Knob Noster students shadow workers to look at how skills learned in school are used in jobs

Massage therapist, animal control officer and radiologist are just a few of the careers Knob Noster students had the opportunity to explore Tuesday.

Ninth- through 12th-grade students took part in Groundhog Job Shadow Day, a national launch to a yearlong initiative that gives students across America the chance to “shadow” a workplace mentor as he or she goes through a day on the job. According to jobshadow.org, the initiative provides young people nationwide with an up-close look at how skills learned in school are put to use in the workplace.

The National Job Shadow Coalition was formed in 1997 to encourage participation in a shadowing initiative across the United States. The goal was to help young people explore firsthand the skills and education needed to succeed in today’s and future job markets and to encourage the development of relationships between students and adults.

Karen Pickett, A-plus coordinator at Knob Noster High School, sent 33 high school students to area businesses to shadow a job of their choice. Pickett said students chose to explore the communications field at Zimmer Radio in Warrensburg and the medical field at Bothwell Regional Health Center. Other students visited day care centers and Bodyworks Day Spa.

Knob Noster High School senior Sarah Tallant chose to shadow an animal control officer from the Sedalia Police Department. Tallant, 18, said it was a slow day but she was able to watch the officer retrieve a few puppies and stray dogs. Tallant said she plans to attend State Fair Community College to study criminal justice before pursuing a career as an animal control officer.

“I also want to own my own shelter,” she said.

Tallant also was able to review documents from past animal cruelty investigations done by the police department.
“Obviously, looking through those documents upsets me,” she said, “but I want to help.”

Tallant said she enjoyed learning more about her chosen profession and is looking forward to starting her career.
“I’ve wanted to do this since I was in first grade,” she said.

Sophomore Jessica Kinsey, 16, spent her day shadowing the manager of the Mid-Missouri Animal Shelter. Kinsey said she chose the shelter because she likes to volunteer.

“I like hanging out with the animals,” she said.

Kinsey’s future goals include both college and the military and she hopes to pursue a career in marine biology.

Sophomore Rhiannon Carlton, 15, spent her day job shadowing at the shelter as well. Carlton walked dogs, played with puppies and helped clean cat cages.

“I learned you have to be patient and have a heart to have a job at the animal shelter,” she said.

Mid-Missouri Animal Shelter Manager Crystal Johnson said she talked to the teens about euthanasia and the number of animals allowed at the shelter. They also watched how the adoption process works.

“It has been great having them here,” Johnson said. “They gave the dogs interaction, which is something we (employees) don’t always have time for.”

Pickett said the job-shadowing day gives students the opportunity to explore their career opportunities.

“It gives them a chance to check a job out,” Pickett said, “and then think about what classes they need to take to get there.”

Students will be evaluated by their employer and have assignments that correlate with their experience on the job.