The Winston County Journal

Winston County students got on-the-job training Friday during the fourth annual job-shadowing day.

Students from the Winston-Louisville Career and Technology Center were able to take a day to "shadow" a professional while they're on the job.

A job-shadowing experience is an opportunity for students to spend several hours at a business, nonprofit organization or government agency, getting some one-on-one time with an employee, observing their daily activities and asking questions about their job and the workplace. Host businesses are encouraged to go about their regular work activities.

As noted by Job Shadow Coordinators, Gloria Mason and Cindy Stewart, the event allows students a unique opportunity to examine the work world and answer the common question of "Why do I have to learn this?"

Fifty-one juniors and non-traditional students from the Winston-Louisville Career and Technology Center participated in the event. The event gave many students a view at what might one day be their career.

Ariel Hopkins noted that she was having a good day observing computer repair at M&N Computers. Hopkins added that she loved computers and was very interested in the career.

Kelsie Boykin and Megan Holdiness agreed that observing the nurses at Louisville Medical Associates was rewarding since it was a career path they wanted to undertake.

Job Shadow Coordinators, Mason and Stewart, noted that many of the students reported a rewarding experience from the event.

"It is so rewarding to see our students in a job setting that excites and motivates them to further develop skills for a brighter future," stated Mason and Stewart.

Mason and Stewart discovered how job shadowing day may help lead to career as they found a former student, Wesley Coleman, serving as the shadowed employee for the day at Taylor Group's drafting department.

"This is a prime example of how the Winston-Louisville Career and Technology Center is training our youth for success," stated Mason and Stewart.

Mason and Stewart thanked the many business that took part in the event and made the day a success. Businesses included: Charley McCool Pharmacy, Children's Healthcare Clinic in Columbus, Darrell Duty Flooring, Bennett's Do It Center, David Hill Tire Repair and Lube, MSU Department of Music, Destiney's Child Care, Dr. Michael Ard, Eiland Middle School, Factory Connection, Fair Elementary, G.T. Physical Therapy, Grayson Blu, Gulf States Manufacturing, Head Start, Heard's Collision and Repair, Jayroe's Body Shop, JBHM Architects of Columbus, Jeff Sheppard Logging, Louisville Elementary, Louisville High School, Louisville Medical Associates, M&N Computers, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Nabers Veterinary, Nanih Waiya High School, Noxapater Wildlife, Noxubee Refuge, Oktibbeha County Hospital, Philmore's Unique Boutique of Noxapater, R&B Towing, Richardson's Body Shop, Sandra's Hair Care, Sta-Home Health Agency, Sta-Home Hospice, Taylor Group, TEMTCO Steel, Untouchable Hair Designs of Philadelphia, Wellness Connection at OCH, Winston Medical Center and Winston Rehab Services.

Editor's note: Winston-Louisville Career and Technology Center is the updated name of the former Winston-Louisville Vo-Tech Center. The LMSD Board of Trustees updated the name in a recent meeting to better fit the mission of the center.

See next week's edition for more Job Shadow photographs.