Job Shadowing

Job Shadowing is a great step to learn about a career you have already researched and want to pursue.

You will see firsthand what the job truly looks like & learn from a professional in that role.

WHY SHOULD I JOB SHADOW?

  • Opportunity for you to spend time observing professionals within a specific occupation

  • Gather up-to-date career-related information

  • Expand your professional network

  • Build your interviewing skills

  • Become aware of trends the field

  • Learn about the skills required for certain jobs so you can match them with your skills

  • Develop communication skills and self-confidence

  • Exposure to occupational “buzzwords” unique to the career field

  • Gain inside knowledge to help with job interviews

  • Develop basic skills similar to a targeted job search

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

  • Know what you want to accomplish to make informed career decisions

  • Build a potential contact list by finding people who:

    • Share a common interest or enthusiasm in an activity that appeals to you

    • Work in a career setting you enjoy and that interests you

    • Work in specific jobs or specific organizations that interest you

  • Arrange for the job shadowing experience by:

    • Contacting local colleges to connect you to professionals in your field of interest

    • Contacting the Chamber of Commerce for a list of businesses and professionals in your field

    • Performing a Google search

    • Once you have some companies and/or people in the field identified, call and/or e-mail to schedule a time for the shadowing experience

  • Prepare for your day

    • Dress the part - look professional!

    • Arrive on time

    • Come with a list of questions specific to the field (see below for some examples)

  • Follow up with thank you notes

SAMPLE QUESTIONS TO ASK:

Specific to the Career Field

  1. What are the main responsibilities associated with work in your field?

  2. Please describe a typical day, week, month.

  3. What interests and skills are needed for successful employment in this field?

  4. What are the advantages of working in this field? Disadvantages?

  5. What salary and benefits can I expect?

  6. What education and experiences will I need to break into the field?

  7. What type of work schedule does this field require (i.e. hours)?

  8. Have standards or licensing requirements been established for this field by national professional organizations?

  9. Are jobs in this field limited to any particular geographic area(s)?

  10. How do people find out about openings in your occupation?

  11. What opportunities exist for advancement and/or lateral movement?

  12. What are the emerging jobs in this field? Where are these jobs?

  13. What is the current outlook for new college graduates in this field?

  14. Are you satisfied with the career field you have chosen?

  15. What do you see happening to your profession in the next five to ten years?


About a Specific Organization:

  1. Please tell me more about your organization and its purpose.

  2. Is your organization growing, diminishing, or maintaining its size?

  3. How does your organization compete or cooperate with other organizations within this field?

  4. How do you think your job would be different if you were working in a larger or smaller organization?

  5. How is your organization funded?

  6. What is unique about your organization?

  7. In the future, do you think your organization will need more employees in this field?

  8. What is your job security within this organization?


About Personal Insights and Experiences:

  1. What field did you prepare for and expect to enter originally?

  2. How did you get where you are in your field?

  3. If you needed to leave your present job, to what other jobs could you apply your skills?

  4. Would you advise someone to enter your career field?

  5. What would you have done differently in your career?

  6. What do you like most about your job?

  7. What would you identify as the top two personal rewards from the work you do?


For more information: http://www.uwplatt.edu/cpdo/job-shadow-experience

BHS Parents/Local Professionals: Are you a professional who would be willing to have a BHS student job shadow you (or learn more about your career in other ways)? Please fill out our BHS Career Connections form.