ALBUQUERQUE, NM, Feb. 3, 2019: About 925 students from five area school districts will visit 30 different work sites during Groundhog Job Shadow Week (GJSW) Feb. 3-7, 2020. Visits during the week provide students with opportunities to learn about the company they visit, understand education and job requirements, and practice interviewing.
Students represent charter and traditional public high schools from around the city, and Sandoval and Valencia Counties. In 2018, 325 students participated in GJSW with 15 employers. In 2019, that number doubled to 650 students and 30 employers.
“We have to give students an opportunity to learn about the different types of careers that exist in their community to help them identify their interests and make smart choices about their future,” explains Jessica Nojek, United Way of Central New Mexico’s Mission: Graduate executive director. “This could be the motivator that reengages the student and encourages them to stay in school to get the education they need to get the job they want.”
Following a Junior Achievement curriculum, employers customize a set of discussions and experiences for students to learn about the different jobs within each company. Activities include touring a facility, networking, participating in mock interviews, and learning about the culture, policies, and ethics of the organization.
“We are grateful to our participating central New Mexico employers and educators who have joined together for Groundhog Job Shadow Week 2020,” says Erin Hagenow, Junior Achievement president. “Students and our economy thrive when the community unites to offer crucial work readiness skills and meaningful career exploration opportunities to New Mexico’s young people.
Participating employers include: AT&T, AUI Inc, Adelante, Albuquerque Public Schools, Bernalillo County, Bradbury Stamm Construction, Chavez-Grieves Consulting Engineers, City of Albuquerque, Comcast, Delta Dental, Dekker/Perich/Sabatini, Explora, Enterprise Holdings, Fidelity Investments, French Funerals & Cremations, Jabil, Kirtland Air Force Base, Lovelace Health Systems, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, PNM, Rio Grande Jewelry Supply, Rural Sourcing, Sandia National Laboratories, Southwest Labs, T-Mobile, TLC Plumbing & Utility, US Eagle Federal Credit Union, United Way of Central New Mexico, Visit ABQ, and Wells Fargo
GJSW is a partnership between United Way of Central New Mexico’s Mission: Graduate and Junior Achievement of New Mexico. Shadow experiences are made possible through sponsorship by State Farm, PNM, Sandia National Laboratories, Lovelace Health Systems, and AT&T.
Mission: Graduate is the education initiative of United Way of Central New Mexico. UWCNM was founded in 1934 and serves a four-county region. Its mission is to bring people and resources together to measurably improve lives and strengthen our communities. To learn more, visit www.uwcnm.org or call 505-247-3671.
Junior Achievement of New Mexico, Inc. is the state’s largest economic education organization for young people. Junior Achievement uses hands-on experiences to help young people understand the economics of life. In partnership with business and educators, Junior Achievement brings the real world to students, opening their minds to their potential.
