LMS Students Shadow 43 Businesses

On April 3, Lebanon Middle School 8th grade students joined schools around the Upper Valley to shadow nearly 100 employers in the annual Job Shadow Day program – a part of the Continuum of Career Development designed by Careers CLiC. Job Shadow Day builds on students’ understanding of the world of work and helps them make the connection between classroom learning and skills used in the workplace while allowing the opportunity to explore careers that relate to their personal interests. Students prepare for Job Shadow Day by reviewing how occupations defined by the US Department of Labor fit within the 16 National Career Clusters®. Students then complete an interest inventory that encourages consideration of their individual strengths, experiences, and preferences relating to work environments. Students are matched with workplace hosts who introduce them to the organization, the industry and the different jobs at the work site. Students learn about the skills needed in the workplace through activities, facility tours and demonstrations that illustrate what it takes to be successful in a variety of career fields. Hundreds of local workplaces are proud to be a part of this engaging community program. Workplace hosts volunteer their time year after year and look forward to sharing their expertise with Lebanon students. Career planning is a life-long endeavor and job shadowing is a valuable first step to research options. During their time in the community, students learn about the occupations that await them after graduation. Lebanon Middle School students learn valuable lessons that will further develop and guide their career planning as they transition into high school and consider the range of opportunities that will help to build the foundation for their future.