A job shadow will help you improve your interpersonal skills. For example, do you have effective communication skills? Take note of the employees exhibiting effective problem solving skills or how they work proficiently in a team environment. There are many interpersonal skills that as a new employee, you may not have, when entering the workforce. A job shadow experience can help you realize the importance of those skills and provide you with the opportunity to improve upon them while in high school.
Job shadows will help you make connections and network with professionals in your career of choice. This could help you down the road when looking for an internship during college or even a job after graduation. It’s important to start building relationships with these individuals so you feel comfortable asking for a letter of recommendation or a reference for a job application.
A job shadowing experience is a valuable detail to include on your activities resume, especially if you don’t have a part-time job. This entry on your resume will show college recruiters that you researched your intended major and made an informed decision. It will also show employers that you observed a company’s day to day operations and have a better understanding of the career and what is expected of employees. In today’s competitive job market, employers will see you have a sincere interest in the career which makes for a good hire!