BANGOR – While folks in Punxsutawney, Pa., anxiously waited to see if Phil the groundhog would see his shadow, students from the Penobscot Job Corps Academy had the opportunity to participate in the national youth initiative Groundhog Job Shadow Day. Jessica Sherwood, 20, of Manchester, N.H.; Mitch Sowa, 18, of Dixmont; and staff member Renae Muscatell, business and community liaison, traveled to Washington, D.C., to job shadow U.S. Sen. Susan Collins.

Sherwood and Sowa sat in on the Hurricane Katrina hearings. Collins, chairwoman of the committee, and U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut conducted the hearings to examine the government action in dealing with Hurricane Katrina.

Collins called it “inconceivable” that officials didn’t make it a priority to save nursing home and hospital patients, at least 200 of whom died. “Information like that will really stick with me,” Sherwood said.

After the Hurricane Katrina hearings, students went to lunch with two interns working in the senator’s office. They enjoyed a guided tour of the Capitol and the day concluded with an opportunity for photos and a meeting with Collins.

Both students were inspired by the trip. “The work force is so young there. I was surprised to see people my age engaged in our political world, and it opened my eyes to consider new opportunities for myself,” said Sherwood.

“I knew I wanted to go on to college after Job Corps, but going to D.C. inspired me to consider possibilities I hadn’t thought about before,” Sowa said.

Local businesses such as Snowman’s Printing, the Sea Dog restaurant, the Muddy Rudder restaurant, Attitudes Hair Salon, Bear Brook Kennel, New England School of Communication and Frank’s Bakery are a few of the employers where Job Corps students were invited to job shadow.

Welding students Michael McPherson, 20, of Winthrop and Nathaniel Allen, 19, of Blue Hill job shadowed at the Bangor Police Department.

Culinary arts student Victoria Haskell job shadowed at the Old Town Police Department.

“Local businesses opened their doors to our students and it was a great boost for the participating students” said Jessica Ledien, work-based learning coordinator for Penobscot Job Corps.

In appreciation, the Job Corps was the host for a luncheon on March 2 in honor of the participating businesses.

“Here at the Academy, we are devoted to preparing our students for the workplace. The support of local business owners and employers plays a key role in giving our students work experience. We are grateful to Senator Collins and the local employers who opened their doors to our students,” said Muscatell.