Job Shadowing Experience: Rowan-Salisbury Schools Students Explore Professional Roles
In the image captured by Chandler Inions, Morgan Monahan, Honesty Shankle, Aunye White, and Kylie Houchins observe Callie Miller as she works on a client’s hair at Posh Salon & Nail Bar during a job shadow event organized by Rowan-Salisbury Schools.
In China Grove, the Rowan-Salisbury Schools organized a job shadow day on Feb. 1, allowing high school students from various schools in the county to gain firsthand experience in different professional settings.
Kylie Houchins, an 11th-grade student at Carson High School, seized the opportunity to explore her interest in cosmetology during her visit to Posh Salon & Nail Bar.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Houchins shared, “I’ve always been passionate about hairstyling and envision incorporating it into my future endeavors.”
With a clear goal in mind since her sophomore year, Houchins is determined to pursue a cosmetology course at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College next year.
Callie Miller, the salon operator at Posh, welcomed Houchins and her peers to shadow her for the day. Reflecting on her own journey into cosmetology, Miller emphasized the value of such experiential learning opportunities, wishing she had similar exposure during her high school days.
During the shadowing experience, Miller guided the students through various aspects of salon operations, including appointment scheduling, client consultations, payment procedures, and even insights into tax management—a crucial aspect often overlooked in the industry.
Aside from Houchins, three other students—Morgan Monahan, Honesty Shankle, and Aunye White—accompanied Miller during the day. Each student expressed their unique interests, ranging from nail artistry to cosmetology and even exploring avenues for financial independence through diverse skill sets.
As the students immersed themselves in the salon environment, Miller provided valuable advice on post-schooling career paths, emphasizing the importance of specialized classes and different employment arrangements like booth rent or commission-based work.
Empowered with newfound knowledge and practical insights, these young women are now better equipped to make informed decisions about their future career paths, thanks to the enriching experience of the job shadow day.