Throughout the first semester, 89 high school seniors from the economics classes at Albert Lea High School had the opportunity to job shadow at businesses in our community.

Shadowing is a time for students to spend an hour or a full day in a business of their choice with a professional. Students have to make an appointment, dress appropriately for the industry they are shadowing, arrive on time, have questions ready to ask and write a thank you note to the professional after the experience.

During their time shadowing, they interview the professional, receive a tour and in some cases get a hands-on experience in the business. Many students find out this is just what they want to do after they graduate and some find out it is not what they had expected regarding the career. Both benefit students! Shadowing saves students time, money and stress of selecting the wrong career path and the wrong school. This is also a wonderful opportunity for students to see the possibilities of careers in Albert Lea, learn about career trends in that industry or perhaps better understand the pathway into their career choice. Students who shadow are more likely to complete their education in their field of choice. Through this experience, students may even gain a mentor to help them now or later in their career.

Businesses that said “yes” to helping our students were: Advanced Family Dental; Pro Manufacturing; Jensen Excavating; Expressions Salon; Geno’s Plumbing; Jim & Dudes Plumbing; Albert Lea Diesel; Church Offset Printing; Wedgewood Golf Course; Green Lea Golf Course; Riverland Community College; Albert Lea fire, engineering and police departments; Hy-Vee; St. John’s Lutheran Community; Arnold’s of Alden; Cedar House; Albert Lea Economic Development Agency; Leach Law Office; Bowman Electric; Power 96; Kibble Implement; Freeborn County social services and K-9 departments; Dave Sigerson Auto Body; Lou Rich/Innovance; Albert Lea Veterinary Clinic; South Central Pet Care; Red Door Construction; Solid Wood Products; Judge Steven Schwab; Schipps Pro Power Wash; Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau; Albert Lea Area Schools’ athletic trainer, physical therapist and teachers at Halverson and Sibley Elementary also hosted students; Hill, Benda, Skov & Bernau Accounting Firm; Ron Holtan Realty; Motor Inn; Eaton Sport & Spine; Dinah’s Style; and retired commercial pilot Dave Schultz.

Students interested in health care were given a special mini job fair at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. They heard from medical experts and toured the hospital. Students not able to attend the event at the hospital met individually with nurse Linda Ferguson and retired nurses Ann Satre, Mary Carstens and Sandy Johnson.

This high school senior shadow experience is part of the Albert Lea Greater Education Project funded by the Albert Lea Education Foundation. If you would like to be a job shadow site, speak to the eighth grade Pathways career class or give a donation to continue these career projects, please contact projector director Jean Eaton at 507-383-7880.

Julie Eaton

teaching and learning coordinator/district assessment coordinator

Albert Lea Area Schools