Every year on February 2, more than 1 million students across the United States begin a year-long program in which they tour job sites, shadow workers, and participate in on-the-job activities that provide them with an up-close look at the world of work and help them answer the question "Why do I have to learn this?". Students who participate in the "Groundhog Job Shadow Day" program have the opportunity throughout the year to shadow scientists, firefighters, designers, mechanics, teachers, government employees, and workers from more than 100,000 participating businesses. Designed to offer students the opportunity to see what a real job is like, the program shows students that they have choices in life, motivates them to set long term goals, and helps them make the connection between what they learn in the classroom and what they need to learn to achieve their goals. The articles below provide more information about the Job Shadowing Program.
Hands-On Career Ed:
Groundhog Job Shadow Day
Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow on February 2? Thousands of U.S. workers will see their shadows -- job shadows, that is -- as they provide opportunities for young people across the country to join them at their workplaces. Job shadowing, program organizers say, enables kids to get an up-close look at what a "real job" is like.
Job Shadows Forecast Sunny Careers
Most people know that February 2 is Groundhog Day; a day when groundhogs across the country climb out of their holes, look for their shadows, and try to predict the end of winter. Do they know, however, that February 2 also is Groundhog Job Shadow Day; a day when students across the country leave their classrooms to shadow adult workers and try to predict their future careers?
Learn More About Career Education
Job shadowing, however, should be just part of a comprehensive career education program that spans all grade levels and academic programs. Education World offers a number of additional articles, lessons, activities, and links to online resources you can use to help all students at explore and prepare for future careers. Those include:
Preparing Kids for Careers
A review of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for 1998-2008 reveals the occupations most likely to be in demand in the coming decade. Included: Career-skill-building exercises for students in elementary, middle, and high school.
A 'Real-Life Fair' Shows Kids the Real Deal About Careers
Students in one Rhode Island junior high school got a glimpse of their future through a "Real-Life Fair," a career fair that incorporates lessons learned in the classroom. Find out why a career fair might be the ideal activity for your classroom too.
Career Counseling Resources on the Internet
To celebrate National School Counseling Week, Education World features this article from the ASCA Counselor, a publication of the American School Counselor Association, providing some of the best online resources related to career counseling.
Career Sites to See
Career Web sites help students make informed decisions as they explore career opportunities, choose a college major, or make the transition from school to work. Included: Opportunities to practice interviewing and resume writing.
School-to-Work: Connecting Schools and Career Decision-Making
On May 4, 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. As a result, schools across the country instituted programs designed to prepare students for the future job market. Learn about some exemplary school-to-work programs.
Career Education 
