Smith Career Center (0128)

          Blacksburg, VA  24061

          540/231-6241 Fax: 540/231-3293

          Email:  career.services@vt.edu

          www.career.vt.edu

Dear Chamber of Commerce Members,

I am the coordinator of the Job Shadowing Program at Virginia Tech's Career Services. If you are not already aware of this program, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to it. Job shadowing is a volunteer opportunity for students to spend one to five days observing and working with professionals, and experiencing a typical week on the job. This program is designed to assist students in researching possible career options and learning how their academic major can be applied out in the real world. We at Career Services provide a database of companies for students to assist them in locating employers that will provide them with a beneficial job shadowing experience. At this time, we are currently looking for more sponsors to participate in the program, and who better than Blacksburg and the surrounding community!

Job shadowing experiences can be held during an academic semester, in the summer, or during university breaks. You can choose the length of your job shadowing experience, whether it is a single day, an entire week, or any amount of days in-between. Please remember that this is a job shadowing experience that allows students to explore a career field and experience a normal work week. Some possible activities for students include a tour of your facilities, attending meetings, performing general office tasks, meeting with other employees in the company to learn more about their job functions and assisting on projects.

Other than your time, there are absolutely no cost to participate in this program for you as the sponsor. Students are responsible for all of their expenses including transportation, lodging, and meals. I would encourage you to visit the Job Shadowing section of our website where you will find additional information on our program: http://www.career.vt.edu/Externship/welcome.html.If you are ready to sponsor a Virginia Tech job shadowing experience, please place your information on Hokies-4-Hire if you already have an account, and if you do not already have an account please contact me at ksteuer@vt.edu and I will forward directions on how to create an account.

I hope that you will consider becoming a Virginia Tech Job Shadow Sponsor and in doing so, give back to the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg community. I look forward to having the opportunity to work with you this year. If you have any questions or would like to receive an information packet with additional information, please call me at (540) 231-8081 or email me at ksteuer@vt.edu.

Sincerely,

Katie Steuer 

Coordinator, Job Shadow Program

The Class of 2011 has set new standards within the scope of Leadership New River Valley. They recently learned of a need for a scholarship for a non-profit leader to attend the 2012 program. They immediately sprang into action and within 72 hours had committed contributions from within their class to cover the cost of the scholarship. Several members expressed their desire to "make it possible for another to benefit from the program".

The value of non-profits attending Leadership New River Valley is valuable because of networking opportunities and the application of the leadership principles which can help build capacity through an increase in volunteers, ideas, and opportunities for fundraising.

This class was the first of the Montgomery County Leadership programs to design and implement a community service project. Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program (MCEAP) was the recipient of the class efforts. These efforts were measured using a benefit to cost ration and resulted in a $3.02 to $1.00 return to MCEAP.