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Interactive Virtual Job Shadows Inventory Grows to 33

Plans to have 50 modules online for SC students and educators by the fall

Microburst Learning announced today that it has completed 14 new Virtual Job Shadows that promote careers in construction, health care, hospitality, transportation and manufacturing to the state’s middle and high school students. The following featured careers are now available for students, educators and parents to access online via the SC Personal Pathways to Success™ web portal (www.scpathways.org):

Architecture & Construction Cluster (funded by a grant from the Construction Trades Partnership, ABC Carolinas and Mechanical Contractors’ Association of South Carolina)
• Rigger/Crane Operator
• Controls & Low Voltage Wiring
• Masonry
• Sheet Metal Fabricator

Education & Training Cluster
• Teacher (sponsored by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention and Advancement)

Health Science Cluster
• Physical Therapist (sponsored by Palmetto Health)
• Physician Practice Manager (sponsored by Health Sciences South Carolina)
• Emergency Medical Services (sponsored by SC Hospital Association)
• Health Informatics (sponsored by SC Hospital Association)
• Radiology Technologist (sponsored by SC Hospital Association)

Hospitality & Tourism Cluster
• Food Service Manager (funded by a grant from Alcoa to the Education Foundation)

Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Cluster
• Manufacturing Engineer (funded by a grant from Alcoa to the Education Foundation)

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Cluster (funded by the SC Automobile Dealers’ Association)
• Automotive Technician
• Collision Repair Technician

Several of the recently completed modules were developed under grants awarded to the Mechanical Contractors’ Association, The Education Foundation in Charleston, and the South Carolina Hospital Association, all with a goal of promoting a variety of career opportunities to the state’s young people. And one of the state’s newest businesses, Google, has recently provided funding for three more Virtual Job Shadows.

“We are very excited to have expanded our inventory to 33 modules and are well on our way to completing 50 Virtual Job Shadows by the fall,” explained Microburst CEO Jordy Johnson. “Our team is currently working on lessons that will feature jobs in the forestry, engineering, community development, information technology, nuclear and transportation sectors.”

“We couldn’t accomplish this work without the help of our business and education partners who contribute valuable time and resources as subject matter experts who share their stories about what it’s like to work in their particular career, and we are truly grateful for their continued support,” Johnson added. “When we share these modules with educators around the state, they are blown away by how informative and interactive our lessons are, and we know many more of them will incorporate these Virtual Job Shadows into their classrooms this next school year.”

The Virtual Job Shadows were created when members of the original Education and Economic Development Act steering committee were looking for convenient and cost-effective ways to have students across the state participate in extended learning opportunities as they researched various careers. By participating in interactive lessons online, students are able to learn about jobs they might otherwise not have access to because of their location, safety concerns, or logistical issues of bringing teens onto job sites. The Virtual Job Shadows feature a wide spectrum of choices and not just careers that require a college diploma. Students learn about a variety of occupations as well as what skills and training they need to have to attain a specific job. They also learn about pay scales, opportunities for advancement, soft and technical skills needed for careers, and tips from successful people in that field about what they are looking for in future employees.

Microburst Learning is a SC-based firm that offers highly interactive approaches for personal and professional development. They provide virtual services to students for career planning, employment seeking, training, and other support functions as well as custom e-learning content to meet education and business clients’ training needs.