JOB SHADOWING & INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING WORKFORCE READINESS: EXPLORE | EXPERIENCE | ENGAGE | EMERGE Career Development Office Benedictine University 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL 60532 (630) 829-6040 (630) 829-6043 fax
[email protected] www.ben.edu/career Job Shadowing Job Shadowing is an invaluable research tool to learn about a career field of interest and to gain a real life perspective of what it is like to engage in that type of work and be exposed to a particular work setting. Shadowing also provides the opportunity to connect and network with people in a career field of interest. Students get the opportunity to visit a work site, observe (shadow) the worker, ask questions, engage in discussion, take a tour of the work site and often sit in on meetings and other relevant work activities. A typical job shadowing experience set up by the Career Development Office is one full day or two partial days. In terms of guidelines of a job shadowing experience, below outlines the role of the student and the work site host: Role of the Benedictine Student/Graduate Expresses desire to explore career options and engage in a job shadowing experience to aid in deciding on a career path/major. Prepares for the job shadowing encounter in advance by researching the career and organization and formulating relevant questions for the work host. Actively participates in activities scheduled by the work host. Conducts themselves with professionalism, using professional communication and following all policies and procedures of the employer. Examples could be confidentiality, dress code, safety, security, etc. Role of the Professional/ Work Site Host Shows interest in working with student/graduate and introduces them to the various aspects of their work.