From ringing up customers to checking in library books, Midland County young people learned about the world of work this week.

Junior Achievement of Central Michigan, Inc. partnered with area schools and businesses to give students job shadowing opportunities. This year's job shadowing wrapped up Tuesday with Pine River Elementary School fifth-graders.

"A lot of it has to do with career exploration," said Ann Fillmore, JA of Central Michigan's president. "The more we can expose (students) to career choices, the more likely they are to make a decision on a career they'll enjoy."

The local event was part of JA's nationwide Groundhog Job Shadow Day on Feb. 2 and kicked off Job Shadowing 2007, in which millions of students will shadow workplace mentors.

Local students went to a variety of businesses, such as Home Depot, Dow Corning Corp. and Holiday Inn.

Pine River split into three groups - Best Buy, Wal-Mart and the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library. Pat Hertema's class went to the library with substitute teacher Misty Dopp.

Kelsey Prince, 11, and Madalyn Waldmann, 10, were curled up in the library's Teen Spot. The Teen Spot is a teen-friendly room with books, computers and lots of hip furnishings.

Kelsey learned that the library stores lots of magazines; her favorite magazine is American Girl. Madalyn found it interesting that people can trace their family history at the library, and she was impressed by one type of computer.

"(There's) one computer where you type in things in bigger font. It's for people with seeing problems," Madalyn said. "And it could read, too!"

Both girls said they weren't sure what they wanted to do when they grew up.

Zach Hitsman, 11, and Jacob Dean, 11, were sitting near the girls.

"I want to be a wrestling coach," Zach said.

Zach learned that the library had books on "almost anything." Jacob also was impressed by the computer for people with disabilities. Both boys thought the Teen Spot was great.

Staff person Ron Suszek was explaining the ins and outs of the checkout desk. The students took turns checking books out for customers, who seemed patient as the students learned how to operate the equipment.

Celeste LaCoursiere, 10, was eager to share the many things she learned at the library. For example, most picture books have 32 pages and she will be able to hang out in the Teen Spot next year.

And yes, she also liked the special computer.