1. Offices
  2. Career Services

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 this program are currently closed, and will open again in Fall 2026.

Build Relationships While Exploring Careers

portrait of Andre Argaez
"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 and students are currently closed.

The calendar of important dates for the 2025 winter break shadowing program is as follows:

DateGroupEvent
Sept. 23, 2025HostsHost submissions open
Oct. 23, 2025HostsHost submissions due
Oct. 31, 2025StudentsStudent shadowing application opens
Nov. 9, 2025StudentsStudent shadowing application due
Nov. 13, 2025StudentsStudents notified of match with host
Nov. 17–19, 2025StudentsMandatory orientation sessions (must attend one)
Nov. 20, 2025AllStudents and hosts matched and introduced via email
Dec. 4, 2025HostsAlumni & Family host virtual info session (optional)
Jan. 5, 2025AllVirtual job shadowing begins
Jan. 16, 2025AllVirtual job shadowing concludes
Jan. 23, 2025AllFeedback survey due

 

How to Apply

Students

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

  1. Review all the winter break shadowing opportunities at our Career Services Box link
  2. Rank your top four opportunities
  3. 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.

Sign Up to Host a Student 

 

students discuss at desks in a classroom

Get Involved in the Winter Shadowing Program

Ready to take the next step? Apply to shadow a Pitzer alum or family member — or, if you're planning to host, fill out the host application.

Shadow an Alum/Family Mentor Host a Pitzer Student

Student Perspectives

Lily Aaron ’26 recently shadowed Alessandra Diana De Rada ’21 at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). Aaron was exposed to different facets of 3D printing architecture & ecological construction.

Apply as a Student
headshot of lily aaron
“One particularly fascinating project involves [IAAC’s] work on 3D printing beehives using biomaterials, demonstrating how revolutionary technology can be harnessed to design in harmony with essential pollinator species.”

Lily Aaron '26

Environmental Science major

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
headshot of Reen Brilliot
“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

  1. 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.
     
  2. Students will then be able to review the list of opportunities available, and record their top 4 choices
     
  3. Students are matched with alumni and family hosts by Career Services mid-November, notifying both students and hosts. 
     
  4. 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

portrait of Jill Hawthorne
Jill Hawthorne
  • Assistant Director for Career Connections & Alumni Support

(909) 607-8413

Scott Hall 126