Winter Break Job Shadowing

The Winter Break Shadowing Program is an opportunity for Pitzer students to explore prospective career paths with the help of Pitzer alumni and families

Students work on their laptops in the Career Services office

"This experience strengthened my interest in business law and reinforced how much I enjoy learning and understanding the reasoning behind how companies operate."

Shea Joko '28

Political Studies and Organizational Studies major

150 Student Participants

In 2025, 150 students partnered with 80 alumni and family hosts for virtual job shadowing

The Winter Break Job Shadowing program is an opportunity for alumni and family hosts to share their valuable professional experience with Pitzer students. Job-shadowing partners can host a student virtually for as little as two hours to a full day or more during the first two weeks of January.

a group of students walk in front of McConnell Center

By shadowing their hosts, students gain actionable learning and insight about what it takes to succeed in a specific profession and what roles excite them in a particular organization. Applications for hosts is now open. Students applications are currently closed.

Build Relationships While Exploring Careers

"Winter Break Shadowing is as much about relationships as it is about career exploration. Students benefit from honest conversations and real-world exposure, while hosts get the chance to give back and reconnect with what drew them to their work. It’s a meaningful experience for everyone involved."

Andre Argaez

Director of Career Services

Important Dates

Applications for hosts is now open.

Students applications are currently closed.

The calendar of important dates for the 2026-2027 winter break shadowing program is as follows:

Date	Group	Event
Sept. 17	Hosts	Host Application for Winter Break Shadowing (WBS) open to alumni, families, and friends of the College
Week of Oct. 12	Students	Student Interest Information Meeting
Oct. 20	Hosts	Host Submissions DUE
Nov. 3	Students	Student Selections DUE
Week of Nov. 9	All	Host-Student Match Email Introductions & Mandatory Student Orientation session
Week of Nov. 16	Hosts	Alumni + Student Panel: Preparing for the WBS & Mandatory Student Orientation session
Week of Dec. 7	All	Students confirm with Hosts WBS January dates
Jan. 4-15, 2027	All	Winter Break Shadowing Program occurs
Jan. 21-28,2027	All	Student + Host Feedback regarding experiences

How to Apply

Students

The student application process for the Winter Break Shadowing Program is as follows:

Review all the winter break shadowing opportunities at our Career Services Box link
Rank your top four opportunities
Submit your application form along with a one-page resume

Apply for Winter Shadowing

Become a Host

If you're interested in hosting a student, fill out our sign-up form. Be prepared to submit your job title, function, employer, industry, and a brief description of your role.

Student Perspectives

Apply as a Student

“Meeting with a professional in my intended field was incredibly insightful because I now know the steps I will be taking towards a career in journalism.”

Siena Giacoma '27

Winter Break Job Shadowing at a Glance

150

Student Placements

90

Participating Employers

50+

Job Functions Represented

8+

Career Fields Represented

*Data from the 2025 Winter Shadowing Program

The Host Experience

Apply to be a Host

“The Winter Break Shadowing Program is a great way to give back to Pitzer. All the students who shadowed me were engaged and asked thoughtful questions. They were ready to seize the opportunity!"

Reena Brilliot PZ'01

Deputy City Manager/ Director of Economic Development & Sustainability

City of Santa Clara

FAQs

Pitzer alums and families sign up to offer a Winter Break Shadowing placement
Hosts should be open to any Pitzer student(s) without requirements for specific majors and other qualifications.
Students will then be able to review the list of opportunities available, and record their top 4 choices
Students are matched with alumni and family hosts by Career Services mid-November, notifying both students and hosts.
Students and hosts meet via email and schedule the day(s) and time(s) of the experience, taking place virtually, in the first two weeks of January.

A note to hosts: Please note that student utilization of a particular Winter Break Job Shadowing host "site" is dependent on student interest. Each year, we have wonderful hosts 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 offering a shadowing opportunity next year and other ways you can support students in their college journey by learning about your field and industry.

In-depth information about what it takes to be successful in a specific profession and the ability to elarn about various roles in a specific organization.
Up-close access to the work of the organization by attending meetings and other events with their hosts.
Broader view and understanding of other roles in the organization by meeting over coffee chats with staff and colleagues from other areas of the organization.
Learn ways to improve their resume and job search approach.
A professional mentor from the Ptizer community invested in your success and experience!

Connect with current Pitzer students to learn their interests and career goals.
Ability to be a mentor and source of knowledge in your career path and industry.
Make a difference helping students discover their professional interest and goals.
Show off Pitzer's impressive students to colleagues, clients, and hiring managers.

Connect with Us

Jill Hawthorne

Assistant Director for Career Connections & Alumni Support

Jill_Hawthorne@pitzer.edu

(909) 607-8413

Scott Hall 126