Activities at the Oklahoma City Zoo

Always check websites for current information on admission, discounts, free days, new attractions, and so on. Zoos and other activities in or near your town may have similar opportunities.

To apply for a grant, which may include partial bus funding within a 25-mile radius. See eligibility at the link below.

http://www.okczooed.com/grants   

Free days and additional discounts

http://www.okczoo.com/plan-your-visit/free-discount-days/  

You can share this news with others. Also, check the zoo website each year for new calendars and opportunities.

Note the programs and resources available.

http://www.okczooed.com/teachers

This also has a section on job shadowing, internship, etc., in the lower right corner.  Go to the link above for more information.

AT&T's Job Shadowing Program

from AT&T website

The 2014 Tulsa Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast showcased several innovative mentoring programs. AT&T's Job Shadowing Program in Tulsa is an effective Junior Achievement Job Shadow model with personalization. AT&T, formerly Southwestern Bell and Bell Telephone as well as one of the founders of Junior Achievement nationally, has established this program as part of its corporate culture.

Job Shadow "graduate"

Vicki Williams, a 20+ year AT&T mentor, spoke about the program at the breakfast. The opportunity, which could be renamed “A Day in the Life of AT&T,” can accommodate 70-85 youths at a time at the call center. The students, usually juniors, put on suits, have real job interviews by managers, and learn about careers at AT&T and the required education or training. 

Vicki said, “We focus on S.I.S., ‘Stay in school.’” Among other topics discussed are digital footprints, soft skills, keeping a job, and the importance of a job. At the end of the day, students receive a certificate. If they finish high school, that certificate will earn them an interview with AT&T. 

Jonathan, a former job shadow “graduate” who spoke at the breakfast kept his certificate, requested an interview, and accepted a job two weeks prior to the February 28th breakfast. Junior Achievement and AT&T opened up a world he did not know existed and could not imagine.  

Vicki has gone the extra mile for some of the program graduates, e.g., giving at least one a ride to work because of lack of transportation and other issues. Not every story is a later hiring or employment success, but Vicki continues to reach out to many of the former students.

When students arrive by bus at the AT&T Call Center, employees are lined up, applauding and cheering as the students enter. “This wins them over right there,” says Belynda Clanton, JA Tulsa. The message is “We accept you as you are, come in, let us tell you about our world,” she adds. As mentioned in a previous blog post, Tulsa JA requires students from high need schools. A student once commented that no one had ever clapped for her before.

By the time students are in the training room, they are won over. They have no idea about all the jobs and scholarships they may be able to earn. Some employees will tell them that AT&T helped them go to college or get a master’s degree. Testimonials have power.

The large group is broken down into smaller groups of eight to ten. Each group is assigned to a manager. Two to three school districts could be present on a day. AT&T has changed the terminology slightly. The word manager has become connector. After all, knowledge and careers are about relationships and networking.

This post focuses upon the AT&T Job Shadow, but the corporation is doing so much more to mentor youths and to invest in technological education.  Other mentoring includes offsite and online as part of AT&T’s ASPIRE Mentor Academy.

from AT&T website

Online Mentoring

Utilizing technology, employees in several cities across the country are piloting the online option to share career and academic knowledge with students at risk of dropping out of high school.

·Employees meet with students in person several times throughout the school year and engage in weekly online mentoring, covering various academic and career topics.

·Employees help students track their progress throughout the year, and help connect classroom learning to future career success.

Aspire Mentoring Academy's Non-Profit Team

AT&T is working with multiple educational non-profit leaders on Aspire Mentoring Academy.

Junior Achievement USA is the nation's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. AT&T and Junior Achievement are building on the success of providing Job Shadow opportunities to more than 100,000 students in four years. Aspire Job Mentoring includes project-based activities to enhance the mentoring experience for thousands of students and employees across the country.

The We Teach Science Foundation was founded in 2008 to assist K-12 students in their math and science education through Remote Tutoring and Mentoring (RTM). AT&T is teaming with We Teach Science to deliver e-Mentoring in which employees will help thousands of students one-on-one, over five years, across the U.S.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is the nation's largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network. AT&T and Big Brothers Big Sisters are utilizing Mentor2.0, Big Brothers Big Sisters' technology-enriched high school youth mentoring program, with a pilot in Dallas, TX. This online mentoring initiative aims to provide high school students with the support and guidance they need to graduate high school and succeed in college and the workforce.

Onsite Mentoring

Building on AT&T's Job Shadow program, employees share life experiences and career advice through project-based activities at AT&T work sites during the workday.

http://www.att.com/gen/corporate-citizenship?pid=11547

Sources:

http://about.att.com/content/csr/home/people/aspire.html Ret. 3-14-14

http://oklahoma.ja.org/ Ret. 3-20-14

Belynda Clanton (personal communication, March 12, 2014)

Vicki Williams (personal communication, February 28, 2014)

A Job Shadowing Form: One of Many On-Site Worksheets

Do you see value of this simple example? 

JOB SHADOWING ON-SITE WORKSHEET

Student Name:  ___________________________________________________

Site Visited:      ___________________________________________________

Name of Person

You Shadowed: ___________________________________________________

Shadow Date:   ___________________________________________________

While at your job shadow site, ask the following questions of the person you are shadowing.  You should also ask two additional questions of your own.  This information is for you to use to help you in the career planning process.

