Winter Break Job Shadowing Program

Through virtually shadowing alumni and family hosts, students will obtain in-depth information about what it takes to be successful in a specific profession and what roles interest them in a specific organization. 

During the virtual job shadowing opportunity, students might have the chance to attend virtual work meetings with their hosts, meet with staff and colleagues from other areas of an organization, and discuss ways to improve their resume or interviewing skills.

For Pitzer alumni and families who are willing and able to host one or more students, the virtual shadowing program is a great opportunity to connect with current Pitzer students, provide mentorship and education around your career path, and really make a difference for students who are mapping out their career plans. It is also a great way to show off Pitzer’s impressive students to colleagues, clients and hiring managers. 

Hosts design their own virtual job shadowing agenda. Here is a sample:

Sample Agenda – Virtual Winter Break Job Shadowing – Half Day

• 9-10 a.m. – Introduction of your organization, discussion of mission, vision, and department’s goals
• 10-10:30 a.m. – Describe your career journey and what your current position entails (including likes & dislikes). Review your job description as a guide.
• 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Meet office colleagues/shadow online business meetings/take a virtual tour of the office
• 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. – Review student’s resume & discuss interviewing
• 12 -12:30 p.m. – Final observations & closing

Students will be able to see the alumni and families who have agreed to be hosts and will have the opportunity to apply to shadow specific hosts. Hosts should be open to any Pitzer student(s) without requirements for particular majors or other qualifications. Career Services will match students with shadowing hosts by mid-November and notify both the students and the hosts. Students will then be required to directly contact their assigned host by December to arrange the details of their shadowing experience.

Please note that student utilization of a particular Winter Break Job Shadowing host “site” is dependent on student interest. Each year, we have wonderful host sites to which students do not match. You will be informed if a student matches your site or does not. If not, we hope that you will consider resubmitting an opportunity in the future.

Questions? Contact Jill Hawthorne’87, Assistant Director, Career Connections & Alumni Support

Career exploration during the undergraduate years is critically important for Pitzer students. The opportunity to get an “inside look” at different professions or have an immersive experience in a potential career path can be a significant driver of student success in designing and executing a post-Pitzer career plan.