What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up? Help Dallas ISD Students Decide

What do you want to be when you grow up? For most students, the answer to this questions lies within the careers and occupations they have been exposed to throughout their lifetime. Through this year’s Job Shadowing program and the Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program, your business can help shape tomorrow’s workforce and expand the horizons of Dallas ISD 8th grade students by introducing them to a host of new industries and future career choices.

Last summer through the Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program, 90 Dallas ISD students participated in full-time, eight-week paid internships at 43 top companies and institutions. This year’s goal is for 100 Dallas companies to provide 200 summer internships.

“The Mayor’s Intern Fellows program is a remarkable opportunity for Dallas ISD students to be introduced to and get excited about all kinds of career options, to meet successful men and women who came from backgrounds similar to theirs, and most importantly, to realize that they can succeed at top jobs, with the right education,” said Dr. Michael Hinojosa, Superintendent of Dallas ISD.

To participate, students must be enrolled in either the Education is Freedom program, which is offered at W.H. Adamson, James Madison and North Dallas High Schools or Senator Royce West’s “It’s About Our Community” program, offered at David W. Carter High School. They must be an upcoming junior or senior, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, have a solid attendance and disciplinary record, and participate in required training. Eligible students will have already demonstrated a commitment to academics and higher education. For more information about the Mayor’s Intern Fellows program, please contact Margaret Suarez, Community Relations Liaison at Education is Freedom, at 214-306-6706 or msuarez@educationisfreedom.org.

Job Shadowing, sponsored by the Dallas Regional Chamber and Dallas ISD helps bridge the gap between education and the business community by showing students real-world occupations and the vast opportunities available after graduation. Last year’s job shadowing program placed 500 DISD students in companies throughout the Greater Dallas area. Businesses from various fields and industries treated students to a fun-filled day of activities and opened a window into their future. The 2009 Job Shadowing program, to be held October 26 – November 6, will allow students to shadow a host of professions including medical, technical and managerial. If your company is interested in participation or for more information, contact Cristina De Los Santos at cdelossantos@dallaschamber.org or (214) 746-6778.