DMA ~

As you watch the following clip from the film “The Pursuit of Happiness,” observe the following:

1. What first impression does the person interviewing for the job give to the employers (watch verbal and non-verbal communication)?

2. How does the person interviewing for the job make a good impression (watch verbal and non-verbal communication)?

Junior Job Shadow

Planning for your Job Shadow

The Purpose of a Job Shadow

The purpose of a Job Shadow is to get an up close look at your potential career and to talk to someone who is knowledgeable and experienced in that career

Your Job Shadow experience can provide you with support for your Junior research paper which is further exploration into your career

***The Job Shadow can also assist you in gaining a deeper understanding about a particular issue from a professional in a specific field

How do I find someone to shadow?

You may already know someone who is in the career of your choice

Your parents may know someone Mrs. Piper in the Career Center may have

resources that may be helpful to you ***Think of a business or organization as a

match to your GOOGLE IT!

Preparing for a job shadow

You must first complete a prior approval form which your Advisor will give you today

Your parent/guardian must sign the form to approve your Job Shadow

Your advisor will keep the signed prior approval form

Preparing questions

You are expected to come prepared to the Job Shadow so that you make use of your time and show courtesy to your host

Your advisor will give you a list of potential questions that will help guide you through your on-site visit. You are not expected to ask all of the questions—choose those that are relevant to you

Common Questions about the Job Shadow

Can I shadow my parent? You may shadow some one at your parent’s

workplace but it should be some one other than your parent so that you can get a different perspective

If I want to be a teacher, can I shadow one of my teachers at KR? No, you should have a different perspective

and arrange to shadow or interview a teacher at a different school

Asking to Job Shadow

When you contact a potential Job Shadow host, introduce yourself and state that you are a student at Kentridge High School

Explain that you are interested in pursuing a career in their field and ask if it would be possible to meet with them so that you can observe the workplace and ask them some questions about their career

You are expected to complete this outside of the school day (after school, weekends, late start days or vacation time)

How long does this take?

Your time on the visit will vary but it is not necessary to document how long you spent on your Job Shadow

Generally students will spend one to two hours on-site

The most important thing is that you come away with information that will help you form a better picture of what it is you want to know.

Do I have to take notes?

As you ask the questions that you have prepared, you will want to keep your notes so that you can use the information in your research paper and to complete your Job Shadow reflection.

What if I can’t do an on-site visit?

It is possible that you will have difficulty personally visiting a job site because the workplace does not allow non-employees to visit

In that case, you may conduct a telephone interview. You will need to keep your interview questions and answers as documentation of your Interview and document electronically (see next slide)

Post Job Shadow Documentation

You will document your Job Shadow one of two ways: With an electronic signature through

email/eFolio With a written signature from the person you

interviewed/shadowed ***Don’t forget to use as a source for your

research paper

Post Activity Reflection

In eFolio you will write your reflections in a three paragraph essay in which you will

1) Describe the business that you visited and the name of your Job Shadow host You must include the date of the shadow/interview. You will explain your rationale for choosing to shadow this person and how it relates to your career pathway

Post Activity Reflection

2) Summarize your experience on-site. Include such things as the size of the business (employees), location (urban/suburban/rural), hours of operation, employee dress requirements, information about wages and/or opportunities for advancement. If you did not do an on-site visit, include the questions and answers to your interview.

Post Activity Reflection

3) Conclude with what you have learned about yourself and your career choice as a result of this visit. What have you learned about this career that you did not know before? Have you reconsidered this field and if so, why? If you plan to continue in this career area, what changes, if any will you make to your future educational or training plans?