Approximately 50 Frenship High School students traded in their Presidents’ Day holiday for a chance to explore potential career opportunities through job shadowing. This is the fourth year Frenship has held a job shadow day that allows students to connect with professionals and experience a real workday firsthand.

The job shadowing opportunity is open to juniors and seniors who have taken at least one of the 85 Career and Technical Education courses offered by Frenship. In order to be paired with a local business, the students must show an interest in a specific career pathway and submit an application outlining their interests and possible career goals.

“Our local community has been amazing to work with! Businesses arrange their schedules, make special accommodations and plan extra fun activities for our students to see and do,” said Frenship CTE Coordinator Amy Baker. “They see the value in providing mentorship and observation experiences for our future work force.”

This year, students were able to spend the day with local businesses to explore a wide range of careers including law enforcement, vet science, orthodontics, animation, business law, physical therapy, mechanics, professional film studios, foster care organizations, architecture and much more. Later this week, students will have the opportunity to shadow Judge Kara Darnell to experience court room proceedings and learn the ins and outs of finance partnering with City Bank.

“We have 8-10 years of school ahead of us, and because of the job shadow today, I am confident the years of schooling will be worth it,” said Jenny a senior who job shadowed at Key Animal Clinic. “CTE courses have been helpful! I was not as surprised as I thought I would be today because we have learned some of the basics in class.”

Through the partnerships with local businesses and organizations, Frenship students were able to network with professionals and see realistic requirements and skills needed for their career choice.

“It is often an experience they never forget, and one that I am confident will have an impact on their future schooling or career plan,” said Baker. “I am so thankful for the support from our local business owners and community who have participated as a job shadow host at any time in the past four years. We couldn’t provide this kind of experience without you!”