With the aim of better engaging students and helping them reach their educational goals, "this year I decided to break up that large group and allow some students to move forward with more advanced material and opportunities," explains Youth Programs Coordinator Tanya Uyigue. "I created an Advanced Job Training class for juniors and seniors who had participated in the program for multiple years. This allows students to learn at the appropriate level and creates smaller classes."

A group of 12 students began the Advanced Job Training class in November and will continue through August. These students will focus on preparing for their "real life" job search and career exploration process, she explains. "The longer classes allow more time for students to practice writing cover letters, recite elevator speeches, learn how to work job fairs, communicate via email the appropriate way, and more."

At the end of the advanced program, each student will have created a "career portfolio" that includes recommendation letters, writing samples, a resume, references, awards, and other materials to showcase their skills and talents. Not only will this portfolio help students stand out during job interviews, it will also be helpful when applying to colleges and for scholarships.

Another opportunity offered to advanced students is a "job shadow" with a professional in their field of interest. "Each student has created a job shadow wish list -- a list of careers they would love to see up close," says Tanya. This group's list includes a chef, a teacher, a computer technician, a lawyer, a pharmacist, and an electrician, among others.

"When students receive the opportunity to interact with professionals in various fields, they will be better equipped to make an informed decision about a career in the years to come," says Tanya. "My goal is to give the students in our program as much information as possible through job shadowing, conducting informational interviews, and hands-on experiences. I don't want the students to watch Grey's Anatomy and decide they want to pursue a career in healthcare because it looks cool. I would rather they interview a doctor, shadow a nurse, and intern at a hospital before they invest their time, energy, and money in that career."

Clearly a job shadow is a wonderful opportunity for students, but it takes the help of working professionals to make it happen. The Tutoring program is currently in need of volunteers in various fields who are willing to be interviewed by a student and/or allow a student to shadow them for two or three hours at work sometime between January and June. "In addition, I am always looking for local businesses to host one of our Job Training students as an intern at no cost for eight weeks this summer," says Tanya.

Please contact Tanya for more information, or visit the Job Training section of the Chicago Lights website for more volunteer opportunities!

For more information about Chicago Lights Tutoring Job Training & Career Development, contact Tanya Uyigue, Youth Programs Coordinator at tuyigue@fourthchurch.org or 312.274.3828