Job Shadowing
What is a job shadow?
A job shadow is an experience that allows a student to spend half of a day to a full day with an alumni/professional in a field of interest to observe various career paths. Students are able to watch, listen, and learn about what a typical day in that profession is like, learn how a major may translate to that career, insight on the industry, and learn more about a specific company.
How will I benefit from a job shadow?
You will:
- Discover career opportunities through observation and discussion with professionals
- Understand the relationship between what you learn in class and a career
- Verify if this is a career that might be of interest to you
- See first-hand all aspects of a job: characteristics, responsibilities, day-to-day tasks
- Learn what it takes to be successful in a field from professionals in that field
- Determine what one needs to learn to be a professional in this industry
- Observe what employees do in the working world
- Identify necessary skills to succeed in the workplace
- See how technology is incorporated into work
- Network with professionals in your field
How does a job shadow work?
Students are matched with a(n) alumni/professional for a one day shadowing experience within their career field of choice. In order to participate, students need to fill out an application which will be reviewed by the Career Center and a match will be made by one of the staff members. Students will receive their match’s contact information and make the initial contact and arrangement with the alumni/professional. Students are responsible for all travel expenses.
What are the next steps?
Once you have decided that you would like to complete a job shadow experience, pick up an application from the career center, located in the Flynn Campus Union, main level. The deadline to submit an application for a job shadow experience during the winter break is December 1, and the application deadline for a job shadow during spring break is March 1. You will then be matched with an appropriate career professional and you will need to meet with a career center staff member to obtain your contact information. Once you receive your alumni/professional contact information, it is your responsibility to contact the professional to schedule the job shadow.
You will need to inform the career center about when and where the job shadow will take place . Finally, you will complete a job shadow program evaluation upon your return from the job shadow experience.
What if I can’t make it to the job shadow?
If you must cancel your job shadow, the career center and alumni/professional must be contacted as soon as possible. Failure to contact both the career center and the alumni/professional will result in not being able to participate in the Job Shadow Program for the remainder of the academic year.
