• Article Photo. Alysha Wehage sits at the judge's bench at Linn Co. Courthouse during a recent Legal Career Day.
    Alysha Wehage sits at the judge's bench at Linn Co. Courthouse during a recent Legal Career Day.
  • Article Photo. Alysha Wehage, right, was one of many students who learned more about the legal profession.
    Alysha Wehage, right, was one of many students who learned more about the legal profession.

 

     Alysha Wehage, Vinton-Shellsburg High School student, spent part of her day on November 3, 2010, at the United States District Court House. She wasn’t there to defend herself, nor to be on trial. Instead, she chose to learn about and explore a variety of careers within the legal system. Alysha, along with 11 other students from 9 area high schools, participated in Legal Day, a group job shadow experience coordinated by the Workplace Learning Connection in partnership with legal professionals and schools within the Grant Wood AEA 10.

     The day started off with the Clerk of Court welcoming the students and orienting them to the courthouse. They also spent time with a Chief Probation Officer, a Court Reporter, a Judge, an Attorney and a Paralegal. While many teens may be intrigued by a career in law, most do not have a clear picture of the scope of careers within the legal system and the training, education and background you must have to pursue a career within a given field. By receiving a well-rounded perspective of the variety of careers within a courthouse, Wehage is now prepared make more precise plans for her post-high school years.

     The Vinton-Shellsburg Community School District partners with Workplace Learning Connection to provide career exploration experiences such as Legal Day to their students. The goal is to equip today’s students for tomorrow’s careers by teaching 21st century skills such as job preparedness. An event such as Legal Day does not happen in a classroom. Ms. Sandy Hamilton at the V-SHS Guidance office encourages Vinton-Shellsburg students to take part in work-based learning activities like job shadows. To learn more about an opportunity to explore a career field, contact Ms. Hamilton or log on to www.workplace-learning.org