WATSONVILLE — Every year, a group of Watsonville High School students takes a day away from classes for a glimpse at the possibilities their futures could hold.
The annual job-shadowing program, which is hosted by Rotary Club of Watsonville, allows the students to spend time with professionals in the areas that interest them.
“The Rotary Club has organized this event for over 13 years and is committed to the young people in our community,” Rotary member Murry Schekman said.
The event is scheduled for March 14, the same day students from across the U.S. plan on staging a walkout in support of stricter gun regulations.
The walkout is in response to a Feb. 14 shooting in Parkland, Fla., in which a gunman with an AR-15 rifle killed 17 students.
About 90 students — all juniors and seniors — are signed up to participate, with career interests that include radiologist, journalist, lawyer, graphic designer and police officer.
About 43 percent of the students are requesting some sort of medical profession, Schekman said.
This year, however, the Rotary is still looking for businesses to host some of the students.
This includes 13 students in the medical field, two in the veterinary field, one in fashion design and one cosmetologist.
Students will shadow from 8 a.m. until noon, and then the students and their hosts come to the Rotary Club meeting for a presentation in honor of the students and their hosts.
The event could be cancelled if enough WHS students decide to participate in the walkout, and the Rotarians will inform everyone involved if that happens, Schekman said.
“We respect and are proud of the student voice, and will keep our career hosts posted,” he said.
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Anyone who can host 1-3 students is asked to email Schekman at mu************@sj**.edu.
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Partial list of participating companies and individuals
• Graniterock
• Watsonville Community Hospital
• Jessica Moran, Watsonville Post/Acute Nursing Center
• Watsonville Fire Department
• Santa Cruz County Sheriff
• Watsonville Police Department
• Dr. Sam Christenson, DDS
• Whiskey Hill Farms
• Gil Grio, DDS
• Dr. George Bunche
• Willis Construction in Aromas
• Cabrillo College
• Attorneys Caroselli and Allen
• Councilman Felipe Hernandez
• Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
