KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa., Nov. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Norristown High School students today teamed upwith AT&T* employees to participate in the AT&T / JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative, a five-year effort to increase high school retention and workforce readiness. In its third year, the initiative has reached more than 80,000 students, over half of the program's total goal to impact the lives of 100,000 students across the U.S.

Sixty students from Norristown High School "shadowed" AT&T employees at AT&T retail stores in East Norriton and Plymouth Meeting and at AT&T's regional offices in King of Prussia, where they learned more about AT&T's operations in the Philadelphia Metro area, as well as the kinds of skills that they will need on the job.

"Our partnership with Junior Achievement provides students in Norristown and across the Philadelphia area with career exploration activities that help motivate them to stay in school and achieve meaningful careers," said Tiffany Baehman, vice president/general manager for AT&T in Philadelphia, who welcomed students to the King of Prussia facility.

Since the $5.5 million initiative started in 2008, more than 200 students in Greater Philadelphia have had the opportunity to benefit from the AT&T / JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative. The initiative enables students, grades 9-12, as well as second semester eighth graders, to shadow AT&T employees to see firsthand the educational background and skills they will need to succeed on the job.

The acclaimed report "The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts," conducted by Civic Enterprises and Peter D. Hart Research Associates and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reveals that many students drop out, despite the fact they have passing grades. They simply don't see the relevance of their school work today to their future life success.

Recent findings from a report that measures the impact of the program on students who show the program is making a significant difference and is changing attitudes about staying in school:

97% of students agreed that doing well in school helps them achieve career goals.
91% of students felt the Job Shadow experience made them more aware of career options.
88% of students felt that participating in Job Shadow made them realize the importance of staying in school.

The AT&T / JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative is part of AT&T Aspire, a $100 million philanthropic commitment. AT&T launched Aspire in April 2008 and is one of the largest-ever corporate commitments to address high school success and workforce readiness.

For more information about the AT&T/JA Worldwide Job Shadow Initiative, please visit [ www.att.com/jobshadow ].

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at [ http://www.att.com ]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at [ http://www.att.com/newsroom ] and as part of an RSS feed at [ www.att.com/rss ]. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at [ www.Facebook.com/ATT ] to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at [ www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz ] to discover more about our small business services.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives and partnerships, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2009, more than $155 million was contributed through corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

About Junior Achievement USA™ (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches four million students per year in 124 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 119 other countries worldwide. Visit [ www.ja.org ] for more information.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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Norristown Students Learn the Importance of Graduating From High School Through Job Shadowing

Norristown Students Learn the Importance of Graduating From High School Through Job Shadowing

More Than 82,000 High School Students Nationwide Benefit From Local AT&T/Junior Achievement Job Shadow Program