Job shadowing is a fantastic way for high school students to gain insight into the world of work and explore potential career paths. It allows students to gain an understanding of the skills, knowledge and attributes required for a profession and provides them with a valuable opportunity to observe and experience the day-to-day activities of a professional. In this blog post, we will be exploring how job shadowing can benefit high school students and how to maximize the experience. We will also provide advice on how to choose the right job shadowing opportunity and what to look out for when deciding who to job shadow. With the right approach, job shadowing can be an invaluable experience that can help high school students gain a better understanding of the skills and habits required to progress in their chosen field.
What do students do during job shadowing?
Depending on your mentor and the position you’re shadowing, the tasks you might complete during the experience Many job shadowing opportunities entail following your mentor while they go about their daily tasks at work. Some other duties you may have during job shadowing include:
Why is job shadowing for high school students important?
Before entering the workforce, job shadowing is crucial for high school students because it can help you understand various occupations and careers. You can decide whether you want to attend a degree program or trade school after high school by researching potential careers. For instance, you might decide to pursue a career in account management and an education in accounting if you observed an account manager as they went about their daily tasks.
Advantages of job shadowing in high school
Job shadowing while still in high school has several benefits, such as:
Learning about different jobs
Finding a career you want to pursue can be done by shadowing one or more jobs. It gives you hands-on experience, insight into the typical responsibilities of a position, and the chance to consider how you might carry out those responsibilities in the future. Additionally, it can help you find jobs you may not have thought about before job shadowing, which could change the career you end up choosing.
Networking
Job shadowing also gives you the chance to network with people in various professions. This can support you as you enter the workforce by helping you start forming business relationships and expanding your network. As a high school student, networking can also increase your chances of getting job recommendations from your professional connections. You can build these connections and network by, for example:
Understanding the workforce
You can learn more about what it’s like to have a particular job by watching and listening to your mentor and other professionals. It can show you what occurs during an average workday. Additionally, it can assist you in developing more precise expectations for your future workplace and obligations. You can also learn how business professionals communicate by watching the various interactions between your mentor and other professionals.
Where to find job shadowing opportunities
Being aware of opportunities can make it easier for you to participate in a company’s job shadowing program. Some common places to find these opportunities include:
Your school
Many schools have connections with businesses that give high school students the chance to job-shadow employees. Talking to your instructor, counselor, academic advisor, or career office about your desire to participate in these programs can help you and the company establish a rapport. Additionally, talking about your professional aspirations can assist your school in locating shadowing opportunities that fit with your objectives or interests.
Job boards
Finding job shadowing opportunities can be facilitated by searching local or online job boards. The position and dates you would shadow a position are frequently listed by employers, which can help you decide whether to take advantage of the shadowing opportunity. If a company is looking for volunteers or interns, they might also think about letting you observe a job. For instance, a business might seek out a temporary volunteer to assist a supervisor with production paperwork. This volunteer may work alongside the manager, gaining important insight into the tasks and responsibilities of the manager.
Contact companies
You can get more shadowing opportunities by speaking with businesses about job shadowing. You can speak with a company’s human resources department by phone or email and express your desire to observe a specific position. In order to demonstrate your sincere interest in the field and the organization, you can also mention why you want to shadow that position.
Ask family or friends
You might get job shadowing opportunities from your family and friends as well. You may have the opportunity to observe friends or family members at work to learn more about their positions and the tasks they carry out. When you’re prepared to enter the workforce in the future, this might also assist you in finding job opportunities.
Tips for a successful shadowing experience in high school
Here are some pointers you can use to make the most of your high school shadowing experience:
Job shadowing for students
FAQ
What does shadowing mean in high school?
When a student is being shadowed, they experience the world for a day from their perspective. By shadowing a student, you can gain insights into how to enhance both that student’s and all of our students’ educational experiences by observing them throughout their school day.
How do I set up job shadowing experience?
- Prepare ahead of time. Before you arrive at the workplace, do some research on the company and the position you are shadowing.
- Ask for a tour of the workplace in advance. …
- Greet everyone you meet. …
- Ask if you can help with any tasks. …
- Take notes.
What is an example of job shadowing?
When a student or job-seeker follows and observes a professional for a brief period of time, like a day or a week, this is known as job shadowing. Following your shadowing experience, you should have a better understanding of what professionals do on a daily basis and a better sense of whether you can see yourself pursuing that career path.
