New York, NY (January 17, 2006)—Approximately 150 high school juniors and seniors of diverse backgrounds are scheduled to shadow magazine professionals at their workplaces, it was announced today by Shaunice Hawkins, Director of Diversity Development, Magazine Publishers of America (MPA). Students will shadow professionals of every level—from CEOs, editors, and publishers to circulation directors, designers, paralegals, technology associates, production managers and ad sales representatives. Magazine publishers will sponsor “shadows” nationally, in cities such as Birmingham, AL; Oceanside, CA; San Francisco, CA; Washington, DC; Miami, FL; Chicago, IL; Boston, MA; Watertown, MA; New York, NY; Manhasset, NY; Dallas, TX; and St. Charles, IL.
“We are thrilled to see an increase in participation over 2004, the first year the magazine industry joined the Job Shadow program as part of our diversity efforts. Job shadowing has proven to be an effective way to motivate students by showing them how academics are applied to the workplace,” said Hawkins. “It is a great way for our members to introduce students of all ethnicities and backgrounds to the magazine publishing industry, and an opportunity for our members to meet their future talent pools.”
MPA members participating in Job Shadow 2006 include: ALM Media, Inc.; American Express Publishing Corp.; AMI/Weider (Fit Pregnancy); CMP Media, LLC.; Consumers Union; Dorchester Media (Black Beat, Black Romance, Bronze Thrills, Metal Maniacs, Right On!, True Confessions, True Experience, True Love, True Romance and True Story); Earl Graves Publishing (Black Enterprise); Emmis Communications; Hearst Magazines (CosmoGirl!); Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S.; International Data Group (IDG) (PC World and International Publishing Services); Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, (Martha Stewart Living and Body & Soul); PlanetOut Inc.; Primedia (Power & Motoryacht); Rodale (Women's Health); Southern Progress Corp. (Coastal Living); Taunton Press; Time Inc. (LIFE and People); Time Warner Inc.; Time Out New York; TransWorld Media; and Working Mother Media.
In its ninth year, national Job Shadow Day is a coordinated effort of America’s Promise - The Alliance for Youth, Junior Achievement, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Labor. National partners include the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and Magazine Publishers of America (MPA). ING is the national title sponsor of Job Shadow Day 2006. Valpak.com is a national co-sponsor.
For more information on Job Shadow Day and ongoing magazine industry diversity initiatives, please visit www.magazine.org/diversity.
