Shadowing a professional promotes career awareness

A pilot project launched at Immaculata High School, the Career Shadowing Program, provides its seniors with an ideal opportunity to experience their intended career first-hand by being immersed in the work environment.  Twelfth-grade twins Michael and James Dowling, along with their classmate, Sean Doran, shadowed an Immaculata alumnus at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.  Two other Immaculata seniors, Megan Adam and Nolan Leger, were immersed in the world of architecture by working alongside professionals designing renovations for their own school.

Opportunities such as these are invaluable for high school students seeking to identify a college major and future career.  By experiencing a particular work environment and the tasks involved, students frequently confirm that it is indeed the career of their dreams or realize that it is not at all what they were envisioning.  Either scenario is extremely helpful to students who are about to embark on years of higher education to prepare for their profession.

Students who are not fortunate enough to have a formal shadowing program at their disposal should create their own opportunities. In fact, many colleges expect students to do so.  Students who apply to colleges and universities with an intended major in physical therapy are often required to show proof that they have experienced this field, either as a volunteer or an employee.  The reason for this requirement is that many schools immerse physical therapy majors in courses specific to this field at the start of their freshman year.  If the students realize later on that it is not their ideal field, they leave a coveted seat and frequently are not able to apply the credits they earned to another major.

Even if prior experience is not required by a college, it is always looked upon favorably.  Most colleges have a supplemental question on their application asking why a student chose a particular major.  It is extremely beneficial for an applicant to be able to share an experience that demonstrates insight into the intended field.

Students should contact friends, relatives, alumni of their high school, or people they have met in any area of their lives who may be willing to serve as mentors and offer insights into potential careers.  Another option is for students to get part-time jobs in their fields of interest: pharmacy, bank, veterinary office or animal shelter, museum or art studio, or the office of a doctor, lawyer, web designer, computer programmer or tax preparer.

The time and effort put forth in gaining career experience often proves invaluable in launching students into the profession that is truly ideal for their talents and interests. 

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated instructors have prepared students for the PSAT/SAT/ACT exams with preparation courses and private tutoring throughout Central Jersey. SAT Smart also offers private tutoring for subject tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com, or call 908-369-5362.