Students go behind-the-scenes at Six Bends Harley-Davidson

Say "job shadow" and a certain image comes to mind — a suit-clad manager behind a desk, expounding on the necessity of college while taking a break between meetings.

That certainly wasn't the scene Thursday when about 25 students from Lehigh Acres Senior High School and Coronado High School participated in a Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida job shadow at Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Fort Myers.

Staffers revved motorcycles amid a sea of gleaming chrome in one of the biggest Harley-Davidson dealerships in the country. Students arranged Harley-Davidson clothing on mannequins, watched as workers fixed bikes in the shop and practiced making change at the parts desk.

They also learned that college isn't for everyone — but trustworthy employees with a strong work ethic and commitment to their jobs are valuable to all employers.

"You can do whatever you want to do," said Ryan Schell, an Indiana native who's been with the business for 12 years. He started working right out of high school, choosing to bypass college.

Schell assumed different roles with increasing responsibility along his career path, including work in shipping and receiving and front-line sales.

"Now I'm running a parts department that's No. 5 in the country," he told students.

His boss, Scott Fischer, is a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast who started working at age 14, sweeping floors in a bike shop. College wasn't for him, either.

As founder and CEO of Scott Fischer Enterprises, Fischer has enjoyed great success. He owns and operates six Harley-Davidson dealerships in four states, including Six Bends.

Junior Achievement is one of four organizations that his company supports through his nonprofit, Scott Fischer Charities.

"I'm really passionate about Junior Achievement," said Fischer, a 2012 JA laureate. "This is our workforce — we have to provide this kind of education."

Several of Six Bends' 380 employees manned six interactive work stations that students visited Thursday amid business as usual.

Elizabeth Vazquez, a student from Lehigh Senior High, enjoyed helping dress mannequins under the guidance of Nancy Johnson, assistant motorclothes manager. Vazquez likes dressing nicely so had fun with the exercise, but she has other career plans.

"I want to be a counseling psychologist because I like to help people solve their problems," she said.

Lysa Kennedy, program manager for Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, said the organization supports practical financial and business knowledge — and employees who love their work.

"Our goal is to encourage success regardless of what your plans are after high school," she said.

TEACHERS, VOLUNTEERS HONORED

Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida is hosting an appreciation celebration May 21 to honor volunteers and teachers. The free event will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Six Bends Harley-Davidson, 9501 Thunder Road in Fort Myers.

Local students will participate and share stories about how JA has positively impacted their lives. In addition, prospective volunteers are invited to attend to learn about becoming a JA volunteer to help inspire and prepare young people for success.

The appreciation event is open to the community and offers raffles and coupon giveaways to attendees. For more information, contact Lysa Kennedy at LKennedy@jaswfl.org or call 239-225-2590.

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. For more information about Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida visit JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email info@jaswfl.org.