1.     What is the main purpose of this organization?  

2.     What are your main responsibilities?  

3.     What is your time schedule?  

4.     What type of training, education or experience would I need to do this job?  

5.     How did you decide to do this type of work?  

6.     What do you like most about your job?  

7.     What do you like least about your job?  

8.     What is the average starting salary for this job or field? 

9.     How is technology used in this job or field?  

10.  What types of math, science, social studies, or English (written and oral communication) skills are needed to do this job? 

11.  Do you have any advice for me as I consider career choices?  

12.  What types of courses or school or community activities would you recommend to compliment this career field?  

13.  Question:  

Answer:  

14.  Question:  

      Answer:    

infusion.allconet.org/webquest/On-Site_Worksheet.doc   Ret. 3-4-14

More resources and information forthcoming...

Job Shadowing Program, Loyola, et al.

Updated 6-13-16

We like the presentation and questions in Manchester Metropolitan University's guide. You may be asked by a supervisor, advisor, or the job shadow host to write about what you learned. Be prepared and intentional.Don't forget to write a thank you note after. 

https://www2.mmu.ac.uk/media/mmuacuk/content/documents/human-resources/a-z/guidance-procedures-and-handbooks/Job_Shadowing_Guidelines.pdf

Another similar resource is from the London School of Economics and Politics, University of London.

http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/staff/humanResources/learningAndDevelopment/Managing-Your-Career/Job-Shadowing.aspx 


Inspired by the presentation of Vicki Williams, AT&T mentor, at the Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast in Tulsa recently, we are launching a series of blogs on job shadowing for middle school, high school, post-secondary institutions and workforce ready. 

Foremost below are the benefits to students and to employers and the guidelines for employers.

Loyola University of Maryland, Baltimore, has information below, including videos, tips and video transcripts of videos on topics such as phone etiquette, the interview, top 10 interview mistakes, online video interview, behavioral interview, avoiding Google answers, asking questions and interviewing the interviewer in addition to proper interview clothing. Although geared toward post-secondary, this is practical information.

What is Job Shadowing?

Job shadowing is an experience where students may spend a few hours, a half day, or even a full day with an employer. Each shadowing experience varies and will depend on the site, but students could engage in/observe client meetings or computer and research projects, tour the facility, and interact with other departments within the organization.

Students

By job shadowing, students have the opportunity to:

• make connections by building networks with alumni and employers in the industries that interest them,
• gain experience by observing a specific occupation on location at the employer site, and
• confirm their major by validating their interest in a specific industry and/or occupation.

To prepare for an upcoming job shadowing or informational interview:

• Review the job shadowing planning sheet for students,  http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/~/media/6D1FE30CF6614197ADD29F0AD1C85BA9.ashx, 

• Consult the sample list of informational interviews,  http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/~/media/97DE96C37B4A44EA8ED1BACF0FFAB946.ashxand

• Watch a brief video on informational interviews,  http://www.careerspots.com/vidplay_links_ext.aspx?aid=481 

If interested, contact The Career Center.

Employers

Through participating in job shadowing, employers have the opportunity to:

• Establish recruiting relationships with universities,
• Increase student interest in their organization and industry, and
• Mentor students who are exploring their major and career interests.

View the employer guidelines for job shadowing. If you are interested in hosting a student or group of students, please contact The Career Center.

Loyola University of Maryland, Baltimore

http://www.loyola.edu/department/thecareercenter/employers/jobshadow.aspx

National Groundhog Job Shadow Day

Still inspired by AT&T's Vicki Williams, who spoke at the Mayor's Mentoring Breakfast in Tulsa last week, we are researching a job shadowing day--or two--in all towns and cities in Oklahoma. 

Imagine the impact of employers allowing sixth grade through post-secondary students into their businesses to experience a real workday, explore skills, observe, ask questions, listen, and submit a report afterwards.

Many suitable guides, forms and worksheets for schools, students and employers abound on the Internet. Many of the adaptable forms are thoughtful and usually age-related from simple and short to more professional. We will share many of those resources in a subsequent post. Be thinking how to start this in your community.

Excerpts from a couple of sites:

Job Shadowing: National Job Shadowing Day

You can also develop a job shadowing program for students in your community to teach them about your company. While most benefits accrue to the students, the corporate recruiter who offers job shadowing to local schools gains a definite edge by discovering which students will make excellent additions to the employee roster. Many companies observe Ground Hog’s Day (February 2) for their job shadowing program efforts.

http://www.brighthub.com/office/human-resources/articles/101899.aspx  Ret. 3-4-14

Directly from the website:

National Groundhog 

Job Shadow Day -

February 3, 2014 

This February, the lodging industry once again participates

in National Groundhog Job Shadow Day (NGJSD), a 

national campaign that gives young people a new 

perspective on their studies through hands-on learning and 

a one-day mentoring experience. 

Students are paired with a mentor whom they will "shadow" 

throughout the day to experience how the skills they learn in

the classroom can be applied to the real world. This event 

also provides an opportunity to introduce future employees 

to the vast array of careers available in the lodging industry, 

as well as supports our industry's community efforts. 

NGJSD is a joint effort of America's Promise - Alliance for 

Youth, Junior Achievement, and the U.S. Department of 

Labor. Nationwide, more than one million students and 

100,000 businesses participate, and last year, more than 

2,000 restaurants and hotels hosted nearly 20,000 students. 

https://www.ahla.com/groundhog/ On 6-13-16, this link was no longer active, but we still love the idea!

National Groundhog Job Shadow Day is confined neither to one industry nor to one geographic area; however, the North and the South appear to embrace it vigorously.

November is the other appropriate time of year for a job shadowing day since November "owns" National Career Development Month and also Career Day.