Walking in the shadows: Students get a closer look at career options

More than 40 Dougherty County High School students visited Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Feb. 25, to learn more about different career paths by job shadowing employees. Healthcare, graphic design, public affairs, child care and administration were just a few professions students had the opportunity to explore.

The goal was to give each participant a sample of what is involved in a particular job and to assist them in making sound decisions about different career paths.

“This experience will confirm some students decisions about what they want do for a living and possibly change the minds of others,” Dorothy Bryant, director, Child Development Center, MCLB Albany, said.

Brandon Fenn, senior, Albany High School, Albany, Georgia, chose administration within a school system as his career goal. He was paired with Bryant to gain insight on the day-to-day responsibilities of a childcare facility.

“I was skeptical about coming here because I want to be a high school principal,” he said. Fenn conceded the day care experience was beneficial.

“Seeing how (employees) interact with the children and seeing how happy they are to be here really inspires me to definitely one day work in an elementary school,” he said.

Students were encouraged to take full advantage of the day by Petty Officer 1^st Class Antresha Holmes, general duty corpsman, Naval Branch Health Clinic – Albany, MCLB Albany. She explained she changed her career many times before figuring out what she was interested in as a career.

“I flip-flopped from one area to another trying to figure out what I wanted to do,” she said. “This is an excellent chance to dig beneath the surface of a particular job to make sure it is something of interest to you.”

The event was deemed a success by administrators, employees as well as students. Some even requested a return visit for additional opportunities to shadow in their chosen area of interest.

This article and photos were produced by job shadowing participant Kaitlyn Kelly. She is a high school senior at Albany High School and plans to attend Middle Georgia State University to study mass communications.