***Kendall Vincent is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust.
On April 15, while Wethersfield High School juniors were deep in focus taking the ACT, the seniors were out exploring their futures during a special job shadow and college visit day.
This unique opportunity allowed students to step outside the classroom and immerse themselves in real-world environments aligned with their career aspirations or academic goals.
This year marked a change in tradition. In the past, job shadowing was coordinated through a partnership with the Kewanee Kiwanis, who helped organize placements and experiences for students in the community.
While the collaboration with Kiwanis has always been appreciated, Wethersfield chose to refresh the format in 2025, giving students more flexibility and ownership in choosing their placements or planning college visits.
The updated structure also allowed for a wider range of career fields and opportunities across different locations.
“It was directly focused on WHS kids instead of all the kiddos in this town,” said Jessica Seiden, the guidance counselor and member of the Graduation Committee at Wethersfield High School. “I think they both prepare students equally.”
Mrs. Lay, a member of the Graduation Committee, shared that they are “hoping to offer this again” and liked how the new format allowed for “more individualized opportunities.”
Seiden also hopes that next time the experience could be offered earlier in the school year — perhaps around December or January — to give students even more time to reflect and plan their next steps. Both agreed that this approach is a better way to meet each student’s needs more specifically.
From healthcare to construction, college campuses to creative studios, the range of experiences reflected the diverse dreams of the senior class. Here are some highlights:
Many seniors spent the day shadowing professionals in their fields of interest:
Other job shadow placements included Pioneer in Princeton for ag business, Martin Engineering for accounting, Trek Construction for carpentry, Chrissy VandeVelde for interior design, and Steve Newman for military.
For those leaning toward continuing their education, college visits offered a taste of campus life:
Not all seniors ventured off-site. Some students remained at school for class-related experiences focused on career readiness, continuing a structured educational day.
Many seniors thought this was a great opportunity and would recommend that next year’s class take full advantage of it. One student said, “Overall, it was a really good learning experience!” Another commented, “It was very much worth my time and gave a great representation of what I will be doing in the future.”
The job shadow and college visit day was a valuable experience for seniors, providing them with first-hand exposure to potential careers or colleges. It was a day full of learning outside the textbook — one that could shape the decisions and direction of their next chapters.
Wethersfield seniors and staff send out a big thank you to the companies, businesses, and people who helped out for allowing the Class of 2025 into their spaces and offering such meaningful shadowing opportunities.
As juniors tackled standardized testing and seniors envisioned their futures, April 15 marked a pivotal day for growth, exploration, and new traditions at Wethersfield High School.
