Newtown High School's Career Center is seeking adults in the community to help support programs for students - from speaking in classrooms to offering unpaid learning experiences.latowickik@newtown.k12.ct.us. Or call the NHS Career Center at 203-426-7679.ragainip@newtown.k12.ct.us

School to Career Counselor Peg Ragaini and College/Career Center Coordinator Kitty Latowicki said September 21 that the high school is seeking local professionals to talk with students in the school's TAP (The Afterschool Program) classes, offer shadowing opportunities, provide unpaid learning experiences, mentor students in the school's Junior/Senior Project course, and offer other classroom presentations.

The opportunities all, Ms Ragaini said, offer students the chance to "see what it is like in a field they would be interested in."

Offering a shadowing opportunity for a student would typically last about three to six hours, according to Ms Ragaini.

With an unpaid learning experience, Ms Latowicki said, the student completes 30 hours over a semester attending the job. All students are required to attend Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) training before starting an unpaid learning experience.

Students are also required to submit a written reflection of time spent in the work environment once their experience is complete.

The Junior/Senior Project course is designed to offer students the chance to build on existing strengths and to provide the opportunity to explore a subject or career they are passionate about outside of the classroom, while developing a career-oriented relationship with a community professional as a mentor in the student's area of chosen interest.

Ms Ragaini said mentoring a student in the course typically requires about ten hours of commitment over the course of a semester from the mentor.

"We're looking for volunteers in all areas of careers... in all professions," said Ms Latowicki.

When people from the community share time with students, Ms Ragaini said it "really makes a difference," adding that everyone who offers support is appreciated.

Both Ms Ragaini and Ms Latowicki also remind local businesses that have job openings that they can contact the NHS Career Center to have those openings posted on the school's Jobs Board.

, and Ms Ragaini at Reach Ms Latowicki by e-mail at