The Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative – a Fresno State Foundation program – and Central San Joaquin Valley K-16 Partnership announced the inaugural Job Shadow Week, scheduled for Feb. 2 through 6. Inspired by National Groundhog Job Shadow Day, this initiative will connect students, primarily from local high schools, with a diverse array of professionals across the region, providing insights into various careers.
Throughout the week, students will shadow professionals in fields such as health care, education, business, manufacturing and more. By observing and interacting with experienced workers, students will gain a deeper understanding of how the skills they learn in school translate into real-world applications.
Local businesses and professionals are invited to volunteer as job shadow hosts. “Together, we can inspire the next generation and help them navigate their career paths with confidence,” said Karri Hammerstrom, executive director of the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative and lead for the Central San Joaquin K-16 Partnership.
The Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative is dedicated to equipping students with the skills, knowledge and experiences needed to succeed in their future careers.
“Job shadowing is an essential career development tool that allows students to work alongside seasoned professionals, gaining first-hand experience in different job roles,” Hammerstrom said.
Groundhog Job Shadow Day, established by America’s Promise – Alliance for Youth, Junior Achievement, Society for Human Resource Management and the U.S. Department of Labor – serves as a foundation for this initiative. It pairs students with mentors from participating organizations, helping them bridge the gap between academic learning and practical career skills.
Last year, over 120 students were paired with mentors from 22 industry partners. This year, both Fresno Unified, Clovis Unified, Firebaugh-Las Deltas and Sanger Unified school districts are partnering with local employers. Partners include the Fresno County Department of Public Health, Fresno Trucking Center, CMAC, IMAGO, Hendricks Chevrolet, ADCO Manufacturing, and Sanger Elementary and Middle School to place students.
Participating employers get increased visibility within the community, strengthen ties to local education and help shape the region’s future workforce.
The Central San Joaquin Valley K-16 Partnership, a collaboration of the Fresno-Madera K-16 Collaborative and the Tulare-Kings College and Career Collaborative, was created to achieve the equity-focused educational and socio-economic goals for the region’s K-16 students.
For more information, or to sign up as a host, contact Nikolai Rico at 559.373.0686, nikolai@csufresno.edu, or Karri Hammerstrom at 559.916.4425, khammerstrom@csufresno.edu.
