The groundhog saw his shadow on February 2 but not before many professionals in and around Columbus County saw their shadows on February 1st.
Can you wash a huge dog with matted hair? Identify an ear mite under a microscope? Maybe measure someone’s face for a new pair of glasses? Do you know how many different departments are in Columbus Regional Medical Center? Do you know the different types of law that someone can study? The students at Southeastern Early College could say yes to these questions and more. Thanks to local professionals and businessmen and women, 105 students were given the opportunity to explore different careers on Friday, February 1 as part of the national Job shadowing day kickoff.
Job shadowing gives students a chance to explore various careers beyond what their parents may do for a living. Job shadowing also provides an opportunity for students in at-risk situations to be exposed to various career options they otherwise might not have the chance to explore. SEC students were allowed to “shadow” workplace mentors as they went through a normal day on their job.
The mission of Southeastern Early College High School is to instill in each student the academic and social skills essential for responsible and productive citizenship in a global society which correlates with the guiding mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education which states that every public school student will graduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for life in the 21st century. Early college high school is a bold approach, based on the principle that academic rigor, combined with the opportunity to save time and money, is a powerful motivator for students to work hard and meet serious intellectual challenges. Early college high schools blend high school and college in a rigorous yet supportive program, compressing the time it takes to complete a high school diploma and the first two years of college. Southeastern Early College focuses on the 3 R’s- rigor, relevance, and relationship. Relationships between teachers and students already existed; this day of job shadowing allowed students the opportunity to begin building relationships with the community.
Students were able to see first hand the inner workings of a hospital and a court room. Local veterinarians and eye care specialists saw their “shadows” earlier than that little creature that looks for his shadow annually. Judges found time to answer questions posed by students. Even the Superintendent of Columbus County Schools, Dr. Dan Strickland, spent the day preparing his two shadows to one day take the helm. Students were able to answer the age-old question “How will I ever use this?” Being in a work situation showed the students the relevance of the learning taking place in the classroom. There is an old proverb that says “if you give a man a fish, he will eat for a day but if you teach a man to fish, he will eat for life.” Students were given the first of many opportunities to learn how to fish.
Sam Gore, Work Force Coordinator for Southeastern Early College, believes that the experience provided students with a foundation to begin the search for a career that suits their abilities and desires.
Southeastern Early College is grateful to the following businesses, professionals and schools for a successful job shadowing day.
Dr. Nicole Martin, Southern Veterinary Hospital
Columbus Regional Healthcare System
Seaside Taxes
Chadbourn Middle School
Williamson Walton & Scott LLP Attorneys at Law
The McGougan Law Firm
Southeastern Community College instructors
Cerro Gordo Elementary
McNeill’s Pharmacy
Whiteville Primary School
BB&T
Tim Blackmon, Radio Shack
Pierce’s Landscaping
Columbus Regional Healthcare System/ Physical Therapy
Tiffany Waddell, US Post Office, Southport
Charlie Davis
William Powell, McKenzie’s Funeral Home
Roger Bacon Academy
Edgewood Elementary School
Southern Pool Service
Campbell’s Transmission Shop
Walters Surgical Associates
Vision Masters
Dr. Richard Bumgardner
Dr. Dan Strickland, Columbus County Schools
Central Middle School
Dr. Tiffany Barnhill, Animal Hospital of South Columbus
David Heath, Waccamaw Electric
Anna Kirk, Wavita Dialysis
Whaley CPA
Acme Delco Elementary and Middle
Whiteville Primary School
Stevens & Hasty Co Inc
Sullivan Bookkeeping & Tax Service
Michael Williamson
Cakes Creation
Darian Ransom, Furniture Depot of Whiteville
David Cable, Bladenboro Recording Studio
Special thanks to Fuller Royal, The News Reporter, for picutures.
Principal Laura Davis, Workforce Coordinator Sam Gore, and Program Facilitator, Amy Allgood worked to make this day a rewarding and life-changing opportunity for SEC students and hope to continue this partnership with local businesses and business people. . Just think... one day kids will rule the world. SEC students are ready to step up to that challenge.
Job Shadowing is led by the National Job Shadow Coalition. For more information, visit the Coalition’s website: www.jobshadow.org. If you are willing to have students shadow you at your place of business, call Amy Allgood at 642-7141 ex. 791 or email aallgood@sccnc.edu. Southeastern Early College invites you to invite a student for a day of fishing. Don’t take our word for it though—read what some of the Southeastern Early College students have to say about their day of job shadowing.
“I learned a lot today and I see now why my parents are pushing me to go into the medical field like them. The medical field is very interesting and there are many parts to it which I did not know about.” Jacob
“I expected the hospital to be boring but it was not. It was interesting. It was great. I especially liked learning about the biohazard area.” Shemeriah McCollough
“I value the way the judges and lawyers acted towards us when they talked with us and when they allowed us to ask questions.” Sybill Harris
“I value the information form the hospital tour. I will really think about the things that I have seen for my future career choices.” Erica Greene
“I got to see some cases being tried, and I got a chance to interview a lawyer. I value how the lawyer, Mr. Kevin J. Bullard answered our questions in a clear, detailed manner.” Jha’quise Populo
I enjoyed hearing you talk about computers. I got good hands-on experience- like when you re-booted the computers and I had to fix the program again.” Emilio Hernandez
I got a lot of information out of my trip to Williamson, Walton and Scott. I hope I can get my law degree and become an excellent lawyer. Mr. Scott, you really inspired me to become a lawyer.” Divine McHenry
“After today, I have made up my mind and am hoping to one day become a lawyer. I learned a lot about wills that I didn’t know. I hope one day we will meet again and hopefully it won’t be in court!” Josh Simmons
“I never knew that nurses have as many responsibilities as they do.” Abby Pritchett
“Being in the courthouse allowed me to see what goes on in actual court sessions.” Fariel Graham
“The experience of touring the hospital and talking to people there has definitely influenced me to pursue the medical field as a career choice.” Amanda Strong
“This day (of teaching) really helped me see that teaching is a very real option for me now. I am actually considering it now because of what I saw and heard today.” Elaine Hewett
If you are interested in allowing students to job shadow you, please contact aallgood@sccnc.edu. If you are interested in learning more about Southeastern Early College, contact Principal Laura Davis at ldavis@sccnc.edu.
