High School Students Get Down to Business

A group of Capistrano Valley High School students Thursday learned what life is really like in the business world during the fifth annual Youth in Business Day.

About 31 businesses in South County opened their doors to 46 career-oriented students for a day of professional exploration and enlightenment.

The students, who ranged from freshmen to seniors, asked questions and made new friends as they shadowed professionals in a variety of fields, from law enforcement to photography and medicine.

“It was great,” sophomore Joe Ferris, who spent the day at Mission Wrap & Mail, said of the program. “I learned about the store and how to run a business. . . . I really want to own a business when I’m older, so I wanted to get some background.”

Sponsored by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Capistrano Unified School District and the Capistrano-Laguna Beach Regional Occupational Program, the event is a voluntary program that pairs students with professionals in fields they are interested in pursuing after high school.

“It’s very positive,” said Tom Facon, executive director of the chamber. “It kind of gives the student a look at the real world.”

Dr. Joseph K. Cortese of the Capistrano Veterinary Clinic has welcomed students into his office for the last couple of years. Dressed in medical smocks, his two students were active participants, looking at X-rays and peering over the doctor’s shoulder as he checked on a puppy, spayed a dog and administered shots to his furry patients.

The program, Cortese said, “exposes the kids to the field. . . . It’s good for them to know what it’s all about.”

Following the day of job-shadowing, participants met to eat and discuss what they learned. Students were also asked to talk about their experiences and evaluate the program.