Job Shadow Program: Information for Students
Through the Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program, students connect with Bates alumni and parents to learn about professional options, personal perspectives, and how others have navigated pathways toward purposeful work. Each year, hundreds of Bates alumni, parents, and friends of Bates from a diverse range of industries volunteer to connect with students through this program.
During their time at Bates, students from all four class years may apply for up to three job shadows each year. If matched, the students will arrange their shadow(s) with their sponsors for anytime between mid-December and the end of May, at a time that is mutually convenient for the student and sponsor.
The application period for the 2025/26 Job Shadow Program will open on October 6, 2025.
This year the Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program will offer both virtual and in-person shadows. The sponsors will design their own agenda that may involve two hours to two days of either virtual or in-person connections, conversations, and professional activities.
2025-26 Student Job Shadow Timeline
| October 6 | Job Shadows open in Handshake on October 6, 2025! Search for “PW Job Shadow” to see all options. |
| Month of October | Information Sessions & Resume Reviews Information Sessions in Commons 226: Monday, 9/22 at 12:15pm – 1pm Tuesday, 10/7 at 12:15pm – 1pm Monday, 10/20 at 12:15pm – 1pm Thursday, 10/30 at 12:15pm – 1pm Tuesday, 11/4 at 12:15pm – 1pm Visits to classes and clubs on various dates. PW Drop-in Hours in Chase Hall, First Floor: Monday – Friday @1:30 – 3:30 pm Sunday – Wednesday @ 7-9pm Students should review the Student Application Guide for detailed application instructions. |
| November 13 and 14 | Special Drop-in hours for Resume Reviews. You must have a “resume reviewed 2025/26” label in Handshake to apply for job shadows, so Purposeful Work is offering Special Extended Drop-In hours in advance of the job shadow application deadline at the following times: Thursday, 11/13 between 5pm and 9pm in Fireplace Lounge in Commons AND Friday, 11/14 between 10am and 5pm in Chase Hall, First Floor, PW Drop-In Area |
| November 15 | Deadline to apply is Friday, November 15. Apply in Handshake by 11:59pm ET We highly recommend applying well in-advance of the deadline to avoid surprise requirements, like a resume review, or technical difficulties. |
| December | Students will be notified about being matched by Dec. 5 Every student who applied will receive an update, even if not matched. For those matched, students will receive an introductory email, including sponsor contact information, during the following week, by December 12. For students who are on financial aid at Bates and are matched with an in-person format job shadow, Purposeful Work will support the transportation expenses associated with travel to their shadow. This opportunity is made possible by an annual gift from the College Key Alumni Association. After being matched, eligible students will receive an email from jobshadow@bates.edu with details about how to estimate the travel costs, complete a request, and receive funds. We encourage students to make plans with their shadow sponsors quickly and request funds well in-advance of their scheduled travel. The Center for Purposeful Work does not have funds to cover the costs of overnight accommodations (e.g. hotel, etc.) for job shadows. Some shadow sponsors do offer overnight accommodations in their home. For students who will need overnight accommodations, we encourage them to consider job shadow offerings that are located near their home, near campus, or include an overnight stay offered by the job shadow sponsor. Job shadows designated as a flexible format do not qualify for any transportation funds, because they could, theoretically, be offered virtually. If you are matched with a flexible format shadow and eventually decide to shadow in-person, please be mindful that we will not be able to provide transportation funding, due to our limited budget and the flexible nature of this shadow format option. Virtual format and On-Campus format shadow are not eligible for transportation funds as travel is not required for these types of shadows. |
| January 23 | The deadline to arrange job shadow dates is January 23 (ideally). After connecting with the sponsor to decide on a date and details, students should email jobshadow@bates.edu with the specific dates or, if you don’t have a date yet, the general plan for your shadows. |
| December 12, 2025 – May 23, 2026 | Job shadows take place, arranged by the student and sponsor on a mutually agreed-upon date, time, and place any time between December 12, 2025 and May 23, 2026. We suggest that students follow these guidelines when planning their shadows: Student Guidelines (found in Handshake) |
Click on the questions below to learn more about the Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program:
About the program
+Why should I participate in a Job Shadow?
A job shadow provides an essential opportunity to test drive a career path or occupation. It also can help you get a foot in the door in a competitive field. A job shadow experience can be added to a resume as a way of demonstrating a genuine interest in a specific field or employer. Students from all class years are encouraged to apply. Students that secure job shadows as first years and sophomores most likely will be better prepared to apply for internships and jobs in the future.
