Job shadowing program at Panorama on the Peak

by Megan Scott, Community Educator for the Morgan County Partnership

The Kids in Community (KIC) Job Shadowing Program is kick starting careers for youth in Morgan County! The program allows students to explore and experience “real life” work in their chosen career field.

During a job shadow, students observe an employee for a short period of time to learn about a specific business, industry, or profession.
The program provides the opportunity for students to see the relationship between their educational experience and their career choice.

Currently, there are 14 active students in the program who have been placed with mentors who work in pediatrics, nursing, forensics, law, and the restaurant business.

One of the mentor businesses is the Panorama on the Peak, which is a local restaurant serving meals made from fresh, local produce. The team at the Panorama on the Peak; Patti Miller, Leslie Hotaling and Scott Collinash, have all taken a personal role in showing their student the “in and outs” of the restaurant business, ranging from food preparation techniques to restaurant management.

They have provided their time, guidance and expertise to their mentee, Leslie Baxter, a soon-to-be 11th grader at Berkeley Springs High School; for almost four months. The Panorama team, like all mentors, has created a positive environment for Baxter to explore her career options.

If interested in becoming a mentor or learning more about the program, contact Pat Unger, KIC Program Coordinator at 304-258-7807. The KIC program is a collaboration of the Morgan County Partnership, Morgan County Schools, the WV Community Action Agency and the Workforce Career Center.