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.

Become a Job Shadowing Host

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?

  • Learn what kinds of jobs are available in your field of interest and how to prepare for them
  • Explore specific career paths you may want to pursue in the future
  • Discover what expectations employers have and key skills you need to succeed
  • See how organizations are run and what the pace of work is like
  • Begin to develop networking skills and make new connections
  • Make smart choices about electives, internships, minors, and other academic decisions

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. Since 2021, job shadowing has also been structured around our center’s Career Communities, nine industry-aligned groups which promote connections between students, faculty, alumni and employers with shared interests.

Job shadowing hosts and students will be asked to select 1-2 Career Communities which relate most closely to their professional experience or career interests. Hosts and students whose career interests align will be paired up. Once assigned, hosts will communicate directly with students to schedule a mutually convenient time for shadowing. Please note that in order to ensure meaningful pairings and valuable learning experiences, matches are not guaranteed for everyone who applies.

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.

Both Suffolk alumni and non-alumni employer partners are invited to serve as hosts.

Job shadowing consists of having one or more Suffolk students observe you and engage with you at your place of work (or virtually) for a few hours or a full day. This allows a student to experience firsthand what it is like to be in a professional environment. It is a form of experiential learning designed to give students short, practical exposure to a position or field of interest. By hosting a student for a day, you will have the opportunity to be a part of a student’s career exploration and decision-making process, while also having the chance to identify potential future interns or job candidates!

Once you complete the online application and select the cycles you would like to participate in, we will assign one or more students whose interests align with your professional work. We will accept new applications throughout the academic year and will create assignments prior to each shadowing cycle. Once assignments are received, hosts will communicate directly with the students to arrange a mutually convenient date, time, and modality for shadowing during that semester. You will receive our Host Guide which provides examples of shadowing activities and other important information.

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.

“Job shadowing a National Sales Manager was such a great experience. I would like to think of my Job Shadowing experience as a special kind of audition for my skillset. Job shadowing hosts are happy to curate an experience and work with you to bring you to speed where they think you need more industry skill.”

Sein Dokubo MBA

“Having the flexibility to do this in a remote fashion gave me the ability to connect with students who maybe I wouldn’t relate to in terms of the content I teach in my class or what I do day-to-day. They were still able to see how our business units fit together and they were able to express what they’re interested in so I could facilitate discussions with a wide range of roles.”

Meaghan Fallano Digital Content Developer, Pearson

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