Shadowing Guidelines/Responsibilities

A shadowing experience, which lasts from ½ day to as long as 5 days, takes place at the work site of a Career Network member and enables a George Mason student or alumnus to see the professional's work firsthand. The shadowing experience can take place over winter break, spring break, or any other time that is mutually convenient.

Before the Shadowing Experience

1. Important: Read Interviewing Professionals for Career and Job Hunting Information. During your shadowing experience, you will want to interview the Career Network member and possibly other professionals at the work site.

2. Contacting the Career Network Member: Contact the member by telephone, email, fax, or letter, depending on which modes of contact the Career Network member has made available to you:
• Introduce yourself and indicate that you obtained the member's name and contact information through George Mason's Career Network.
• Indicate your reason for wishing to arrange a shadowing experience with this member. See the script guidelines in Interviewing Professionals for Career and Job Hunting Information.
• Be sensitive to the Career Network member's work schedule and ask if s/he will be able to provide a shadowing experience during the times that your schedule allows.
• Arrange specific date(s) and time(s) for the shadowing experience.
• Obtain directions to the work site and inquire about appropriate dress; lunch arrangements (you are responsible for paying for your own lunch if you do not carry a bag lunch); public transportation or parking arrangements; and any other logistical considerations.
• Give the Career Network member a means of reaching you (phone; email).
• Discuss specifically what you would like to learn about the career field/organization (see questions in Interviewing Professionals for Career and Job Hunting Information) so that the Career Network member can plan appropriate tasks and activities. Typically you would observe the professional in his/her day-to-day activities. Other activities might include attending meetings; touring the facility; meeting coworkers and learning about their careers; working on a small project.
  
  
3. Two to five days before you are to meet with the Career Network member, call to reconfirm date, time, and objectives.

At the Shadowing Experience:

1. Arrive on time and be present for the entire agreed upon period. If an emergency or unexpected problem arises, contact the Career Network member immediately.
2. Have a list of specific questions.
3. Use this experience to gain valuable information about the career field, organization, and the Career Network member's personal experience making the transition from college to career. You will be there primarily to observe and learn. Keep track of people you meet and include them in your network of career contacts. Thank all of them for their time and information.

After the Shadowing Experience

1. Word process or write a thank you letter to the Career Network member within a week of completing the experience. Send a letter to any other person in the organization who provided you with information or assistance.
2. Share what you learned with your Career Consultant. We are interested in what you are learning from Career Network members.
3. If you pursue a career in the Career Network member's field, contact the member from time to time to let him/her know the progress you are making and ask additional questions.