a visual as well as an oral presentation.

**Be sure to express your thanks one more time. It is important that you acknowledge that this person took time out of his/her schedule to work with you.

PowerPoint Presentation

Job Shadow Project

The final component for the 11th grade job shadow project requires that you create a PowerPoint slideshow and use that slideshow to present your job shadow day to the class.

STEP 1

Create a storyboard/outline for your presentation.

STEP 2

Create a PowerPoint.

Your PowerPoint slideshow should:

  1. Guide your presentation not BE your presentation.
  1. Inform the class about your job shadow day.
  1. Be visually appealing to your audience.
  1. Consistent of a minimum of 12 slides.
  1. Include a title page and a works cited page.
  1. Contain NO spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors.

STEP 3

Present to the class

Your presentation must achieve the following:

  1. Inform the class about your job shadow day.
  1. Be no less than 5 minutes.
  1. Be professional.
  1. Contain ONLY classroom appropriate material- language, gestures, visuals etc. Any evidence of inappropriateness will result in a score of zero. There is no exception to this rule.

PowerPoint Slide Requirements

Job Shadow Project

Your slideshow must contain the following:

Title slide

Introduction slide

  1. Attention grabber
  2. Who you shadowed
  3. Where you shadowed
  4. Explanation of job, if necessary

Job Procedures/Routine slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the six bullets on page 7 of job shadow book.

Working Conditions slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the eight bullets on

pages 7-8 of job shadow book.

Compensation slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the four bullets on

pages 8-9 of job shadow book.

Interaction with others slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the six bullets on page

9 of job shadow book.

Education slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the four bullets on

pages 9-10 of job shadow book.

Interesting aspects slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the three bullets on

page 10 of job shadow book.

Additional student generated questions slide(s)

Select information from your notes on the two bullets on

page 10 of job shadow book.

Research Component slides

Select information from your research worksheet to create a minimum of

two slides.

Conclusion slide

Are you still interested in this career? Why or why not?

Works Cited slide

Job Shadow Informational Presentation

and PowerPoint Rubric

Name: ______

Date:______

SLIDE SHOW

Minimum of 12 slides with Title and Works Cited slides_____/5

Use of specific bulleted points, not sentences (create bulleted points

by using information from your notes on pages 7-10 of job shadow book) _____/10

Consistent, non-cluttered design throughout _____/5

Sufficient/relevant/ appropriate photographs _____/5

Contrast between background and text _____/5

Readability of font/Appropriate font size _____/5

Correct spelling, grammar, and capitalization _____/10

CONTENT

Introduction contains an attention grabber _____/5

Body well organized using guidelines provided and an explanation of the job, if necessary_____/10

Content includes experiences from the job shadow and observations _____/10

Images and resources are accurately documented (Works Cited) _____/10

Includes specific details from research question(s) _____/10

Provides an ending tone about interest in the career _____/5

DELIVERY

Effective eye contact with audience/Presenter is not reading from slides._____/5

Appropriate volume _____/5

The presenter is not talking too quickly or too slowly. _____/5

Lack of fillers such as “um”, “uh”, “like”, “you know”. _____/5

The presenter uses transitions to aid the flow of the presentation. _____/5

The presenter uses effective physical delivery (no fidgeting or leaning). _____/5

The presenter uses proper voice inflection. _____/5

Evidence of rehearsal including correct pronunciation _____/5

Presentation meets the five minute time minimum. _____/5

TOTAL: ______/140

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Revised July, 2010