Thank you for agreeing to host a student for a job shadowing experience. Some of the expectations of job shadowing are that:

  • The student will observe the day-to-day tasks of your job and other jobs at your workplace
  • The student will ask questions about the job, pre-requisite training, and skills needed to be employed in this job
  • The student can participate in work-related tasks when appropriate

Some students will require accommodations during their job shadowing experience. If these are needed, the student or I will contact you to discuss how the accommodations can be provided.

Here are a few tips on how to engage with students during their job shadow experience:

  • Make conversation about both work and non-work-related tasks to help students feel comfortable
  • Encourage students to ask questions
  • Provide an explanation of your work tasks as you complete them
  • When possible, have students observe various roles of other employees at the workplace

Sample Schedule

  1. Introductions (approx. 10 minutes).
    • Share how long you have been at the company and in your current position
    • Explain the position you started in
    • Share what made you interested in this job
  2. Overview of the industry and employer (approx. 30 minutes). Explain:
    • The main goal of the company
    • The various jobs and how they support the goal
    • The number of employees
    • The location of the company: local, regional, national, international
  3. Workplace tour (up to 30 minutes)
    • Introduce other employees and their role
    • Explain the role of equipment or technology, if appropriate
    • Show the “behind the scenes” look, such as the side of business customers often do not see
  4. Individual shadowing time (2-6 hours)
    • Determine if the student will shadow you or other individuals or both
    • If possible, include the student in the work or allow them to observe by taking notes, photos, or videos
  5. Wrap up/Q & A (up to 1 hour)
    • Reflect with the student on what they learned
    • Answer any questions that the student has
    • Complete any paperwork, such as the post-job shadowing survey