For the first time, Glenwood Springs High School is giving juniors a unique opportunity to explore potential careers through a new job shadow program. The initiative, set for May 20 and 21, partners students with over 100 local businesses, allowing them to gain real-world insights into various professions.

“Those two days, juniors at Glenwood Springs High School will be given  job shadow placements,” Glenwood Springs High Counselor Scott Loeffler said. “They’re going to be all over town and in so many different businesses learning about what they are interested in.”

This is the first year for the program, which serves as an extension of the school’s College and Career Discovery class. This class is taken by students during their junior and senior years to explore post-graduation options. 

“The idea is to have all juniors have an experience in something that they see themselves doing in the future,” Loeffler said. The College and Career Discovery class focuses on career possibilities and the education needed after earning a diploma.

A junior class of 250 students, The job shadow program currently has 237 students set to participate.

Among the participants is junior Anastasia Shea, who will spend her two days of the job shadow program exploring business accounting at the Hotel Colorado.

“I feel really fortunate and I know everyone else doing it feels really fortunate because most of the time you go into college and you have no idea what you want to major in,” Shea said. “It is great that it gives everyone an opportunity to experience a possible career choice and explore what you want to do earlier rather than later.”

Shea also praised the College and Career Discovery class for helping prepare students for future educational and career decisions. 

“It prepares you for those next steps after college, and sets you up to apply for college,” Shea said. The class involves activities ranging from personality quizzes to teacher recommendations, all designed to aid students in their college and career paths.

The job shadow program will include opportunities for students seeking numerous occupations. Six students are set to attend the Glenwood Fire Department, where students can learn about the firefighting career firsthand. 

“These kids will get the chance to step into our specific culture, learn our values and what our daily life is like as a firefighter,” Glenwood Springs Fire Lieutenant Travis Rohe said. Students shadowing will follow firefighters, learning about the training, certifications and daily responsibilities involved in the profession.

Rohe also highlighted the benefits of engaging local students. 

“We definitely love it, especially with the high school students because we know that they have a vested interest,” Rohe said. “We are always looking for locals to join the department, because they have a vested interest in the community and they have a support network here, so it makes them ideal candidates for the career here in Glenwood Springs, so it’s great to have them here and show them what it’s like.”

In addition to the job shadow program, Glenwood Springs High School also offers a student involvement program for seniors. This apprenticeship-style program allows senior students to earn high school credit while gaining hands-on experience in a field of interest.

“We love being able to show these students what it’s like to be a firefighter,” Rohe said. “It’s exciting to know that we will have that opportunity for more students to learn over the course of those two days through the job shadow program.”