Open Doors is sponsored by LFHS, LFHS APT, and Lake County Cares
For information and schedule of events for 2012 “Lunch & Learn: Conversations for Careers” Click Here
Save the Date - April 24-25, 2012
The 7th annual Open Doors Career Exploration Program will be held on April 24-25, 2012. The purpose of this job shadowing program is to provide students with first-hand, on-the-job experience with professionals in the community and with local volunteer agencies during the two days when freshmen, sophomores and seniors have off from school while juniors will be taking the Prairie State Exams. All freshmen, sophomores, and seniors are encouraged to participate in this unique and valuable program.
In addition to the opportunities to job shadow for a full or half day, students may also sign up to volunteer at one or more of many service agencies such as: Elawa Farm, Bennu Legal Services, Fenix Clinic, Heller Nature Center, Holy Family Food Pantry, Kids Korner, Lake County Forest Preserves.
Registration for this program will take place online, allowing students to read a description of each opportunity and to match their schedule to the mentor’s available dates and times. The job shadowing experiences are all unique. Some only have one student, while others take up to 20 students. Prior to the job shadowing, students who have registered will attend a mandatory orientation session during their lunch period (and will be served a sub sandwich lunch). During this orientation session, they will be taught the “rules of the road”: the importance of confirming their appointment with their mentor prior to their shadowing; dressing appropriately; paying attention and asking pertinent questions; and writing a follow-up thank you letter. In other words, Open Doors provides students with their first exposure to Business Etiquette 101 - the basic skills they will need to use throughout their lives.
Below are some important dates for the 2012 Open Doors Program:
Tuesday, March 20: Online registration opens for students. This is done on a first come, first served basis.
Wednesday, April 11: Online registration closes.
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 24-25: Program dates.
Research has shown that students who explore career possibilities before applying to colleges are more likely to finish the same college they entered four years later.
Here are some direct quotes from the follow-up evaluation forms of some of the students who participated in Open Doors in past years:
“This program was extremely helpful and gave me a real sense of what this career (teaching) is like…it really confirmed that this is what I want to pursue…the only surprise I had was realizing what it would be like teaching the same lessons three times a day, every day.”
“It was really neat seeing them (the veterinarians) run tests and take samples, but I don’t think this occupation is really right for me.”
“Mr. W helped us understand what he did (material science engineering) and how he got there (high school, college, and grad school).” (Note: the student put the underline in.)
“The program made me much more aware of the downsides of these jobs (law enforcement and financial services) and showed me how much caution is needed when choosing a career.”
The Open Doors program is co-sponsored by LFHS, LFHS APT, and Lake County Cares. For additional information, please contact Kathy O’Hara, the Student Service/Community Coordinator, at kohara@lfschools.net or 847-582-7774.
