Job Shadowing Experience

Job shadowing provides an inside look at jobs, organizations, and career paths.

Job shadowing is a valuable way to learn about careers and industries you may be considering, and provides an opportunity to expand your professional network.

Participants spend one half-day or one full day at a Boston area company hosted by a Suffolk University alum or employer partner. Shadowing experiences are offered both virtually and in-person (based on assigned host’s location and work modality). Depending on availability of hosts relevant to your interests, you may have the chance to visit more than one company during the academic year.

The program is open to undergraduate and graduate students from all class years and majors. Domestic and international students are eligible to participate. This is an unpaid experience, and there is no cost to apply or participate. No work authorization is required.

Employers and Alumni

Become a Job Shadowing Host

Students

Apply for a Job Shadowing Experience

Questions? Contact us via email.

Job Shadowing Program

What will you gain from participating in the Job Shadowing Program?

  • Discovering what kinds of jobs await in your field of interest—and how to prepare for them
  • Exploring specific career paths you might want to take after graduation
  • Learning about employers’ expectations
  • Seeing how organizations run and what it’s like to work at them
  • Developing your networking skills and making new connections
  • Choosing just the right electives, internships, and minors with your goals in mind

Job shadowing hosts and students are asked to complete a brief application prior to the start of the program. This application covers basic information regarding your background and professional interests.

Job shadowing is structured around our center’s Career Communities, nine industry-aligned groups that build connections among students, faculty, alums, and employers with shared interests. When they apply, Job shadowing hosts and students choose one or two Career Communities that reflect their professional experience or career interests. Students are paired up with hosts whose professional experiences align with their career interests. Hosts then communicate directly with their assigned students to schedule a job shadowing experience.

Please note: In order to ensure meaningful pairings and valuable learning experiences, matches are not guaranteed for all applicants. 

Program Cycle Application Deadline 
Fall: October — January September 20th
Spring: January — May January 30th

Student applicants will be asked to complete a brief orientation prior to the start of the program. Career Center staff will contact you directly with these materials, including a brief orientation video and forms which will be electronically signed.

We invite both Suffolk alums and non-alum employer partners to volunteer as hosts.

Job shadowing consists of having one or more Suffolk students observe you and interact with you at your place of work (or virtually) for a few hours or a full day. This opportunity allows them to experience firsthand what it’s like to be in a professional environment. As host, you’ll have the chance to add to a student’s career exploration and decision-making process—and to identify potential future interns or job candidates!

Once you apply online and choose the cycles you’d like to participate in, we’ll assign you one or more students whose interests align with your work. (We accept new applications throughout the academic year and create assignments before each cycle.) You can then communicate directly with your assigned students to arrange a mutually convenient date, time, and modality for shadowing.

Job shadowing hosts and students required to read the Host Guide [PDF] or the Student Guide [PDF]. Student applicants will be asked to complete a brief orientation prior to the start of the program. Career Center staff will contact you directly with these materials, including a brief orientation video and forms which will be electronically signed.

Hear from Job Shadowing Participants

Our Hosts have Great Things to Say

“Sara had researched the Town of Maynard and came to town with a genuine curiosity and interest. She sat in on meetings, met my colleagues and toured our downtown. I found it refreshing to look at my career and community through someone else's eyes,” says Megan Zammuto, Executive Director of Municipal Services for the Town of Maynard, MA.

Learn more about the Job Shadowing experience Sara and other participants had