Social Science Career Services has experienced a huge success with its Job Shadowing program.
More than 17 companies participated, giving 30 Western students an opportunity to get the inside scoop on a potential future career path.
The Job Shadowing Program has made a lasting impact on the London community as well as the students who participated.
Throughout the month of March, third-year students in the Faculty of Social Science got to experience “a day in the life” of a professional working in their ideal career.
The experience gave local businesses and organizations an opportunity to engage with eager students who appreciate learning about real-world situations and work environments.
Stefanie Turnbull, Director of Marketing for the London Knights, says that “It was great having two students for job shadowing, they enjoyed it very much, they got to see what it is like on game day, but they also saw other projects we work on.
“Job shadowing helps students confirm their interests and narrow their focus by being in the element. It is nice for us and makes our job easier because we are always looking for good students who know what they are interested in to be interns, we rely heavily on our interns.”
Students received a first-hand look at the workplace in a career of their choice, had the opportunity to see how classroom learning can be applied to real-world situations and were able to ask important questions relevant to career planning.
By participating, students gained a better understanding of what is involved in specific careers, helping them to make decisions about careers they may wish to pursue after graduation.
Michael Mumby, of Harrison Pensa Law Office, and a 2003 Western graduate in History and Political Science, says “As an undergraduate this program provides a clear picture to students on how to make plans from point A to K. Job shadowing helps develop and broaden your understanding about a career allowing the ability to make well informed decisions. I would have liked the opportunity to have this experience to open my eyes to all of the possibilities that you never know are out there.”
We would like to open up opportunities for students to explore other careers as well. Any workplace interested in being a part of this successful job shadowing program should contact us to learn more about what’s involved.
The Job Shadowing Program is a great way to engage Western Students future career opportunities and define your company within Western. Any workplace interested in being apart of The Job Shadowing Program please contact Sarah Dawson.
Contact: Sarah Dawson, M.A.
Career Counsellor,
Faculty of Social Science
Tel: 519-661-2111 X80486
sdawson@uwo.ca
Participants The following companies offered the opportunity for Social Science students to shadow an employee.
Cintas Canada
City of London
Elgin Middlesex Oxford Local Training Board
Glen Cairn Public School
Harrison Pensa Law Office
The London Knights
London Life
LUSO Community Services
M&T Printing
Museum of Ontario Archaeology
University of Western Ontario
Learning & Development, Human Resources
Indigenous Services University Laboratory School
Psychological Services
Upper Thames River Conservation Authority
Woodland Heights Public School
The writer is a career counselor in the Faculty of Social Science. She can be reached at sdawson4@uwo.ca.