Junior Achievement of Arkansas and Baldwin & Shell Construction have partnered to host a virtual career exploration job shadow event on Sept. 28, 2021. Over 500 students from Bentonville High School, Central Junior High, Gravette High School, Harrisburg College and Career Prep, Lakeside High School, Little Rock Southwest High School, Parkview High School, Rogers High School, Springdale High School and Van Buren High School will participate. The event will impact students across six counties (Benton, Washington, Crawford, Poinsett, Pulaski and Jefferson) in Arkansas.
“JA Job Shadow gives teens the chance to explore career fields they might not otherwise consider at a time in their academic journey when they are starting to think about life after high school,” said Tonya Villines. “With the support of Baldwin & Shell Construction this learning experience will help teens make more informed decisions about their career goals and the educational path that makes the most sense given their aspirations.”
Junior Achievement is the state’s only organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA annually reaches over 13,000 students per year across the state of Arkansas.
During the virtual job shadow students will learn about the company’s culture and mission, overview of Northwest Arkansas projects, career pathing and an introduction to project management and virtual design careers at Baldwin & Shell Construction.
Jim Minor, vice president & COO of Baldwin & Shell added, “we realize the Construction Industry is seldom top of mind for high school students as they contemplate their academic futures and career paths. We need to change that! Few industries outside of building construction offer the creative satisfaction of multiple achievements that literally last a life time and are seen by the whole world. From the indispensable construction trade craft worker that garners the honor and respect of everyone to job cost estimating and project management, construction is big business that provides high wage opportunities and a true sense of worthwhile life accomplishment.”
As part of the JA Job Shadow experience, students develop a deep understanding of their talents, interests, and values through a career interest assessment. The result is a broad list of career possibilities. Through informational interviews, students narrow down the list to identify their top potential career opportunities. They interact with professionals in a workplace site visit and during a multi-hour job shadow experience in a career area of interest. Reflection and analysis move students toward their target career or back to their list to explore another option. JA Job Shadow is offered in a variety of delivery models to accommodate different learning formats being used by educators this school year.
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