Job shadowing and Women’s Final Four free events
Employees from the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC), America’s Center, and Levy Restaurants recently spent the day serving as Business Role Models (BRMs) for the 2nd Annual Groundhog Job Shadow Day.
The Day is part of National Job Shadow Coalition which was formed in 1998 to encourage young people across the country to explore their futures through career awareness and mentoring opportunities. Locally, it is also “an academically motivating activity designed to give students the unique opportunity of an up-close look at the world of work,” said Shonda Gray, program manager with the St. Louis Public Schools Division of Career and Technical Education.
The day-long event began with more than 30 students from the following high schools: Beaumont, Central Visual & Performing Arts, Roosevelt, Clyde C. Miller, and Vashon speaking with Kitty Ratcliffe, CVC president, about the CVC’s mission and the daily responsibilities of a president.
Inquisitive student Jeffrey D. Mitchell, junior at Central VPA, kept the conversation going by asking Ms. Ratcliffe, “What is a bid?” This led to a dialogue about the process of a convention coming to St. Louis.
The questions continued as students interacted with BRMs during a special speed networking session. The models encouraged students to explore their career interest in fields including Accounting/Finance, Chris Winkelmann; Broadcasting/Public Relations, Donna Andrews and Rebecca L. Rodgers; Business Management and Sales, Stephanie Monroe; Culinary Arts, Chef Jason McGraw; Computer Technology, Jennifer Harris; Carpentry, Tony Buffa; and Marketing/Graphics, Brian Hall and Lauren Gosling.
In addition to answering timely questions such as “Why do I have to learn this?” and “How can I use this skill in the workplace?” students also discussed higher education options, ranging from trade school to college, how to obtain an apprenticeship, internship, or volunteer opportunity, and using their mentor’s personal testimonies to encourage them to stay on the right path.
The students also kicked up their experience a notch through additional conversations with other BRMs in unrelated fields. Mitchell felt having the opportunity to talk with other departments was beneficial because it completed the circle on how different departments work together to reach one corporate goal.
“I learned equally that it is important to be sound in your field of expertise and knowledgeable about other areas,” Mitchell said.
“This entire experience has also allowed me to get a jump on my interest of Broadcast because now I know that I need to keep samples of my work in a portfolio and develop more skills through internships that will give me on-the-job training and advantage over other students.”
Afterwards, the students toured the facility, which included the America’s Center and Edward Jones Dome. Students got a chance to hear stories and go behind the scenes with tour guides Jason Doerge and Jen Deluca from Contracts & Scheduling, as well as ask questions of Bruce Sommer, director of Edward Jones Dome/America’s Center, regarding the everyday function of the facility side of the CVC.
The event concluded with a mini-seminar on dress for success and resume writing with Nila Tuckson, Human Resources director.
“My experience with the Groundhog Job Shadow was excellent!” said Jordan Lark, Junior at Central.
“I was able to meet people in the industry, learned more about dressing for success, and how to improve my resume. I was also able to see first hand how my future job would look and what I needed to do to become successful.”
If your school is interested in participating in Groundhog Job Shadow Day 2010, please contact Rebecca at 314-992-0649 or rrodgers@explorestlouis.com.
Be a Tourist Note
NCAA Hoop City Refreshed by Coca-Cola is the place to be during the 2009 NCAA Women’s Final Four in St. Louis. The three-day fan festival celebrating the history and passion of NCAA sports is coming to St. Louis, April 4-6, at the downtown America’s Center Convention Complex. Hoop City will be open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and there is no admission charge to attend Hoop City in 2009.
Hoop City attendees of all ages will enjoy competitions, basketball clinics, autograph sessions from current NCAA coaches and great players of the past, the POWERADE 3v3 Basketball Tournament and surprise appearances.
Please note that April 4 has been declared, SUPER SATURDAY! On SUPER SATURDAY, you can also enjoy HOOP CITY as well as a series of FREE, FUN EVENTS, including:
YES Clinic. Boys and girls ages 10 to 16 will have the opportunity to learn and enhance their sports skills, conditioning skills and life skills with instruction from collegiate coaches and student-athletes in town for the Women’s Final Four.
For more information on registering your child for one of the three FREE NCAA Youth Education through Sports (YES) Clinics, to be held from 8 a.m. – noon at UMSL, SLU and the JJK Boys and Girls Club, visit www.NCAA.com/finalfour.
March to the Arch. All ages are invited to join in the FREE March to the Arch. Dribblers between the ages of 6 and 16 will receive a FREE t-shirt and basketball (subject to availability.)
Register online at www.NCAA.com/finalfour. The March begins at 12:30 p.m. at Saint Louis Union Station and ends at Kiener Plaza
For more information on St. Louis hotels, restaurants, attractions and cultural institutions, click on www.explorestlouis.com, or call 314-421-1023.
St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission
701 Convention Plaza, Suite 300, St. Louis, MO 63101, www.beatourist.com