A LEARNING EXPERIENCE; STUDENTS GET TASTE OF WORKING LIFE.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Justin Wayland plans to go to college on a baseball scholarship in the fall but he's planning now for his second career.

On Wednesday, the Canyon High School student participated in a ride- along with Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Deputy Tom Drake as part of a National Job Shadow Day.

``I've had an interest in it for a long time,'' said Wayland, 17. ``I have younger brothers and sisters and I think it's important to have good officers.''

Besides learning about options in law enforcement, Wayland got to assist Drake first-hand as the pair spent 3 1/2 hours patrolling the city.

As Drake's partner for the day, Wayland helped on a backup call to assist with an irate motorist, stopped a motorist with an expired registration tags and warned a 16-year-old who was found smoking on his way to school.

``It's really a good experience,'' Wayland said. ``I really enjoyed it.''

Wayland said that he was surprised to see such a great response from people. ``A lot of people waved as we drove by,'' he said. ``I didn't expect that.''

Wayland was one of 60 Canyon High students participating in the Nationwide Groundhog Job Shadow Day organized locally by the Santa Clarita Valley School and Business Alliance.

Last year, a dozen students took part in job shadowing, the first time a local program was offered.

``This is the third year of the national awareness day,'' said Ann Kerman, executive director of the alliance.

Created by four national groups, the day is designed to showcase the values of job shadowing and emphasizes career exploration.

``Their goal is to put a million kids in a job shadow,'' said Kerman. ``Last year, they had 600,000 nationally.''

This year, students were given eight career choice paths - arts, media and entertainment, agriculture, business, engineering, health, home economics, industrial technology and public and human service.

Although Wednesday's program was part of a nationwide effort, locally officials offer students the program all year long.

``The good thing is that the many of the high schools are beginning to require a shadow experience,'' Kerman said. ``Once it becomes embedded into the curriculum, there is a longevity to it.''

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Sheriff's deputy Tom Drake talks to Canyon High senior Justin Wayland about a traffic stop Wednesday morning. Wayland rode with Drake to learn about law enforcement as part of the National Job Shadow Day.

(2 -- color) Canyon High senor Justin Wayland watches as Deputy Tom Drake confronts a student about smoking before school Wednesday.

Shaun Dyer/Special to the Daily News