Job Shadowing
If you’re not ready for a commitment to an internship, you can still get exposed to career options and the workplace culture by considering another temporary, unpaid stint – job shadowing. Unlike interning, job shadowing is an observational activity. You may have even done this if you accompanied one of your parents or a relative to work. It’s a great way to see people work at their occupations first-hand, listen to them interact on a daily basis, and witness applications of important skills. A job shadowing program may be offered at your school. If it’s not, don’t let that stop you. You can still make arrangements by talking to relatives and family friends about visiting them at their workplaces. What can you learn from job shadowing?
- The kinds of traits suitable for various jobs
- Technology in action
- Effective communication styles and skills
- Office gossip (only kidding!)
Don’t hesitate to ask questions of the people you’re shadowing and take notes. What can you ask? How about their levels of job satisfaction, educational background, additional training, past experiences, and what’s needed to advance in one’s field, for starters? It’s not out of line, either, to ask about salary ranges – just be tactful.