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.
Students from all four class years may apply for up to three job shadows. If matched, the students arrange their shadow(s) with their sponsors anytime between orientations and the end of May, at a time that is mutually convenient for the student and sponsor.
Review the Full List of 2024-25 PW Job Shadows via an Industry Index PDF!
or
Round 2: Review the Full List of (Round 2) 2024-25 PW Job Shadows via a Sortable Spreadsheet
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.
2024-25 Student Job Shadow Timeline
Oct. 1 | Job Shadows open in Handshake! Search for “PW Job Shadow” to see all options. |
Month of Oct. | Information Sessions & Resume Reviews Information Sessions offered on: 9/23 @ 12:15pm 10/10 @ 4pm 10/22 @ 12noon 10/29 @ 12:15pm Visits to classes and clubs (various dates). PW Drop-in Hours in Chase Hall, First Floor: Monday – Friday @1:30 – 3:30 pm Sunday – Wednesday @ 7-9pm Students: review the Student Application Guide for detailed instructions. |
Nov. 14 and 15 | Special Drop-in hours for Resume Reviews. You must have a “resume reviewed 2024/25” 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, 11/14 between 4pm and 8pm in Fireplace Lounge in Commons AND Friday, 11/15 between 10am and 5pm in Chase Hall, First Floor, PW Drop-In Area |
Nov. 15 Nov. 20 | Deadline to apply is Friday, November 15. Apply in Handshake by 11:59pm ET We highly recommend applying well in-advance of the deadline. EXTENDED DEADLINE for some shadows. Apply on Handshake by 11:59pm ET on November 20 for the Round Two shadows. Students can apply to 4 total shadows now. As before, students must have had a resume review by PW and the “resume reviewed 2024/25” label on their Handshake account to apply. |
Dec. 6 | Students will be notified about being matched by Dec. 6. 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 Tuesday, Dec. 17. |
Jan. 17 | Deadline to arrange shadow dates (ideally). Email jobshadow@bates.edu with your specific dates or, if you don’t have a date yet, the general plan for your shadows. |
Mid-Dec. – May 23 | Job shadows take place, arranged by the student and sponsor on a mutually agreed-upon date, time, and place. |
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?
+What do students do during a job shadow?
+How long is a job shadow?
+Will I get paid for doing a job shadow?
+Will the sponsor offer me a job?
Applying to the program
+Where do I find a list of employers offering job shadows and how do I apply?
+What is the best way to prepare my resume?
+What is a 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?
+Can I apply to more than one job shadow?
+What happens after I apply?
+What happens if I am not matched?
Potential costs
+Will financial support be provided?
Questions? Contact us at jobshadow@bates.edu or 207-786-6232.