By Tina Louis
(Madison County, NY – April 2012) April is National County Government Month. The Madison County Youth Bureau is celebrating this month by organizing job shadowing opportunities for youth. Job shadowing provides exposure to the variety of occupations available in county government and helps youth understand how county departments function.
On April 3 students participating in the Local Government Intern program, coordinated by Cornell Cooperative Extension, had the opportunity to participate in Job Shadow Day. Job Shadow Day has been organized by the Youth Bureau since 2008. To date, a total of 115 students have participated in at least a full day of career exploration.
Students have commented positively over the years on the job shadow experience.
“People can’t learn this in a classroom. It’s a more visual, hands on experience,” said Cassandra O’Brien, Class of 2011, Morrisville Eaton Central School. “It is important for students to venture into the adult world before they are forced by age,” Kathryn Costello, Class of 2011, Cazenovia High School.
“There are so many different jobs with varying degrees of education and skill level that students can explore a wide variety of occupations to shadow,” said Tina Louis, Youth Development Specialist for the Madison County Youth Bureau. “Students are surprised to find out that they can learn about engineering through the Highway Department or the responsibilities of restaurant management through Environmental Health. There are numerous skill sets that our county workforce possesses and they enjoy sharing their day with eager and inquisitive high school students.”
Ten students from Chittenango High School will also be offered a day to shadow occupations at the county complex on April 19. The group has participated in leadership sessions facilitated by Louis since the spring of 2011. “I think the opportunity to see a job in action will be beneficial to their daily work as students and help them to plan for their futures.”
Brookfield students will visit Wampsville on April 30. These students encompass two programs offered by the Madison County Youth Bureau. BEST, Brookfield Events Supported by Teens, is a group formed to address needs in the community. Group members graduate to BEST from Government Group, a group that learns about the functions of local government. On April 30th, BEST members will participate in a Job Shadow Day while Government Group students participate in a tour of county departments in order to bring life to what they have learned in group sessions back in Brookfield.
“Brookfield is a small community in the southern most end of Madison County. It is important for these students to see and understand what happens in Wampsville with respect to decision making as well as career opportunities,” said Louis.
County departments who will host students in the month of April include; County Clerk, Courts, District Attorney, Employment and Training, Historian, Information Technology, Public Health, Sheriff’s Office, Social Services, Solid Waste and Sanitation, and the Youth Bureau. A total of 23 students will be on the county campus in April to explore a variety of career paths.
For more information on job shadowing or other youth programs in Madison County call the Youth Bureau office at 366-2574.
