AIGA Chicago and Chicago Public Schools are teaming up for a third year to present Job Shadow 2009. Junior and senior level CPS students will gain first-hand experience in the professional field of design by spending a half-day with a volunteer design firm in this job shadow program. The goal of this educational program is to show students the value of a higher education in design and to encourage a new generation of diverse and passionate professionals. To reach this goal AIGA Chicago needs volunteer interactive and design firms, in-house design studios and other creative organizations to host one or more CPS students.

Volunteer Host Criteria
-Located in Chicago
-Near public transportation
-5 or more employees to ensure student experiences a variety of design positions
-Computer stations to accommodate students

Job Shadow 2009 Days
October 21, 2009
October 22, 2009
On one or both of these days, your office can host as many students as you like.

The exact itinerary is up to each firm, but here are basic elements of the morning: office tour, portfolio discussion, career conversations (what your firm does, war stories and what you love about your career), advise students on steps they can take now to seek a career in design, project time (there will be a small exercise provided by AIGA/CPS for the students to do under your guidance) and lunch.

For more information on or to sign-up as a host firm please contact Richard Zeid, Education Chair at RZDesign@aol.com by September 30, 2009.