What is JOB SHADOWING?
Job shadowing is an opportunity to give students first-hand knowledge and experience in exploring the world-of-work. A student with a career interest is matched with, observes, and interacts with an adult in that career in the workplace. Students have an opportunity to learn about the education, skill requirements, and characteristics of the job.

Who participates in JOB SHADOWING?
Students from grades 8-12 who have demonstrated an interest in a particular occupation or career path.
Business/industry employees, managers, and owners who share an interest in helping youth learn more about career opportunities in our area.

How does JOB SHADOWING work?
After a student has explored career choices in school, he/she chooses an occupational area, is matched with an employee in a similar field and is excused for 3 hours or more during the regular school day to job shadow. Job shadowing is considered a student field trip and is an extension of the student's school day. Permission slips from a parent are required. Students must follow company health and safety rules while at the worksite and are only able to observe work activities.

Why is JOB SHADOWING important?
Job shadowing enhances students' career awareness and career planning. It provides the business community with an opportunity to invest in the future by helping youth explore careers and see the value of education.
It helps parents, youth, educators, and business to work together for the benefit of all.

GENERAL JOB SHADOWING GUIDELINES
For Students

The individual who coordinates job shadowing activities in your school may be a teacher, counselor or coordinator. In these guidelines, that individual is referred to as "Job Shadowing Coordinator."

PREPARATION

  1. Job Shadowing is part of the educational process in our community. The shadowing experience is open to eighth–twelfth grade students. Students are not paid for this experience. Students/parents are responsible for providing transportation to the worksite.
  2. Your job shadowing experience and the related assignments are coordinated through your school. To make this experience meaningful, some preparation is needed. Be familiar with the guidelines and interview forms, and try to learn about the occupation you are shadowing so you can ask informed and relevant questions. Resources to help you can be obtained through your library, guidance office, interviews with parents and family members, use of MOIS, etc.
  3. Be sure your parent permission form is returned; complete the Student Profile and any other forms that are needed and return them to your school Job Shadowing Coordinator.

ATTIRE
It is important to be dressed appropriately for the business you will be visiting. Once you have been matched with an employer, select the appropriate attire from this list. In general, clothing must be clean, and hair must be neat. Jewelry should be kept simple and perfume must be used in moderation. No hats and no shorts.

Professional attire means clothing appropriate to the job you will be observing. Mechanics would wear jeans, boots, and a work shirt. Someone in an outdoor job setting would wear the appropriate weather gear.

Business/Formal attire means a suit or trousers (not jeans) and a shirt with a tie. Young women could wear conservative skirts, blouses, sweaters, slacks, or suits and dress shoes. (Examples: banks, law offices, accounting firms, etc.). Neither sex should wear jeans and running shoes.

Casual business attire (for more casual business and medical settings) means the above but casual slacks, clean running shoes, and a nice shirt or blouse.

Your Job Shadowing Coordinator may have more specific instructions for you. If you are not sure of what to wear, ask your parents or your Job Shadowing Coordinator to help you.

THE DAY "ON-THE-JOB"

  1. Start the job shadowing experience by shaking hands and maintaining eye contact with your shadow volunteer.
  2. You are expected to follow the rules, regulations and policies of the employer, including dress codes, grooming and attendance. You must comply with all worksite safety rules.
  3. The employer expects you to be cooperative, courteous, and ready to learn.
  4. Come prepared with plenty of questions (and a pencil!). The person you're observing is a volunteer, and loves to talk about her/his job. Your enthusiasm will be catching. (So is boredom.)
  5. Complete the Student Job Shadowing Interview Form and the Evaluation Form and hand them in to your Job Shadowing Coordinator after the experience.
  6. Please don't wear hats, chew gum or eat at the worksite.

FOLLOW-UP

  1. Be sure to turn in all forms to your Job Shadowing Coordinator.
  2. Type or write a Thank You Note to your shadowing business volunteer and give it to your Job Shadowing Coordinator for review prior to mailing. Please use the format available on the Opportunity Connection website.
  3. File job shadowing materials in your portfolio.
  4. Affirm or note changes in your Education Employment Development Plan.

 © 2003, Bay Area Chamber of Commerce
Revised: April 1, 2003