By GLENN KAHLStaff reporter for theManteca (Calif.) BulletinThe Give Every Child a Chance Employment Mentoring Program helps teens explore various career options.It is a six hour per week, six-week-long commitment that provides youth the opportunity to shadow an expert in the career field of their choice to find if the job would be something they would be passionate about to pursue as a career.GECAC staffer Meredith Payne works to find both interested students and business professionals willing to mentor students.Payne said the tutoring program’s objective is to build self-esteem and self-worth while teaching a trade or skill. It is hoped that the mentoring by professionals will encourage and motivate students to stay in school and successfully transition into a college or work place environment.Recent studies have strongly indicated that high school students often drop out of school when they do not understand the connection between school curriculum and a future career. It also helps re-enforce the importance of a high school diploma.Payne explained that if the mentor takes the option to hire the student after six weeks of shadowing, Give Every Child a Chance will pay for half of the salary, up to $5 an hour for a six-month period.