👤 Job Shadowing
Explore Careers Before You Commit
Job shadowing lets you see what a career is really like—beyond job descriptions and salary data. Spend a few hours or a full day observing a professional at work, asking questions, and discovering whether a field is right for you. It’s one of the most accessible ways to explore careers and start building your professional network.
Why Job Shadow?
What You’ll Gain:
- See the day-to-day reality of a job—not just the highlights
- Ask questions you can’t find answers to online
- Build professional connections before you need a job
- Confirm or rule out career paths early in your journey
- Get insider tips on breaking into an industry
- Add meaningful experience to your resume
Perfect For Students Who:
- Are exploring majors or career options
- Want hands-on exposure before committing to an internship
- Are curious about a specific company or industry
- Need to expand their professional network
- Want to strengthen graduate or professional school applications
How to Arrange a Job Shadow
Unlike formal internships, job shadowing is something you arrange yourself. The good news? You already have more connections than you think.
👨👩👧 Family & Friends
Start with your existing network. Parents, relatives, family friends, neighbors—anyone who works in a field you’re curious about. Most people are happy to help a student explore careers, especially when asked directly.
🎓 Illinois Tech Alumni
Alumni love helping current students succeed. Use LinkedIn to find Illinois Tech graduates in your field of interest. Mention you’re a fellow Scarlet Hawk in your outreach—shared school pride opens doors.
💼 LinkedIn Outreach
Search for professionals in roles or companies that interest you. A polite, professional message explaining you’re a student exploring careers often gets positive responses—especially from mid-career professionals.
👩🏫 Professors & Advisors
Faculty members often have deep industry connections from their research, consulting, and professional networks. Ask during office hours—they may know the perfect person to introduce you to.
🏢 Companies Directly
Many companies welcome job shadow requests from students. Reach out to HR departments or individual professionals via LinkedIn or company websites. Smaller companies are often more flexible.
🤝 Networking Events
Career fairs, industry panels, and professional meetups are ideal places to meet professionals face-to-face. After a good conversation, asking about shadowing opportunities feels natural.
📧 Sample Outreach Email
Use this template to request a job shadow opportunity:
Subject: Illinois Tech Student — Job Shadow Request
Dear [Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’m a [year] student at Illinois Institute of Technology studying [major]. I’m exploring careers in [field/industry], and your work at [Company] caught my attention.
I’m reaching out to ask if you’d be open to letting me shadow you for a few hours or a day. I’d love to see what a typical day looks like in your role and learn more about your career path.
I’m flexible on timing and happy to work around your schedule. I understand you’re busy, so even a brief visit would be incredibly valuable.
Thank you for considering this request. I really appreciate your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Phone] | [Email] | [LinkedIn URL]
❓ Questions to Ask During Your Shadow
Come prepared with thoughtful questions. Here are conversation starters organized by topic:
About Their Path:
- How did you get started in this field?
- What did you study in college?
- What was your first job after graduation?
- What surprised you most about this career?
About the Work:
- What does a typical day or week look like?
- What skills are most important for success?
- What’s the most challenging part of your job?
- What do you find most rewarding?
About the Industry:
- Where do you see this field heading?
- What trends should I be aware of?
- Which companies are great to work for?
- What’s the job market like for grads?
Advice for You:
- What advice would you give someone starting out?
- What should I be doing now to prepare?
- Are there certifications I should pursue?
- Who else would you recommend I talk to?
Make the Most of Your Experience
Before You Go
- Research the person’s background and their company
- Prepare 8-10 thoughtful questions (see above)
- Confirm the date, time, location, and dress code
- Bring a notebook, pen, and copies of your resume (just in case)
During the Shadow
- Arrive 10-15 minutes early and dress professionally
- Be curious—ask questions when appropriate, but don’t interrupt
- Take notes on what you observe and learn
- Be respectful of their time, workspace, and any confidential information
After the Experience
- Send a personalized thank-you email within 24 hours
- Connect with them on LinkedIn with a brief note
- Reflect: Would you pursue this career? What did you learn?
- Document the experience in your Elevate portfolio
✅ Elevate Credit: Job shadowing counts as an Elevate experience! Document your shadow in your portfolio and reflect on how it shaped your career thinking. Even a half-day shadow demonstrates initiative to future employers.
Connect with Illinois Tech Alumni
Illinois Tech alumni are often eager to help current students succeed. They remember what it was like to explore careers, and many are happy to host a shadow or connect you with others who can. The Scarlet Hawk network is stronger than you think.
Search “Illinois Institute of Technology” + your field
📂 Alumni Directory
Access through myIIT portal
🎤 Alumni Events
Panels, networking nights
👩🏫 Ask Professors
They know alumni in every field
Ready to Explore?
Need help identifying shadowing opportunities or crafting your outreach message? Career Services is here to help you take the first step.
