Contributed by The Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce
DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. — Recently, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce partnered with Fort Payne High School and the DeKalb County Economic Development Board to help facilitate a job shadowing program for high school seniors.
To kick-off the program, we hosted a breakfast for 30 Fort Payne seniors, sponsored by America’s Best Care Plus. Jim Farmer, President/CEO of America’s Best Care Plus, was our speaker. Jim encouraged students to do something they love and was quick to say a passion may sometimes be better left as a hobby — amen! He also stressed the importance of following the 4-H creed:
- Use your HEAD for clear thinking
- Use your HEART to greater loyalty
- Use your HANDS for greater service
- Use your HEALTH for better living
Jim really explained the importance of this creed as it applies to everyday living and taking this with you through life.
We had several businesses attend the breakfast and speak about job shadowing opportunities in their place of business. Many thanks to Go Play Therapy, Comfort Care Hospice, Farmers Telecommunications Cooperative, DeKalb Regional Medical Center, Rising Leaders of DeKalb, America’s Best Care Plus, Heil, Jessica Blalock (career coach at Fort Payne High School), and the DeKalb County Economic Development Board.
A huge thanks to Valerie Barnes, education and training teacher, Key Club sponsor, senior sponsor and FTA/FCCLA sponsor at Fort Payne High School. These two ladies took the initiative to reach out to the Chamber to help start this program. While there are career coaches, who provide help with scholarships, career advice and preparedness throughout the year, getting the students in the businesses has been more challenging.
This will be a great partnership moving forward. Wouldn’t it be a great starting college or a technical program knowing you are going to enjoy it, or having a better idea anyway? I feel like parents should get excited too, think of the money you could save if your child actually started school with a clearer understanding of what they want to do?
If you are a Chamber member business, reach out to me at jennifer@fortpaynechamber.com and get involved with our job shadowing program. If you aren’t a member… why not?
For more information about America’s Best Care Plus, especially their no shot allergy program, visit americasbestcareplus.com. Thank you, Jim, for sponsoring our breakfast and for motivating everyone who attended the breakfast to be better person and employee!
