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Area Student Learns Career Path Early

By May 1, 2009January 16th, 2019No Comments

Jay Hake got real insights, built architectural studies through Workplace Learning

–by Nanci Young, Workplace Learning Connection

Jay Hake has known that he wanted to be an architect since elementary school. He just didn’t know how to go about pursuing his dream.

So, Jay did something that kick-started his future. As a junior at Linn-Mar High School in 2003, Jay applied for a one-day job shadow. The Workplace Learning Connection coordinated the job shadow with Al Varney, vice president of architecture at Ament Architecture and Surveying, Cedar Rapids.

When Al agreed to open his doors to a teen-ager to spend a day sharing his career experience, he did not know that he would be gaining a future employee. Business people who participate in work-based learning events such as job shadows, career fairs, worksite tours and classroom speakers have no guarantees that this will impact their bottom line. Business professionals participate because it feels good to share their insight and knowledge with the younger generation. But, in Jay Hake’s case, this job shadow day made a significant impact on his future and the future of Ament Inc.

With the knowledge gained from a one-day job shadow, Jay went into his high school senior year knowing what classes he should take to give him a jump on his college studies.

After graduating Linn-Mar, he attended Central College in Pella, Iowa, double-majoring in Business Management and Art. The summer of his college freshman year, he called Ament Inc. and asked if they would take him as a summer intern.

Within fifteen minutes, Jay had his answer. He spent the next three summers working as an architect intern at Ament. Part of Jay’s senior college year was spent in Chicago, interning for a smaller architectural firm in a big city. All along the way, Jay received hands-on experience to fulfill his dream of becoming an architect.

After graduation, Jay came back to Cedar Rapids to work at Ament Inc. However, his academic career is not over. He has been accepted at the University of Kansas in the fall of 2009 to pursue a Master’s degree in Architecture [M.Arch.] and may attend grad school in California to receive another advanced degree in Urban Planning [M.U.P.]. When Jay receives these degrees, he will be following in the footsteps of his mentor, Al Varney, V.P. of Architecture at Ament Inc.

Jay will “definitely consider” moving back to Cedar Rapids and working at Ament Inc. after his Masters studies. He says, “I have a pretty good relationship here. Ament is a great company!”

Did Jay feel that his job shadow experience was worthwhile? “Absolutely!” His parents encouraged him to do the job shadow and many of his friends at Linn-Mar went on job shadows, too. He wanted to find out what it was like … “the general atmosphere” … and hoped that a job shadow would help put things into perspective. “Al helped me know what paths you could take to become an architect.”

Although Jay followed a slightly different under-graduate path, Al showed him how to move forward with his dream. Jay didn’t know anyone who was an architect until he met Al, but he loved to draw and was “fascinated with the built environment.”

Does Jay believe in the job shadow experience for other high schoolers? Well, he will “absolutely” be a job shadow host himself once he’s an architect and is even interested in seeking out opportunities to mentor youth.

Jay Hake is a success story for work-based learning experiences proving that job shadows can make a positive difference in the life of a teen.