Businesses allow one or more students to follow employees around during the business day, observing, asking questions and taking part in planned hands-on activities. Shadow experiences can last hours or days, depending on the age of the students and the resources of the business. Shadowing offers employers the opportunity to give students an overview of their businesses, and can range from short tours to intensive explorations for career-oriented students. Hosting a shadow experience is an easy way for businesses to show students the range of career opportunities in their organizations.
Employees seem to enjoy the shadow experience as much as the students do.
A successful shadow experience takes imagination and planning. The student's age and abilities should be taken into consideration. In general, the younger the student, the shorter and more general the experience should be. Planned activities can enhance the experience, and small gifts like company pens are a big hit. Career-oriented high school students always appreciate the individual attention of a mentor.