Date: Fri 12-Apr-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

shadowing-program-school

Full Text:

with photo... Shadowing Program Shows Students Careers From The Inside Out

B Y S TEVE B IGHAM

Besides Chelsea's friends, few high school students actually get to meet

President Bill Clinton. But, by chance, Newtown High School junior Andrew

Cozens did through the NHS Career Shadowing program.

Hoping to some day become a pilot, Andrew recently spent a day at Stewart Air

Force Base in Newburg, New York with Col Dana Demand getting an inside look at

life as an Air Force pilot. By being in the right place at the right time, he

got to meet President Clinton, who had landed at the base on his way to a

speech on education in New Jersey.

The NHS Career Shadowing program began three years ago to assist juniors and

seniors in their search to find out what career direction they wish to go in.

Jane McEvoy, of the school's Career Center, matches students with

professionals who are willing to share a work day with students. As Mrs McEvoy

points out, people are better off choosing careers based on experiences rather

than misconceptions.

Of course, not every NHS student gets to meet Mr Clinton during a day of

career shadowing, but the exposure to a particular field usually helps

students better understand the challenges faced in that profession and the

skills needed to succeed.

To get involved in the program, students must simply fill out a goal sheet

explaining what career they'd like to spend the day observing. Mrs McEvoy then

takes care of the matchmaking.

"When Mrs McEvoy asked me if I'd be interested in spending a day shadowing a

pilot, I halfheartedly said, `yes,'" Andrew recalled. "The next thing I know

I'm at Stewart Air Force Base learning about flying in the military. It eurned

out to be a great experience and I'm glad I went."

More than 100 professionals volunteered to career shadow last year, evidence

that more and more people are realizing that education is the responsibility

of the entire community, not just the schools' and their teachers.

"It's so helpful to these students' lives. Even a day can make a difference,"

Mrs McEvoy said of the Career Shadowing program. "The kids are so appreciative

of the fact that someone is willing to spend the day with them."

The Career Center director said she's found the program, the brainchild of NHS

guidance counselor Don Elliot, to be a rewarding experience for both the

student and the professional.

Col Demand, a pilot with the New York Air National Guard and former Air Force

pilot, said he found Andrew's visit to be very productive.

"I was just saying to my wife the other day that this would have been nice to

do when I was 16 years old. I'm very excited about it and would be happy to do

it again," explained the Sandy Hook resident and former Desert Storm pilot.

Nick Perrone, a junior, spent last Friday in the Danbury Hospital emergency

room with trauma specialist William Begg of Newtown, seeing first-hand the

daily pressures faced in treating patients suffering serious injuries and

illnesses.

In looking the part, Nick actually wore a white coat, similar to what doctors

wear.

"Because I had the coat on, people would come up to me and ask me questions

and I would say, `I'm just a high school kid,'" he recalled.

Nick, who shadowed Newtown resident and hand surgeon, Dr Lionel Brown this

past fall, said he wanted to work alongside Dr Begg for the entire 12-hour

shift so as to gain the full effect of what it's like in ER.

Dr Begg said he participated in a career shadowing day at Bridgeport Hospital

as a freshman in college and felt the experience made a big impression on him.

"I think it's a great opportunity for students. Nick really had a good day. He

saw a wide variety of emergencies, including somebody passing a kidney stone,

another guy who fell off a roof, a miscarriage, and someone who came in

flat-lined."

Senior Jay Brooker spent his career shadowing day with David Nathan at the

Palace Production Center in South Norwalk where he got an inside look at the

what it's like to work in the multimedia business.

"I thought it was a real good experience. I'm looking at going into that

field. At first I saw it as one big thing, but seeing it up close helped break

it down into different categories," he explained.

The program officially began last year when 65 students were sent out on

shadowing assignments, but its roots took hold two years ago when seven

students were matched up with professionals. So far, 40 kids have been sent

out this year.

Alan Higginson spent a day this year at the Skip Barber School of Racing;

Andrea Tarka learned about puppeteering at the University of Connecticut; and

Marguerite Roundy spent a day dairy farming at Newtown Paproski farm. Chrissy

Barnum and Chris Bassett spent time shadowing at Meadows Music Theater in

Hartford, then stuck around for the "Bush" concert, while Jeff Mapen and Laura

McClure joined local writer Steve Grant at The Hartford Courant .

"If anything, it gets them thinking even if it doesn't get their life going in

a certain direction," explained Mrs McEvoy.

Afterall, there's no substitute for experience when it comes to assessing

career choices.

For more information on Career Shadowing, call the NHS Career Center at

426-1915.