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Preparing high-school students for the professional world is crucial. Work-shadowing programmes serve as bridges between classroom learning and real-world experiences, providing students with invaluable insights into various career paths.

High-school college counsellors, with the support of parents, the parent-teacher association (PTA), the alumni network and local businesses, can play a pivotal role in establishing and expanding a successful work-shadowing programme.

At my school, St. Paul’s, we have established a successful work-shadowing programme that sees half of our leavers completing at least one work-experience placement before they even submit their university applications. This has been possible thanks to the execution of a careful 18-month plan that sees our alumni network website as the centre of our work-shadowing programme.

All students transitioning to the International Baccalaureate are immediately onboarded to the Old Paulean platform, and have access to a vast network of Old Pauleans who are ready to serve as careers mentors – as well as a number of companies, from small local businesses owned by parents to large multinational corporations, that have agreed partnerships with us.

For schools wanting to start their work-shadowing programmes small and gradually expand to incorporate larger companies, ensuring that students receive meaningful workplace experiences in controlled environments, this plan provides the initial steps.

Step 1: Building the foundation

College counsellors should begin by fostering strong relationships with parents, the PTA and the alumni network. Hosting information sessions and workshops to communicate the benefits of work shadowing can generate interest and support among these stakeholders.

Parental engagement

Hold parent-orientation sessions to explain the significance of work shadowing in shaping children's futures. Emphasise the role parents can play in facilitating connections with their professional networks.

PTA collaboration

Collaborate with the PTA to organise career fairs, inviting professionals from various fields to interact with students. This not only broadens students’ perspectives but also establishes connections for potential work-shadowing opportunities.

Alumni network

Use the alumni network to identify individuals willing to serve as mentors or to offer work-shadowing opportunities. Alumni often take pride in contributing to the success of their schools.

Step 2: Pilot programme implementation

Start small to ensure the viability and success of the programme. Initiate a pilot programme with a limited number of students and local businesses. This phase allows for the refinement of processes and the collection of valuable feedback.

Student selection

Identify motivated students who express interest in specific career fields. A brief application process can help match students with suitable work-shadowing opportunities.

Business outreach

Approach local businesses with a proposal outlining the benefits of hosting students for work shadowing. Underscore the controlled nature of the experience, highlighting that it aligns with the educational and growth journey of teenagers.

Mentor training

Provide mentors with training on how to guide students effectively during work-shadowing experiences. Stress the importance of creating a positive and educational environment.

Feedback mechanism

Establish a feedback mechanism to collect input from both students and businesses. Use this information to make adjustments and improvements for future iterations of the programme.

Step 3: Expanding the programme

Once you’ve run a successful pilot programme, it’s time to expand and involve a broader spectrum of community stakeholders. This phase focuses on scaling up the programme to include more students, more businesses and potentially even larger corporations.

Running student-awareness campaigns

Increase awareness about the work-shadowing programme among students through workshops, assemblies and informational materials. Highlight the success stories of participants from the pilot programme.

Expanding business partnerships

Reach out to a wider range of local businesses and organisations. Develop partnerships with industries that may not have been initially considered, in order to provide students with diverse exposure to career options.

Incorporating alumni-driven initiatives

Engage alumni who have successfully navigated their respective fields to actively participate in shaping the work-shadowing programme. Alumni-led initiatives can provide valuable insight and connections.

Formalising programme structure

Develop a formal structure for the work-shadowing programme, including guidelines, timelines and evaluation criteria. This will facilitate a smoother expansion process and ensure consistency in the quality of experiences offered.

Step 4: Involving larger corporations

As the programme gains momentum, counsellors can explore partnerships with larger corporations. This step involves networking at a broader level and showcasing the success and impact of the programme.

Corporate outreach

Develop a compelling proposal to present to larger corporations, underlining the programme’s positive impact on the local community and potential for these corporations to contribute to the development of future talent. You can also highlight the fact that, by welcoming your students, they can position themselves as the future homes of brilliant and well-trained young professionals. One midsized bank and a global telecommunications giant partnering with us have reported that they benefit from the programme as much as we do, if not more. They want our students, who will go on to study at some of the best universities in the world, to think of them as future potential employers.

Professional-development workshops

Collaborate with corporations to organise professional-development workshops for students. These workshops can provide additional learning opportunities beyond work shadowing, and can strengthen ties between schools and the corporate sector.

Internship opportunities

Explore the possibility of transitioning from work shadowing to internship opportunities within larger corporations. This requires careful planning and coordination, in order to ensure a seamless transition and continued support for students.

Supplier engagement

Collaborate with your school's purchases team to engage school suppliers in the work-shadowing initiative. The purchases team, often responsible for liaising with various vendors, can play a pivotal role in incorporating these suppliers into the programme. Work closely with the team to identify potential suppliers interested in participating and contributing to the educational and growth journey of students. This collaboration could involve inviting suppliers to host work-shadowing opportunities within their operations.

Recognition and awards

Publicly recognise the contributions of businesses and corporations involved in the programme. This can be done using awards, certificates or public acknowledgements, fostering a sense of pride and encouraging sustained participation.
 

A well-structured and community-driven work-shadowing programme has the potential to enhance the educational experience for students significantly. Tapping into the power of parents, the PTA, alumni and local businesses, high-school university counsellors can create a dynamic programme that not only exposes students to the professional world but also fosters meaningful connections within the community.

Starting small, refining processes through pilot programmes and gradually expanding to involve larger corporations ensures the sustainability and success of the initiative over time.

Ultimately, the collaboration between schools and the broader community plays a crucial role in preparing the next generation for the challenges and opportunities of the professional world.