School Business Partnership Committee

The School Business Partnership Committee assists in preparing students for meaningful employment in the workplace by developing programs for internships, career exploration, mentoring and job shadowing.

The business community recognizes the importance of students having the right skills and knowledge base to perform on the job. With a database of 600 businesses, the Chamber sees its membership as an incredible resource for matching students and teachers with local businesses. Students obtain knowledge through hands on experience and through curriculum that relates to the current business trends such as technology, interpersonal skills and organization. Only business can provide students and teachers with this information. It is to the business community's benefit to get involved and work with the schools to produce successful employees, which in turn produces a successful business, which in turn produces a successful community.

The following are School-to-Career programs sponsored by the Davis Chamber of Commerce and the Davis Joint Unified School District:

Teacher Business Exchange: October-February

The Teacher Business Exchange partners teachers (pre-school through adult education) with business people. Faculty has an opportunity to spend time with business partners to increase their understanding of the knowledge, skills and expectations of the workplace. Business partners visited students in the classroom and discussed the work and careers in their industry or company.

Groundhog Job Shadow Month: February

Cast a Big Shadow to Brighten a Student's Future! Your chance to make a difference in the workforce of the future - in just a few short hours - is happening on Groundhog Job Shadow Month 2001. In February, the Davis Chamber of Commerce- School Business Partnership Committee and the Davis Joint Unified School District, Making Connections program are launching a Davis area job shadow event for Davis students. Employees who want to participate in this Groundhog Day can contact Lori Sternberg at 756-5160 to sign up.

As you already know, the best way to learn is by doing. Job shadowing gives young people the chance to learn about the world of work by spending part of a day in the workplace. They get a first-hand look at what a "real job" is like. But more importantly, job shadowing shows students how the skills they learn in school will be put into action in the workplace.

Participating employees will be matched with one or two students who will spend time with them as they do their jobs. They get the opportunity to assist students in making connection between learning and earning. Employees may even discover something new about their own talents while having fun sharing their day with interested students.

Youth in Government Week: March

The Davis Chamber of Commerce will be participating in the 2001 Youth In Government Day scheduled for March. We are strong supporters of this program as it gives students an opportunity to learn hands on how our community government operates. Students will be job shadowing many government positions, planning a City Council agenda, staging a mock City Council meeting and listening to many valuable speakers.

The Chamber of Commerce has always hosted the wrap-up luncheon with our Chairman acting as master of ceremonies through the lunch program. In order to make this luncheon a success for the students, we need several $50.00 donations. If you are interested in being a part of this program and would like to see our students take an active role in the community government, please call Lori Sternberg at 756-5160.

Career Days: April

Career Days give our young people a better idea of the diversity of jobs that are now in our world. In just a few years our students will be faced with making some choices that will have a significant impact on their future. Our young people will hopefully have answers to some pretty tough questions. What career shall I choose? What college shall I go to? What do I do after high school? Which training program do I choose? The Career Days at Emerson and Holmes Junior High Schools will help students explore possibilities. The format for Career Day is quite simple. Participants will be placed with one or two other professionals within a broad career field (example: health field - physical therapist, dentist and veterinarian). Students will then rotate rooms giving them the opportunity to hear from around nine different professions.

Student of the Month: On-going

Each month the Chamber of Commerce recognizes an outstanding student employee at the Monthly Luncheon. The business employing the student shares their experiences working with the student and a certificate is awarded. Following the luncheon the Chamber will arrange to have their photo taken for the Davis Enterprise newspaper.