Why Job Shadowing for High School Students is Important

When you think about it, expecting a fifteen-year-old to know what career path they want to follow, in order to choose the right subjects in Grade 10, is a little daunting. And then, they are expected to know exactly what job they want to do by Grade 11, so they can apply for the right course at the right university, to study for the career they want to pursue.

The question we need to ask our children here is: is the job you want to do, really the job you think it is? Before you choose subjects, courses, universities, and career paths, would you not want to gain some practical experience of what the job is really like? You need to job shadow!

What is Job Shadowing?

Job shadowing is a short-term opportunity for a school student to observe a worker, or a working environment, in the career that they hope to pursue. It is often a day-to-day work experience where they can ask questions, analyse the actual roles and responsibilities and where they can gain exposure to the pros and cons of the job.

Essentially, Job Shadowing is a child’s first practical exposure to the workforce and is often a “decider experience”, after which kids will either be inspired enough to pursue their desired career or disillusioned enough to look for an alternative path.

Benefits of Job Shadowing

First things first, (and they will ask you), Job Shadowing is NOT a paying gig kids! Maybe in some unique circumstances an employee will give a little something, but your child needs to understand that the benefits of Job Shadowing is not money. This exercise is about many other benefits, such as:

Exposure to Different Job Positions:

Besides gaining practical experience in a particular job field, your child will also get exposure to different positions within that field. Maybe they are interested in agriculture, but that doesn’t mean they have to be the farmer. Careers in agriculture also offer farm management positions, environmental positions (land, water, air management), logistics positions (how to get produce to market) and even chemistry position (safe crop spraying), for example. Gaining positional knowledge in a particular field can help your child with secondary subject choices at university too.

Networking Opportunities:

The saying ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ rings true. If your child is meeting people in the field of work that they are interested in, and if they are meeting your child, and more importantly being impressed by your child, this could open opportunities for them when it comes to actual job seeking. Learning from other people who have the experience will give your child the step-up they need to set them apart from the job-seeking competition.

Exposure to Workplace Behaviour:

Being in the workforce will also expose your child to normal workforce practices and behaviour. Are they getting to work on time? What are they wearing? How are they presenting themselves? Are they showing hierarchical respect? Do they understand teamwork and cooperation?

Building Partnerships:

Job Shadowing is a good way to assist in building lasting partnerships between students, parents, teachers, and businesses. They say it takes a village to raise a child… and it really does. If everyone works together to uplift and guide our children, we will be doing our bit to raise exemplary individuals.

Fostering Independence:

Can your children make phone calls and send emails to gather information? Are they able to interact with people to reach a goal? Can they draft their own CV? Are the able to sell themselves and prove themselves? As parents, these are things we take for granted as we navigate life. But how much exposure have our children had to all of this? Job Shadowing offers them independence to do all these things.

Where to find job shadowing opportunities:

Often Job Shadowing opportunities can be posted by your school or on local community social groups. We also found this great local website that outlines many career options, and you can register to be informed of opportunities.

Go to: www.jobshadow.co.za for more information.