This opportunity, made available through Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, is beneficial to both students and employees; allowing students get an up-close look at the work world while employees become positive role models, preparing students for tomorrow’s workforce.

“It's always a treat for Proctor's staff to explain to students exactly what goes on ‘behind the scenes’ at the theatre,” said Director of Public Relations and Promotions Kathy Jarvis. “It makes their eyes light up and makes them smile. Our goal is to keep the kids smiling, keep the sparkle in their eyes, to encourage interest in the arts and offer them unique opportunities to see live performances.”
 
Students gained significant knowledge of the area they chose to visit at Proctors—advertising, public relations, stage, acting or business.

Morgan Kelly chose advertising. “I thought it was beneficial because I don’t know what I want to do with my life right now,” she said. Although she’s pretty sure she doesn’t want to go into advertising, Kelly said the experience was fun and interesting to learn about.

“It’s kind of fascinating to see how everything works,” said Catie Coxon who worked with the stage crew tearing down a set in preparation for a new one. Although she had been to Proctors before, Coxon said the stage was a lot bigger than she thought.
 
Students toured several areas of the facilities at TransTech. Zach Martineau, who has taken several architectural drawing/engineering classes at DCS wasn’t sure if he wanted to go into engineering or architecture. While he thought watching the employees crush samples of cement and determine their strength was interesting, he decided that he doesn’t want to pursue a career working with concrete and asphalt. “It doesn’t sound as much fun as drawing buildings,” he said.

According to school counselor Alicia Kirkpatrick, this is the third step in the career process for high school students. Students participate in a career fair during their freshman year; a career expo during sophomore year and job-shadowing as juniors.

“It is never too early to start exploring career opportunities,” said Kirkpatrick. “While student’s ideas and preferences may change this is all a part of a High School—learning who they are and what they want to do—each year students make decisions and their plans start to fall into place.”

Following the program, each of the students wrote thank you letters to their host company. “I thought it was very generous of them to give their time to us,” said Coxon. “It’s quite an honor.”