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.

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 actual projects (e.g., conduct research, write reports).

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 completed between December and May.

No, job shadows are unpaid experiences. Nor is there academic credit associated with the job shadow program.

Keep in mind that a job shadow is not about getting a job or internship out of your experience (though that has happened in the past!). It is permissible to express interest in internship opportunities that the organization may offer in the future. If your sponsor asks about your interest and/or inquires about your plans, feel free to share such information.

Job shadow sponsor information and job shadow descriptions are accessible through Handshake. Also, you can view the list of shadow offerings for the 2023-24 program! The job shadow application process requires uploading your resume and a statement of interest for a specific job shadow.

Please refer to the Job Shadow Student Application Instructions for details on how to apply. If you need assistance with logging into Handshake, please call 207-786-6232.

To seek guidance in preparing the required documents, please utilize the support of the Bates Center for Purposeful Work. Make an appointment via Handshake or send your documents to purposefulwork@bates.edu.

The quality of your resume and statement of interest — along with the number of students who have applied to the opportunity  — may likely influence your match with the job shadow. We typically select the candidate that has most clearly articulated their interest in the shadow, and not necessarily the applicant with the most experience.

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 by calling 207-786-6232 or send your resume to purposefulwork@bates.edu.  If you do not have a resume, review the Resume Guide to get started.

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.

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.

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 your and your sponsor. It is up to you and your sponsor to set up a date and make a plan for your job shadow. Read more here about how to prepare, plan, and make the most of your shadow experience.  

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.

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.