In my upcoming book I asked students about shadowing. Since I have spoken to many students, I first make sure they are familiar with any new terms as many times they have heard or been told the word but it’s never been defined or explained clearly. So, are they familiar with the term and have they shadowed someone at their occupation?

This is an excerpt from Careers By the People: Student Career Readiness & 102 More Occupations.

Have you ever shadowed someone for a day at their place of work?

For those to whom shadowing is an unfamiliar term, it’s when you accompany a professional to learn the day-to-day tasks of an occupation. When I was in technology sales, it wasn’t uncommon to bring a junior rep along to learn the ropes. Comically, I recall one new hire attending a sales call on his first day at his new company and I was involved with accompanying him to the meeting in Honolulu. Now, 99 percent of engineering meetings are chill and somewhat monotonous. Not that day: It was riled with contention as two engineers went at each other like heavyweight champions Muhammad Ali and Joe Fraizer in the “Rumble in the Jungle.” After the meeting ended, I chuckled to the quivering rookie, “Welcome to the big leagues.”

To learn more about shadowing, please view my video “Goldmine Connection!” If you enjoy career readiness videos, please subscribe.

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