How can high school job shadowing help students?

I've heard that job shadowing in high school is a great way to explore career options. Can anyone share their experiences or advice on how to find and approach job shadowing opportunities?

Job shadowing can serve as an insightful extracurricular activity! It not only provides you early career exploration but also offers an opportunity to gather hands-on experience. You could see how a typical day looks like for someone in a particular position, understand the job's demands, how to interact with clients or team members, and the skills required.

To find job shadowing opportunities, you could start by reaching out to your school's career counselor. They may have connections or resources that could help you. Also, don't hesitate to utilize your personal network — parents, relatives, family friends, or teachers might know professionals willing to take a student under their wing for a day or two.

When you're approaching potential professionals for a job shadowing experience, it's essential to be respectful and professional. Explain your interests, what you're hoping to learn, and the time commitment involved. It might seem a bit nerve-wracking, but most professionals will be flattered that you're interested in their career field!

Job shadowing may not directly boost your college application like being the editor of the school newspaper or a national science competition winner might, for example. But colleges indeed value students who show curiosity, engagement, and a clear sense of direction. The skills and knowledge you gain from job shadowing could also provide valuable content for your college essays or interviews. For example, you might discuss how job shadowing revealed what a career in engineering truly entails or how it solidified your desire to work in the healthcare industry.

Remember, job shadowing is more about personal exploration than improving your college application. So choose opportunities that genuinely interest you! Good luck on your journey.