Press release
from North Carolina Business Committee for Education
Students@Work Week is February 25 – March 1, 2013
Raleigh, NC, February 25, 2013 – North Carolina’s schools and businesses are kicking off the third annual Students@Work Week. The goal of the week is to raise North Carolina’s graduation rate by offering middle school students a look at future opportunities in the workplace.
Due to a strong partnership between the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, more than 22,700 middle school students in all 100 counties will be taking part in job shadowing and job mentoring programs. “This initiative recognizes the vital role North Carolina’s business community plays in the education of our state’s students,” said NCBCE Chair Dale Whitworth. “Giving them the chance to connect their classroom experience to the real world of work means they are more likely to stay in school and graduate.”
More than 190 businesses will take part in this year’s Students@Work program. Because of them, students will get a chance to learn firsthand about careers in such fields as technology, healthcare, the legal system, energy production, biotechnology and banking. Some of the programs that will be taking place throughout the week include refurbishing computers for students who may not have one at home; taking part in a “STEM learning” game show presented by Radio Disney AM 1480 Charlotte; getting hands-on with science; and even meeting a Supreme Court Justice.
The Students@Work initiative focuses its efforts on middle school students because middle school is a pivotal point for dropout prevention. “If we can stimulate a young person’s interest in even just one potential career and what it takes to get there, we stand a much better chance of keeping that child in school,” said state schools Superintendent June Atkinson.
A complete list of participating organizations and more information about Students@Work Week can be found at www.ncbce.org or contact Robyn Mooring at 919-302-0259 or via email at RKMproductions@nc.rr.com.
About the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE)
The North Carolina Business Committee for Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit comprised of business leaders from across the state. NCBCE’s mission focuses on ensuring that every student in North Carolina graduates from high school ready for life and work in a global society.
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