(February 7, 2024) All this week, companies and businesses throughout Rochester are hosting students as part of a job shadow experience for scholars interested in pursuing careers after high school and college.
Seniors in high school are visiting more than 40 businesses across Monroe County to see firsthand the type of work done at different companies ranging from software development, health and science to broadcasting.
Jakeem Riggs, a senior at James Monroe Upper School, spent part of his day on Wednesday, February 7, touring Mindex, a software development company based on Alexander Street in the City of Rochester.
“I am interested in technology because I want to be a cyber security major. Through this job shadow experience, I have more exposure to something that engages me and makes me pay attention to detail,” said Riggs. “I have taken a couple of classes to expand my horizons, including computer science and computer science principles, and I have seen how much you have to pay close attention when writing code.”
“Just having the experience and connecting with the companies opens your eyes to different possibilities,” said Sheldon Cox, Executive Director of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Department for the Rochester City School District. “We have already had a couple of students who have called us after graduation and told us they are now working at the company or in a training program where they had their job shadow. That motivates me to do these kinds of things for students.”
CTE programs in the RCSD provide high school students with academic and technical skills, knowledge, and the training necessary to succeed in future careers. As part of the CTE program, it is a goal for students to obtain 54 hours of workplace learning, which includes job shadowing, co-ops, and internships. Students who graduate from CTE programs have multiple options for their future, including continuing their education at colleges and universities, entering the workforce, or participating in technical training.
