Program Overview
Skidmore College's Career Development Center is excited to continue our Winter Job Shadow Program for January 2025, designed exclusively for sophomore students. This program offers sophomores the invaluable opportunity to explore diverse career paths by observing professionals in their workplace. Job shadow hosts can include Skidmore alumni, parents, or employers, who graciously open their doors to provide firsthand insight into the daily demands and responsibilities of their respective fields. This experience is an ideal stepping stone for students, providing them with a meaningful career exploration opportunity before committing to a more fully developed internship. Through this initiative, students can gain practical experience, make informed career decisions, and establish crucial networking connections. It's a remarkable chance for sophomore students to discover their passions and chart their career course with confidence.
Program Timeline below.
INFORMATION FOR JOB SHADOWING HOSTS
Benefits for Hosts
Participating as a host in Skidmore College's Job Shadowing Program offers several benefits to individuals and organizations:
- Mentorship Opportunities: Hosts have the chance to mentor and guide aspiring students, sharing their expertise and knowledge. This experience can be personally rewarding and fulfilling.
- Talent Identification: Hosting job shadows allows hosts to identify potential future interns or employees. It's an effective way to assess students' skills, work ethic, and cultural fit for the organization.
- Professional Development: Interacting with students can lead to a fresh perspective and new insights, enhancing hosts' own professional development. It encourages hosts to stay updated with the latest trends and practices in their field.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- We ask that hosts commit to host a student for a minimum of half a day, with the option to extend the experience to several days but no longer than a full week.
- Hosts are more than welcome to host multiple students if they please.
- Job Shadowing will take place between 1/6/2025 – 1/20/2025
General Shadowing Activities
Job shadow hosts will ultimately decide what would be most beneficial for the student to shadow based off the student’s goals and career interests. Some general shadowing activities could include the following:
- Observation: Allow the student to observe your daily tasks, meetings, and interactions to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role.
- Shadowing Meetings: Invite them to attend meetings, discussions, or brainstorming sessions to see how decisions are made and ideas are exchanged.
- Hands-On Tasks: Assign small, hands-on tasks or projects that are relevant to the job, allowing them to actively participate and learn by doing.
- Client Interactions: If applicable, involve them in client meetings or customer interactions to demonstrate relationship management skills.
- Job Shadowing Reflection: After each day, set aside time to discuss their observations and impressions, encouraging them to reflect on what they've learned and how it aligns with their career goals.
Alums, parents and employers who are interested in hosting students for the 2025 Winter Job Shadowing Program should register using the registration button below.
The registration deadline for the 2025 Winter Job Shadowing program is Friday, November 29.
* Disclaimer: While we make every effort to match all job shadowing hosts with a student, we are not able to guarantee a match.
information for students
Benefits for Students
Participating in Skidmore College's Job Shadowing Program offers students several compelling benefits:
- Career Exploration: Students gain a real-world understanding of various career paths, helping them make informed decisions about their future. They can explore different industries and professions to identify where their interests and skills align.
- Professional Networking: By connecting with experienced hosts, students have the opportunity to expand their professional network early in their academic journey. These connections can provide valuable insights, mentorship, and potential internship or job opportunities down the road.
- Skill Development: Observing professionals in their workplace allows students to witness firsthand the skills and competencies required in their chosen field. This experience can help them identify areas for skill development and growth.
- Resume Enhancement: Job shadowing experiences stand out on resumes, demonstrating proactive engagement in career development. They show that students have taken steps to explore and understand their field of interest, making them more competitive in the job market.
- Confidence Building: Job shadowing instills confidence in students as they gain a realistic view of their desired career path. It helps them feel more prepared and assured as they progress in their academic and professional journey.
ELIGIBILITY
- Must be a sophomore to participate
- Must complete registration form by Friday, 10/18
- Job Shadowing will take place between 1/6/2025 – 1/20/2025
Class of 2027 students interested in participating in the 2025 Winter Job Shadowing Program should register using the registration button below.
The registration deadline for the 2025 Winter Job Shadowing program is Friday, October 18.
*Disclaimer: While we make every effort to match all students with a host, we are not able to guarantee a match.
Program Timeline
DATE
EVENT
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
Registration for Students Opens
Friday, October 18, 2024
Registration for Students Closes
Friday, October 18, 2024
Registration for Hosts Opens
Friday, November 29, 2024
Registration for Hosts Closes
Friday, December 13, 2024
Student-Host Matches Announced
Monday, January 6, 2025 - Monday, January 20, 2025
Job Shadowing takes place between this date range