+What do students do during a job shadow?
It depends upon the sponsor and field of work. Examples of activities may include taking a tour; conducting informational interviews with people in various specialties and roles; learning about the industry, culture of the organization, training, coursework and career paths; exploring the organization’s various resources; sitting in on meetings; or assisting with tasks and hypothetical projects (e.g., conduct research, write reports).
+How long is a job shadow?
Sponsors have offered to connect with students for between two hours and two days, depending on virtual or in-person format, availability, and appropriateness given the specific situation. We expect that job shadows will be scheduled for a date between December and May.
+Will I get paid for doing a job shadow?
No, job shadows are unpaid experiences. Nor is there academic credit associated with the job shadow program.
+Will the sponsor offer me a job?
Keep in mind that a job shadow is not about getting a job or internship (though that has happened in the past!). If your sponsor asks about your interest and/or inquires about your plans, feel free to express interest in internship or job opportunities that the organization may offer in the future.
Applying to the program
+Where do I find a list of employers offering job shadows and how do I apply?
Job shadow sponsor information and job shadow descriptions are accessible through Handshake. Also, you can view a list of shadow offerings for the program this year! The job shadow application process requires uploading your resume and a statement of interest for a specific job shadow.
+What is the best way to prepare my resume?
To apply for the Purposeful Work Job Shadow Program, students must have their resume reviewed by the Center for Purposeful Work. To have this review and receive the “resume reviewed” label on your Handshake account, schedule an appointment with a counselor or send your resume to purposefulwork@bates.edu. If you do not have a resume, review the Resume Guide to get started.
+What is a statement of interest?
A statement of interest is brief — one or two paragraphs— and tells the sponsor why you are interested in the particular job shadow. Click here to see a sample Statement of Interest.
It is helpful to mention why you are interested in the field, what experience or coursework you have had in the subject area, and how you would benefit from the job shadow. Please read the job shadow description carefully. Look closely not only at the specific industry, but at the actual occupation of the sponsor. Though a sponsor may work in the field of education, this does not necessarily mean that the job shadow offered has to do with teaching — it may be related to human resources, fundraising, communications, etc. It is essential that your statement does not have any grammatical or spelling errors.
+Can juniors apply to the Job Shadow program?
Yes. All class years are welcome to apply to the Job Shadow program. Juniors who are abroad during the fall semester can review the opportunities on Handshake, have their resume reviewed via email, and apply online during the open application period. For juniors who are studying abroad during the winter semester, they should consider their schedule and availability to shadow between December and the end of May. Some juniors complete their in-person shadows before embarking on their semester away, while others apply for virtual shadows which can be completed while abroad. In some exceptional cases, shadows may be completed in the summer months, if sponsor and student are both available.
+Can I apply to more than one job shadow?
Yes. You may apply for (and potentially be matched with) up to three job shadow offerings. Please note that if you apply to and get matched with more than one job shadow, you will be expected to complete all of them. If you apply to more than one job shadow, please rank the sponsors in order of preference and email this information to jobshadow@bates.edu by the application deadline.
+What happens after I apply?
Once you have applied through Handshake, Purposeful Work will review the applications received. If a match is made, we will notify you and provide you with your sponsor’s contact information in an introductory email to you and your sponsor. It is up to you and your sponsor to choose a date and make a plan for your job shadow. Once matched, consult the Student Guide about how to prepare, plan, and make the most of your shadow experience.
+What happens if I am not matched?
If you are not matched, there are still many opportunities for you to connect with Bates alumni, parents, and local employers. Contact the Bates Center for Purposeful Work to connect with alumni who want to share their career knowledge and expertise.
Potential costs
+Will financial support be provided?
Financial Support for Transportation Expenses: Students who are matched with an in-person job shadow, who also receive financial aid from Bates Student Financial Services will have access to funds for transportation to their job shadow site. Due to limited funding, we will only support transportation to one in-person shadow, however the student’s top choice will be prioritized. Amount of support will be based on students’ level of financial aid and location of shadow. No application is required. Details including transportation planning, support amount, and how to receive the transportation grant will be shared through individual email messages to the eligible students from the Job Shadow team after the matches are made.
Questions? Contact us at jobshadow@bates.edu.