New Rotary job shadow program puts eighth-graders in workplace Posted by Joan Pringle | Apr 18, 2012 | 328 views

The conversation revolved around terms such as Encapsulated PostScript, vector lines and squeegees— all jargon related to graphic design and the screen printing business.

Paul and Nancy Godfrey, owners of Pacific Design Screen Printing, were explaining the crux of what they do to Anacortes Middle School students Alexandra Hanesworth and Elizabeth Frazier last week.

The students were among 19 eighth-graders who job-shadowed professionals for an hour or so the morning of April 11 through a new program sponsored by the Anacortes Rotary Club, which coordinated the event with middle school counselors Mary Kiser and Kathleen Root.

Jaymee Graves participated in veterinarian procedures at Fidalgo Animal Medical Center.

Andrew Collins, who shadowed Anacortes Fire Department Assistant Chief John Bird, visited the scene of a boat fire that happened just the night before.

Students who went to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island sat in a helicopter, visited the control tower and tried on tracking helmets.

Following the work place visits, the students were guests at the Rotarians’ weekly lunch meeting. Jack Darnton, vocational service committee chair, welcomed the students and told them the goal of the program was to let them see real work places and talk with professionals about what their careers were all about.

To participate in the program, the students had earlier filled out applications explaining what job they wanted to learn about — and why.