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Job shadowing is a practical learning experience where an individual, often a student or new employee, follows a professional in their workplace to gain insight into their daily tasks, responsibilities, and the overall work environment. It’s a valuable tool for career exploration and professional growth and a fantastic way to gain real-world insights into a particular career path.

Who Should Job Shadow?
Job shadowing is beneficial for a variety of people:

Students: Especially helpful for high school and college students as they explore potential career paths and apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting. It allows them to see if their imagined picture of a job aligns with reality.

Career changers: Individuals considering a career transition can leverage job shadowing to learn about new fields and confirm their interest, gaining firsthand experience before making a decision.

Entry-Level Employees: Those seeking to learn more about different roles within their organization or industry can use job shadowing.

Benefits of Job Shadowing

Gain firsthand experience: Job shadowing goes beyond job descriptions. It allows individuals to understand the practical aspects of a job beyond what they might learn from descriptions or interviews. It provides a glimpse into the daily tasks, challenges, and rewards of a specific job.

Develop new skills: Observing an expert allows you to pick up new skills, techniques, and competencies required for a particular job, providing insights into areas you may need to develop.

Make informed career decisions: Job shadowing helps individuals make informed career decisions by experiencing a job firsthand, which can also help them identify a better fit for their skills.

Networking: Job shadowing provides opportunities to connect with professionals in the field, potentially leading to mentorship or future job opportunities.

Resume Building: Having job shadowing experience on a resume can be beneficial, especially for students and entry-level professionals. It demonstrates proactive career exploration, a willingness to learn, and an interest in gaining practical experience in the field.

Company Culture: Understanding the culture of a workplace can help one decide if they would enjoy working in that environment.

Professional Etiquette: Learning about professional behavior in a work setting is crucial, and job shadowing provides a firsthand opportunity to observe this.

How to Job Shadow

Identify your target career: Decide on the specific job you'd like to learn more about.

Reach out to professionals: Reach out to professionals in your field of interest through personal connections, career fairs, or online platforms like LinkedIn. You can also contact relevant companies directly or leverage your personal network.

Prepare for the experience: Discuss your goals with the host and what you hope to learn.

Ask questions: Don't be shy! This is your chance to gain insights from the professional. Have a list of questions prepared to ask the professional during your shadowing experience. These could include inquiries about their daily tasks, challenges they face, and advice for someone entering the field.

Be Observant: During the shadowing experience, pay close attention to the tasks being performed, the work environment, and the interactions between colleagues and clients.

Reflect and Learn: After the shadowing experience, take time to reflect on what you've learned and how it aligns with your career goals. Consider what aspects of the job you found appealing or challenging.

Follow up: Thank the host for their time and express your appreciation.

By following these steps, you can leverage job shadowing as a valuable tool for career exploration and professional development.

Overall, job shadowing offers a low-risk, high-reward way to explore career options, gain valuable insights, and make informed decisions about one's professional path. If you're interested in job shadowing, it's essential to approach it with curiosity, respect for the professional's time, and a willingness to learn.

Article By: Kasim Puthanpurakkal
CIGI Career Team