By Heriberto Rivera
Loring Job Corps Student
Today, as part of the yearly Groundhog’s Day shadowing program that the Loring Job Corps Center conducts, I played the role of a newspaper reporter. Every year, Job Corps selects a few students to shadow a handful of selected professionals so that they may have a chance to see if they would enjoy following a career in that field. I was selected to shadow that of a newspaper reporter and found it to be rather enjoyable.
My escapade included going out and about to the different places where other Job Corps students spent their day learning about different trades. I interviewed the other students about what they were learning as the day went on and if they could see themselves following something of that nature in the future. I was proud to find out that a majority of the students agreed to remaining in their selected fields to pursue something of the trade. After seeing some of the implications that came with their selection, most of them had smiles on their faces when working with professionals in the workplace.
Students included: Ricardo Stewart at the Caribou Public Works Department, Jenel Walker at the Red Cross, Johnathan Raesch at Hogan Tire, Ramon Gonzales at Sen. Susan Collins’ office, Alex Izazaga and Mattie Twumase, both at Cary Medical Center.
During the interview, I asked all my fellow students two questions.
1. The first, asking if they have learned any real world skills on the shadow today.
2. The second, being if they see themselves continuing a career in the field to which they were shadowing.
Ricardo / Automotive student:
1. “Today I learned how to locate and replace a heating switch for commercial trucks.”
2. “I don’t necessarily see myself working on trucks in the near future, but more so on domestic and foreign cars for repairs and customization.”
Jenel / Medical Office Support student:
1. “Today I learned about what the Red Cross is and what they do to help people around the world. I spent time scrap booking different Red Cross news articles over the years.”
2. “I definitely see my self working somewhere like the Red Cross. Most of my time is devoted to the medical field and I like what the Red Cross stands for and how they help individuals.”
Johnathan / Automotive student:
1. “Today I spent the day working on brake calipers. I learned that they could be adjusted for different purposes and different vehicles.”
2. “I plan on joining the military after Job Corps but while there, I could see myself repairing and working on the trucks and humvees during my service.”
Ramon / Cisco student:
1. “I spent my day thus far learning about the certain rules and regulations of the Senator and employees. They do have to learn to do things certain ways to stay ahead of the game and stay safe.”
2. “As for working in this field in the future, I could see myself being elsewhere. My interests don’t really include politics but if they need me to set up their computer network, I’d be glad to!”
Alex and Mattie / CNA students:
1. “Today we both learned how to read patient vitals, how to communicate with the patients, how to enable them to be more independent and assist them with things like their dentures.”
2. Mattie: “I see myself using CNA as a stepping stone to moving up in the medical field. I definitely would like to get my RN after.”
2. Alex: “After CNA, I’d like to see if I can get into the dentistry field or maybe be a physician’s assistant.”
As for myself, I learned quite a few things about the news reporter profession. Most of which I have my mentor Natalie to thank. To be honest, I’ve always had a liking to writing and could definitely see myself either doing it on the side, or maybe even as a full blown profession. With that being said, I guess only really time will tell.
