Posted on Jan. 30: Job shadows help students gain insight into careers

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January 30, 2004

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/job_shadow.jpg” caption=”Job Shadow”]Beyond a shadow of a doubt, students gained insight into their desired professions this week.

During the second annual Job Shadow week (Jan. 26-30), 103 students learned first-hand about careers from a wide range of local professionals who served as career hosts for either a half-day or full-day job shadow.

“It is great to have so many employers willing to take time from their busy schedules to mentor our students,” says Angela Fortino, employer development co-ordinator for the Career Planning and Employment Centre (CPEC). “I am even more impressed with the number of repeat placements from last year.”

The job shadow experience provides students with exposure to work environments, and allows them to observe and interview professionals who are working in the students' career of interest.

The Job Shadow event was initiated by social sciences students, in collaboration with the Experiential Education Initiative within the Faculty of Social Sciences. Cristina DeSilvio, career development co-ordinator, comments, “We are excited about the number of students who have shown interest in and signed-up for a job shadow experience this year. The level of enthusiasm that students have shown, along with their keen interest in exploring potential careers, is what makes this event a success each year.”

This year, the program expanded to include the Faculty of Humanities. Liaison officer Rowena Muhic-Day experienced first-hand the strong interest from humanities students. “Humanities students filled all their job shadow openings within 24 hours of registration beginning, and we have a long waiting list of students whom we hope we can accommodate in the future. It shows students appreciate the value of this event, which allows them to find out more about the kinds of jobs that are not easily pigeon-holed but which can offer graduates a very rewarding career. After this year's experience we definitely hope the program will grow.”

Photo caption: Theatre and film studies student Richard Escobedo meets President Peter George as part of his job shadow experience working with public relations manager Shelly Easton.