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Press Release

IBC Gives City Students a First-Hand Look at the Working World Through Annual 'Shadowing' Day

Philadelphia, PA - February 3, 2009 - For the 15th consecutive year, today Independence Blue Cross will participate in Shadowing Day, an annual citywide event that pairs students with employees at local companies for a first-hand look at the working world and career opportunities. The day-long event, sponsored by The Greater Philadelphia Mentoring Partnership, the School District of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Youth Network, also serves to ignite corporate interest in creating ongoing work-based mentoring opportunities for city youth.

This year, Independence Blue Cross (IBC) will host 75 students - its most ever — from Kensington Business School, Parkway West, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Simon Gratz high schools, and elementary students from Ludlow Elementary School. The students will work alongside IBC employees in 16 departments at the company’s headquarters at 1901 Market Street, and at two other company worksites at 1500 Spring Garden Street and 1700 Market Street.

“We’re very pleased to once again support Shadowing Day and give students a first-hand look at what we do and how they might fit in to a work environment like ours in the future,” said John Clayton, workforce development manager who oversees Shadowing Day at IBC. “We have a very full day planned for these students, and our hope is that they leave here excited about their futures and the difference they can make in our business community one day.”

Shadowing Day is one of several activities and programs IBC participates in to provide mentoring and work opportunities for area students. Others include:

  • Working Solutions — In 2008, IBC hired 54 local high school interns through this program, coordinated by WorkReady Philadelphia with support from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
  • Internships — IBC provides summer and year-round internships to high school and college students. In 2008, IBC employed more than 126 interns, including 19 nursing students. In addition, IBC partners with Drexel University on a co-operative education program which provides a six-month internship for 10 students.
  • Community support — IBC employee volunteers regularly participate in reading programs for elementary students, as well as local job fairs that help expose students to possible careers.

About Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a leading health insurer in southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, Independence Blue Cross and its affiliates provide coverage to nearly 3.4 million people. For 70 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered high-quality health care coverage tailored to meet the changing needs of members, employers, and health care professionals. Independence Blue Cross’s HMO and PPO health care plans have consistently received the highest ratings from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

Independence Blue Cross is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.