Explore a Career with Job Shadowing
Job shadowing offers an ideal opportunity to “try a job on for size.” Experiencing a job’s day-to-day routine and duties provides an exploratory opportunity to see if the setting and the position are worth pursuing in a full-time career.
Why It Matters
- Experience the day-to-day tasks.
Shadowing someone who has had years of experience in their field is the ultimate way to test the waters. If the thought of giving shots to dogs and cats is scary, then veterinary school is probably not the best choice! - Avoid extending your education or training.
It’s more beneficial, and less expensive, to cross a career off the list now than to be changing a major in the third year of college. Changing a major at that point may mean paying additional tuition for extra semesters of attendance.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Check with the school counselor.
Many schools offer an opportunity to explore a career through partnerships that have been cultivated within the community. Your student’s high school counselor will know exactly what those opportunities are, as well as the application process. - Revisit the four-year academic plan.
While discussing job shadowing opportunities with the school counselor, your student should make good use of both individuals’ time and revisit the four-year high school academic plan to see how it aligns with the next term’s course registration. Your student should make changes now to stay on the right track for next term, as well as the next two years. - Prepare for a successful job shadow.
Your student should make a list of questions to ask during their job shadow. Questions about team projects, typical daily tasks, coworker interactions, and advancement opportunities will provide valuable insight into the career. - Know what employers look for in their employees.
Besides the typical technical and software skills a workplace needs, employers expect their employees to possess certain soft skills, such as effective leadership and strong communication skills. They look for flexibility and the desire to be an enthusiastic team member. On the flip side, employees who are rude, arrogant and lack interest in working hard are a drain on the organization and other employees.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Do more research.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics places occupations into certain groups, such as healthcare or education. These are frequently referred to as career clusters. Occupation titles are then listed, along with a job summary, entry-level education and median pay. CareerOneStop offers a similar approach with an added element of videos and video transcripts (also offered in Spanish) that expand on the job description. - Seek part-time employment.
Many companies may be looking for just the right kind of person to approach them with an idea of how they can assist them. Doing laundry and restocking linen stations at a hospital might be exactly what a future nursing student needs in order to know if it’s the right career choice.
What You Can Do
- Help with the research.
Become familiar with the websites your student is using and follow up with the school counselor. - Enlist the help of your friends.
If you have friends working in the careers your student is exploring, see if they would be willing to share their experiences or even offer a job shadowing opportunity. Even just a few hours working alongside your friend will satisfy your student’s curiosity about the job.
Next Steps
Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!
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