MARY BALDASANO / SPECIAL TO THE PVT Young women pause with their sponsors before beginning the Shadow Your Future Program. Advertisement

Soroptomists International of Pahrump Valley (SIPV) began its 2006-07 fiscal year with a bang by sponsoring the Shadow Your Future Program. In coordination with the Pahrump Valley High School, applications were provided to and then submitted by junior and senior female students with plans for a career in several areas, and who were recommended by teachers.

The program is designed to give the students insight into their career decisions. Training began on Saturday, Oct. 14, with an introduction by Linda Fitzgibbons, committee chairman and SIPV president, Willi Baer, Career Fundamentals, and RaJean Higginson, author of "Lady Covington: Dressing for your Future."

Monday, the girls were matched with local business, justice department, education and medical officials to follow them through their work day, seeing firsthand the demands of their selected career fields.

Baer discussed do's and don'ts of job interviews, such as: Do answer questions as briefly and concisely as possible, try not to ramble but come right to the point; and don'ts such as: Don't wear shorts, jeans, bare midriffs, or have tattoos or body piercings.

She also addressed how to keep a job once one is employed: honesty is always the best policy, arrive early on the first day to allow for any administrative requirements, avoid office gossip, be loyal, etc. Baer also provided a copy of a sample resume to each participant.

Higginson helped the girls learn how to dress by giving ideas on how to determine their personality type, emphasizing that personality and dress need to match, body shape, life styles, wardrobe, face and neck needs, use of color and much more. (Her book, "Lady Covington," is scheduled for publication in the near future.)

The change of appearance on Monday was noteworthy. The girls had traded in jeans, T-shirts, and tennis shoes in putting the training to work. They were striking in the professionalism displayed through proper business attire.

Fitzgibbons explained the rules of engagement for working with sponsors and how to conduct themselves while visiting the various career areas. Mainly, she advised them to ask plenty of questions, offer to help in small ways, discuss educational requirements, but, most of all -- have fun.

Students participating in the program included: Brittney Amuya, Courtenay Burnes, Angela Cafeo, Maggie Clouser, Sierra Kreotzman, Sara Lee, Stephanie Massimino, Marie Meigar, Isabel Pina, Karen Visser, Amanda Wagner, Brittney Wilson, and Brianna Dague.

Feedback from the girls was very positive. Cafeo (sponsored by Tonya Brum at Nathan Adelson Hospice) said, "It was really nice to do. It helped a lot. I attended a staff meeting and was able to see how different offices interacted. It was a great opportunity, and others should definitely participate if possible. It was really worthwhile."

Dague (sponsored by Keily Miller at Channel 30/62) added, "It was fun.

"I was able to see all the equipment used in broadcasting, editing, talked with the station manager, and was even on the air. It confirmed my career choice. I was even offered a temporary part-time job. It was a very good introduction to my career choice."

Sponsors for the girls included Miller and Brum; Paula Eckel, Classic Realty; Sarah Hopkins, Early Childhood Special Education; Marsha Kenyon, Nevada Federal Credit Union; Dr. Merit Avram, Advanced Medical; Laurayne Murray, Town Board; Judge Tina Brisebill, Justice Court; Linda Reed, Nye County School District (NCSD), Linda Fitzgibbons, NCSD, and Electa Hewlett from Dr. George Leaks Office.

Brum said her shadower "was great to work with as she was very intelligent, looked very professional, and asked plenty of questions about event coordination. It was a great day. I'm sure that next year's program will be just as wonderful."

The response from both students and sponsors was highly favorable, making it a huge success in its first year of operation. Information on SIPV is available by contacting Brum at 775-209-3896. SIPV is for women only.