Job Shadowing at JCC Chicago

What do I want to be when I grow up? This is a question I was asked to think about at the beginning of the school year in my Consumer Education class. As a senior at Glenbrook North High School, being “grown up” doesn’t feel that far away anymore so when we learned about what careers can fit us best I thought shadowing Sam Bolen, JCC Chicago’s Teen Engagement Coordinator, would be really interesting and would be a great fit for me.

I am very involved in the Jewish community, and I can see myself working at a local JCC wherever I end up living. I am heavily involved in my internship with StandWithUs, I serve on the Regional Executive board of USY as Israel Affairs VP, as well as being a part of the Beber Camp community where I’ve spent all my summers for the past 9 years. As a teen who is growing each day, I get to learn a lot and shadowing Sam gave me a sneak peek into the Jewish non-profit world. I had the opportunity to meet with members of JCC Chicago’s leadership team, Addie Goodman, President & CEO, Brad Finkel, Chief Operating Officer, and Johanna Fine, Chief Human Resources Officer, and I learned about how JCC Chicago functions as an organization, how they raise money to be able to run their programs, and how supportive the organization is to both people who participate in the J’s programs and come to use their facilities, and the employees who make it all possible.

While my leadership in the Jewish community is a lot of work, all of it is fun and full of exciting challenges, and so was my day with Sam. I was asked to help brainstorm some potential ideas for The Revere program, a teen hang-out space at Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook. I also took over posting for JCC Teens Instagram for the day and all my friends were so jealous!

This job shadowing experience was a great way for me to confirm that I want to pursue a career in the Jewish nonprofit world after I graduate from college. When I’m passionate about something I give it my all, and I stick to it. I motivate myself and know that I can do anything I dream to do. Thank you to everyone at the J, especially Sam, for helping me see my career path more clearly. I’m excited for my future!