Mertz Middle School

One big question loomed over Kelsey Cost's interest in becoming a veterinarian.

“I need to see if I can handle a surgery,” the Lakeside High senior said last week at Northside Animal Hospital. She was spending the morning at the veterinary clinic on a job shadowing adventure offered as part of Lakeside's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Observing Dr. Jimmy Razor in surgery was on the agenda.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I’m very excited about it. I’m ready.”

Answering the basic questions – essentially, what does a person in this job actually do – is at the heart of the monthly job shadowing sessions that CTE students can sign up for this school year. On Thursday, 29 students fanned out to visit 13 different businesses and institutions, from the hospital to the marketing department of the local Chick-fil-A.

“This has been great. It’s been very helpful, too,” said Kelsey, who had not been part of job shadowing before. “Dr. Razor's been teaching me things about X-rays and about the blood samples and things.”

Jocelyn Savoy, a senior, was on her third job shadowing outing as she explores occupations in which she can “help people.” Last school year, she visited the community college and the town social services department. Next month she plans to job shadow an emergency room nurse. She spent Thursday morning at the 911 Center.

“I want to do something to help people and I felt like this was a really good thing to do to help people because you talk to them every day,” Jocelyn said. “Getting to calm them down and telling them what to do, I feel like you’re actually doing something to impact the community.”

The next job shadowing event is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17. Businesses, non-profits and other institutions in the county interested in being a part of the program should contact Jessica Shiner, the district’s career development coordinator, at jshiner@lakeside.k12.nc.us.