Job Shadow Week will kick off July 13, 2020, engaging high school students and industry leaders nationwide in an in-depth look at the world of work, from the comfort of home and office.
Presented in collaboration by K12 Inc. (NYSE: LRN), Nepris and Tallo, Job Shadow Week connects students with professionals in diverse industries to ignite a curiosity for career paths in growing and in-demand fields. Through interactive workshops, professional development courses, networking opportunities and mentorship, Job Shadow Week will connect the next generation of business leaders with today’s experts in growing fields of business, health care services, information technology, and more.
Job Shadow Week 2020 will be an entirely virtual experience. Participating high school students will go on virtual workplace visits, attend web-based meetings with career professionals and view recorded class sessions to get an in-depth look at real work experiences. The week of virtual events will include topics such as entrepreneurship, professional skill building, and education and credentialing guidance.
A recent survey of HR decision-makers conducted by K12’s Destinations Career Academy showed that when it comes to screening job candidates, having a two- or four-year college degree ranked below “workplace experience in a similar work setting,” “prior industry-relevant work experience,” and “soft skills/professional skills.” Job Shadow Week aims to give students a first-hand look at what it takes to fill that skills gap, in order to join and get ahead in growing industries.
“Job Shadow Week cultivates a deep national conversation about the future of work,” said Leilani M. Brown, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at K12. “While the workplace has changed dramatically over the last decade, the ways in which students are preparing to join it have not. By connecting students with industry leaders in an online environment, we will show more young people how they can chart their own path to success.”
Job Shadow Week serves as an extension of the career readiness education programs offered by K12-powered Destinations Career Academy, a collection of tuition-free online schools that combine traditional high school courses with industry-relevant, career-focused electives in high-demand fields. Destinations students have the opportunity to earn college credits, gain work experience and industry exposure, develop real world skills, and prepare for industry-recognized credential exams to get a jump start on college and career goals.
Using Nepris, Job Shadow Week will allow industry leaders who want to play a role in helping to close the skills gap to open their virtual doors with job demonstrations, workspace tours, or by hosting workshops on topics such as financial literacy, interview prep, corporate social responsibility, and more.
“More than ever, industry has an essential role to play in preparing the next generation of talent,” said Sabari Raja, Co-Founder and CEO of Nepris. “Job Shadow Week celebrates the potential of collaboration between students, educators and businesses, and presents an incredible opportunity for young people to prepare today for the industry-relevant skills they’ll need tomorrow.”
Tallo, the nation’s premier online platform for connecting talented students with employers, colleges, and universities, will provide participating students with the platform to build a virtual profile of their educational and professional accomplishments and goals and identify ways to participate in the week’s events. During Job Shadow Week, Tallo will offer workshops and lessons on the value of creating a portfolio of educational and career accomplishments, and how to set oneself apart in the world of work.
“Early career exploration and networking opportunities like Job Shadow Week can help students develop a broader view of opportunities, support more informed post-high school choices and prepare them for meaningful and financially-secure careers,” said Casey Welch, Tallo’s CEO and Co-Founder. “Delivering Job Shadow Week online will allow even more students to take advantage of this opportunity, as we meet this generation of digital natives where they are already comfortable.”
Job Shadow Week will take place July 13-20, 2020 and is free and open to any student in the US aged 13 and up and in grades 9 through 12, regardless of where they attend school – public, private, charter, virtual high schools, as well as homeschoolers. Students can participate using any device with an internet connection and a camera, including computers, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.