A job shadow is a structured career activity where a student follows an employee at a company location to learn about a particular occupation or industry. The purpose of job shadowing is to help students explore a range of career options. For this to be a meaningful experience, students are encouraged to shadow someone other than their parents or someone where they currently work, in a career path interest area. The employee who is hosting the student is called an adult mentor. The student experiences a one-on-one relationship with an adult mentor observing activities and gaining valuable information about their chosen career.
Job shadowing helps students accomplish the following:
Gain information about possible future career interests
Observe the daily routine of their adult mentor
Observe the system of the host's company or business
Gain an insight of the academic, technical, and personal skills required by particular occupations
Gain an understanding of the connection between school and work
Gain information to assist students in goal setting and educational planning
**You are responsible to contact a potential job shadow site and arrange
a date and time for your shadowing experience(s).
**You may shadow more than once throughout a school year.
February is National Job Shadow Month and shadowing is encouraged during this month.
Job Shadowing Forms
Printable Forms:
Job Shadow Agreement (.pdf)
Student Checklist & Instructions (Word)
Student Survey Questions (Word)
All job shadow agreement forms must be handed in 3 days prior to your shadow date.
You must check with the job shadow advisor (Ms. Coulter) for approval of your request.
Once you complete your shadow experience, you must complete the student survey on the back of the shadow agreement form.
You must also write a thank you note or letter to your mentor. Specific instructions are in the student checklist below.
Failure to complete the job shadow requirements will result in an unexcused absence for the shadow date.