Julie McDonald Commentary: Professionals Mentor Students During TRiO/Rotary Job Shadow

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A student who wants to be an author? How exciting!

Of course, in my heart, I figured few students aspire to write nonfiction books like I do, but rather yearn to create fictional worlds where characters birthed in their imaginations live, breathe, fight and flourish.

So when Kathleen Vodjansky-Ward, assistant director of the TRiO program at Centralia College, invited me to participate as a mentor in the annual job shadowing program, I invited a writing critique colleague who writes fiction to join us.

Kyle Pratt, of Napavine, who writes science fiction and post-apocalyptic novels, joined me last Wednesday morning when we met Centralia High School junior Houston Norton at the college student center. We discussed our reasons for pursuing writing as a career, our training and experience, a typical writing day and the challenges we face. 

We also answered questions posed by Houston, who shadowed Chronicle Editor Eric Schwartz in the past. Then we visited Pratt’s office on Harmon Road (mine in Toledo should be declared a hazardous area) and joined other mentors and students for lunch at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chehalis.    

“It was informative and just fun to go around and learn about these things you wouldn’t normally be able to experience,” Houston said afterward.

Pratt said he enjoyed talking with Houston. “As a former teacher, I’m comfortable working with students and enjoy providing a glimpse into the writing profession,” he said.

Pratt and I were among 61 people in local businesses who agreed to mentor students during the 20th annual job shadowing event — the 18th in partnership with local Rotary clubs, Vodjansky-Ward said. Another 15 or 20 in the medical field will work with students later in the spring, after flu season, in an event sponsored by Providence Centralia Hospital. 

The program, which pairs students with veterinarians, mechanics, accountants, and people in dozens of other professions, was the brainchild of former W.F. West High School Principal Linda Smith.

“It really demonstrates how committed our community is to our young people,” TRiO Director Liisa Preslan said during the lunch.



Altogether, 80 sophomores, juniors and seniors participated — a dozen each from W.F. West and Rochester; 10 from Centralia; eight each from Onalaska and Winlock, six from Napavine; five each from Rainier, Toledo and White Pass; four from Pe Ell; three from Tenino; and two from Mossyrock.

My son shadowed a deputy from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office when he participated several years ago. I saw quite a few law and justice employees at the lunch, including Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer, who has participated every year since his election in 2011.

“I think one of the things often missing is the mentorship of the next generation to help in the ‘passing of the torch,’” Meyer said, noting that it’s important to “try on” different jobs to see what you like and dislike. “While you may not have to love your job, it is certainly easier if you don’t hate it.”

That’s so true. I’ve met many people who pursued education and training in one field, but left after only a year or two because the reality didn’t measure up to expectations. Job shadowing can provide a brief glimpse into a career students may want to pursue.

Through the job shadow program, Vodjansky-Ward said, “everyone benefits.”

“The students have the opportunity to explore and discover career paths/passions, while the mentors are presented with the opportunity to reflect and rediscover what it is that they love about their careers,” she said.

She’s right. I love writing, whether it’s newspaper articles, columns, nonfiction books — or even a fictional account. And I love to read, so I look forward to the next generation of writers who will keep me informed and entertained.

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Julie McDonald, a personal historian from Toledo, may be reached at memoirs@chaptersoflife.com.