Blog: City Blog

Austin-East Students Learn About Career Options at 'Job Shadow Day'

Sophomore students from Austin-East Magnet High School had the opportunity to learn about job opportunities within local government at a “Job Shadow Day” held at the Civic Coliseum today.

City of Knoxville officials gave presentations, answered questions at display booths, conducted demonstrations of City operating equipment and provided lunch in an effort to aid students in determining their career paths.

Students also received a behind-the-scenes tour of the Civic Coliseum.

City departments that participated with the “Job Shadow Day” included:
- Public Service
- Public Assemblies
- Plans Review and Inspections
- Fleet
- Parks and Recreation
- Fire
- Police
- Stormwater, Traffic and Civil Engineering

Departmental displays were designed to engage students and pique their interests. For example, the students got a chance to study a traffic controller cabinet from Traffic Engineering (equipped with a red light and a crosswalk display), and they got an inside look at the components of a household wall frame from Plans, Review and Inspections.

“There were a lot of jobs that I took an interest in,” said Colby Colquitt, a sophomore at Austin-East Magnet High. “The inspector job was very interesting and was probably my favorite. The tour was the best part.”

Breona Sanchez, also a sophomore at Austin-East added, “I liked seeing jobs in the City. I thought it was very interesting. I liked Kent’s speech about having a plan and being positive,” she said, referring to a speech made this morning by Kent Johnson of City Civil Service.

Today’s event was organized by Carol Mahler, Human Resource Manager in the City’s Civil Service Department.

“I would like to thank the City of Knoxville and Ms. Carol Mahler for this great opportunity,” said the Rev. Jesse Jones, Project GRAD Student and Family Support Representative, who helps arrange the “Job Shadow Day.”

“The students truly enjoyed it and were engaged in learning the many career opportunities here in the City of Knoxville.”

Other sophomores from Austin-East shadowed AC Entertainment with tours of the Bijou and Tennessee theaters and at the Knoxville Convention Center today.

“This is the third year the City has participated in the Junior Achievement ‘Job Shadow Day.’ and we’ve got plans with them to expand the program next year,” said Mahler. “I think the kids gained insight on how the City functions all the way down to the different components of their streets. That makes it a win-win for us and I suspect we may have met some future City employees today.”

Check out a report in the Knoxville News Sentinel about today's "Job Shadow Day" by clicking HERE.

Austin-East students learn the ropes from City workers at a Job Shadow Day event.

Posted by evreeland On 02 February, 2016 at 4:48 PM