OPM Director Welcomes "Job Shadow" Students
Students "shadow" OPM employees, learn about skills and
education needed to succeed in the workplace

Washington, D.C. -- On Friday February 1, 2002, U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James welcomed nearly 20 students to OPM who are participants of the Job Shadow Program for 2002. The "student shadows" were paired with OPM employees and given the opportunity to see what OPM and its employees do.

"What do you think would happen to a little girl, who grew up in a housing project, whose mother was on welfare and whose father was dependent on alcohol," Director James asked the students when she met with them. "Some learn to become successful," said one student. "She may become a statistic," said another. " Or, she may grow up to become Director of OPM," Director James said.

"That little girl was me. When I was a child, I couldn't have imagined the things I would have the opportunity to do," Director James continued. "Children from my background do have a chance. The decisions you make today will affect your opportunities throughout the future. But don't think that what you do today can't be overcome. The sky is the limit for you."

Job shadowing is an academically motivating activity designed to give kids an up-close look at the world of work and to answer the question, "Why do I have to learn this?" Beginning with a nationwide kickoff on February 1, 2002, and continuing throughout the school year, students across America "shadow" workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job. The students get to see firsthand how the skills learned in school relate to the workplace. The Job Shadow Project is led by the National Job Shadow Coalition, whose members include America's Promise, Junior Achievement, and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Other government agencies also participated in the job shadowing program. For more information about OPM's participation in the Job Shadow Project contact Chad Cowan at 202-606-2402 or cdcowan@opm.gov. More information on "job shadowing" can be found at the Job Shadow website at http://www.jobshadow.org.