In an attempt to expose seniors to a work field they plan to pursue after high school, COOL Week will plant 75 seniors into a job shadowing position, Feb. 1-5. While some students participate the whole week, others only a few of the days, learning more about the profession.

“COOL Week is an amazing opportunity for our students,” College & Career Transition Coordinator Christina Wallace said. “They learn valuable real-world experience while networking and making connections that can lead to future job opportunities.”

A change in this year’s COOL Week program is the new College & Career Transition Coordinator Christina Wallace; Wallace replaced Kim Adcock who retired.

“Although Mrs. Adcock left some very large shoes to fill, I am very excited for the opportunity as the new College and Career Transition Coordinator,” Wallace said. “I am passionate about helping students plan and prepare for a future on both the collegiate and professional levels.”

This year 42 more seniors are participating compared to last year’s 33. The increase in numbers is due to more businesses signing up with the program.

These students, along with participants from the other four high schools, will visits businesses and organizations in the Austin area. Leander Police Department, Dell, Lago Vista High School and Lakeline Animal Care are just a few of the places seniors are assigned to. Senior Izzy Lopez is one of the seniors going to Northwest Surgery.

“I’m super excited to go to my COOL Week destination,” Lopez said. “I feel like it’s really going to prepare me for my career and open opportunities.”