What Is Career Shadowing?

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Career Shadowing is a popular experiential learning activity that enables students to gather information on careers before deciding on a course of study. Students visit worksites, during which time they "shadow," observe, and ask questions of individual workers. Career Shadowing provides the following opportunities for students:

• Explore careers through informational interviews or on-site visits.
• Obtain first-hand knowledge that comes from being in a job setting
• Meet with professionals in their workplace
• Link textbook information to the world of work
• Confirm career path

How to Start

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Students,
If you are interested in shadowing a professional at a job site, here's the way you go about it:

1. Make an appointment with a career counselor to discuss your career goals
2. Receive contact information for a professional in the career field of your choice
3. Call the "shadow" sponsor to schedule a time to meet or conduct an informational interview.
4. Arrive promptly at the designated workplace setting. Be prepared to ask questions, gathering as much information as possible
5. Send a thank you to your professional contact at the jobsite
6. Evaluate your career shadow experience with the career counselor by appointment or with a follow-up e-mail response 

For more information, contact Sally Rowe, Assistant Director.