Job Shadow

(Input your job shadow information here)

Before, during, and after

Before:

• Schedule a job shadow with a professional in a career that you are interested in pursuing in the future. This way you will learn as much as possible about the reality of that field before you spend time and money on further education or training. Make sure this is really a field you would enjoy working in every day for a minimum of eight hours.
  
• Be sure to contact the person that agreed to have you shadow them a few days before the scheduled job shadow date. This will show professionalism and interest. Communication is the key to everything in life - especially business.
  

During:

• During the job shadow, set aside a few minutes where the professional can answer some key questions for you. These interview questions will help you understand this field from an employee/employer perspective. The answers will help you decide if this field is truly for you.
  
• Remember, you are a representative of Grossmont High School while at this job shadow. Always be professional and mature. Dress, speak, and act like a professional.

After:

• After the interview, take some time to reflect on the job shadow. Complete the reflection worksheet as a way to document what happened during the job shadow and what you have learned through this experience.
  
• Send a follow-up letter. Like a job interview, you should always thank the person that has given up their valuable time to meet with you. In a job shadow, this person has taken time away from their profession to sit with you and help you with your future career decisions. Remember, these people are all volunteering their time. You must show your gratitude in writing. A sample letter with the proper business format is attached here.

For those not going on a job shadow:

• Take a virtual job shadow. By logging on to www.unitedstreaming.com, you can job shadow any number of professionals in various fields to get an inside look and learn more about a particular career from behind the computer. For English for Business students graduating in 2007, please use the log in ID of grossmontu and the password of welcome. Click on "Playlist", then "School Lists".

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