Job Shadowing in High School

When students reach the senior grades of high school, they may often be faced with questions such as “what do I want to study, what career do I want?” etc. To help answer these questions, it is advisable that students consider job shadowing – in fact, in some schools, job shadowing is even a requirement.

Job shadowing acts as a lens into the working world, allowing students to observe different careers and ultimately decide which would best suit them.

What is job shadowing?

Job shadowing is an introduction to the working world. It’s an opportunity whereby someone who is interested in the profession gets an idea of what the job entails by “shadowing” a professional in that environment.

In job shadowing, the student will gain experience by following a professional around their workplace (i. e. shadowing). Shadowing will usually take place from morning to evening (i.e. the start of a workday to the end: 8am to 5pm) for at least two consecutive days.

Job shadowing serves as an unique opportunity to learn about the working world, gain occupational skills, and learn the importance of professional training.

Job shadows are best performed when the professional is actively working on a project. This will allow the student to get an idea of the professional’s day to day schedule.
If you engage in job shadowing, you are encouraged to ask as many questions as possible during your visit, and observe how the professional interacts with their coworkers. Be sure to ask various coworkers questions too, as their duties may align with the professional’s job functions and duties.

The ultimate goal of job shadowing is to give the student an idea of what it means to be employed in the professional world and their chosen industry. Job shadowing allows a student to gain first-hand experience about how their education connects with real-life workplace scenarios. It also teaches them how to make informed decisions about their own unique career path.

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What are some activities you will do while job shadowing?

Activities that a student engages in whilst job shadowing will depend solely on where their shadowing takes place.

Job shadowing usually consists of a student following one professional (i. e. mentor) as they go about their daily routine. Job shadowing primarily requires the student to listen and observe, however, some places do allow students the opportunity to perform simple essential duties. The student will also get a view into their mentor’s daily schedule, allowing them to see how much of their time is spent on various duties, who they liaise with, and what knowledge and skills they are required to use.

When job shadowing, students may opt to focus on one specific job within the company, or observe multiple jobs. Students will also be given the opportunity to speak to other workers within the company and ask them various questions about their career and job paths.

Job shadowing usually lasts only one day however, there are instances where they can last several days, giving the student an in-depth look at the career and company.

To set up a job shadowing opportunity, you need to first find a company who is willing to host you and whose schedule correlates with yours. It’s important to note that the best time to embark on job shadowing opportunities are during school holidays as most working professionals’ work schedules are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00.

You may also be able to find a job shadowing opportunity that spans over a weekend, or in a special instance, your school may grant you a day off to attend a job shadowing opportunity.

What are the benefits of job shadowing?

Job shadowing can answer many major questions you have before entering the working world.

Job shadowing gives you the opportunity to:

Gain insight into the working environment
Understand the necessary skills requirements for your chosen job
Gain an understanding of the various job titles within your chosen industry
Establish a clear career path for yourself
Establish a solid networking foundation with industry professionals
Gain access to professional mentors
Pose questions to industry professionals

How do you find job shadowing opportunities?

Check with your high school: Schools often have connections with various companies that offer job shadowing. If you want to engage in job shadowing, try organizing a chat with your academic advisor/ someone at your school’s career office where they can connect you with an organization.
Contact places that you want to shadow at: Should you have a specific company or place that you wish to shadow at, the best thing to do is to contact them directly. Be sure to call or email someone at the company’s HR department (should they not have an HR department, be sure to contact the main contact line).
Try community boards: Your town’s community center or hall may have various notice boards that advertise job shadowing opportunities. Be sure to check community boards or websites for these possibilities. Should you see companies that advertise job placements or internships, be sure to contact them and see if they are willing to pursue you in a job shadowing venture.

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