Job Shadow Program

The Career Services Job Shadow Program is a unique opportunity for career exploration that allows you to learn about careers of interest to you by visiting a professional (a Job Shadow mentor) at their job for a 60-90 minute session. The Job Shadow Program is offered either virtually or in person based on a mutual agreement between mentor and student.

Job shadowing will help you make connections between classroom learning and real-world work requirements, and gain a better understanding of the knowledge, skills, and education you may need to follow your career interests.

Who can participate?

Students in 3rd or 4th year within the Faculties of Public and Global Affairs (fall and winter term), Arts and Social Sciences (fall and winter term), and Science (winter term).

What are the benefits?

By participating in the program you will:

• Discover if a particular career aligns with your interests.
• Learn up-to-date facts about an occupation that can assist in your decision making.
• Become knowledgeable about the skills and experience required in a particular field.
• Reflect on your own skills and knowledge and determine any gaps.
• Develop communication skills and self-confidence through engagement with professionals from industry.

What to expect

During a job shadow you may expect to participate in or observe some of the following activities:

• Overview/presentation of the organization/industry, organizational culture, careers within the organization.
• Meetings with various employees to about the different departments and career roles.
• Meetings, events, work projects your mentor is involved with.
• Conversations with your mentor and/or other staff members in a similar role to learn about their careers, skills and knowledge, education, and career path.
• A mock interview or resume/cover letter advice with your mentor.

How does the program work?

• Apply to the Job Shadow Program through mySuccess by following the steps in the section below (“Apply for the Winter Job Shadow Program”).
• Reflect on your career interests and career fields you would like to explore. (If you would like to get a better sense of which career paths may be of interest to you, contact Career Services for a one-on-one career advising session.)
• After the application deadline on January 30, 2026, you will be able to view all mentorship opportunities available in mySuccess. Please note that you can research and secure your own mentor if you would prefer (outside the given list). If you secure your own mentor outside of the list in mySuccess, please forward an email chain between you and the mentor confirming that they agree to participate in the program to jobshadow@carleton.ca.
• Submit your mentorship requests via mySuccess by February 6, 2026. Please express interest in as many mentors as possible and we will do our best to match you to one of these mentors; however, please note that it is not guaranteed that you will be matched with one of the mentors you express interest in. If you secure your own mentor outside of the list in mySuccess, please ensure you email jobshadow@carleton.ca with the email chain between you and the mentor confirming they agree to participate in the program prior to the submission deadline indicated below.
• Once notified of a match, arrange a date and time to meet your Job Shadow mentor either in person or virtually by April 8, 2026. Please note that students are responsible for reaching out to their mentor to schedule a time to meet either in person or virtually within the dates outlined below.
• Guidelines will be provided to help you prepare for your Job Shadow meeting.
• After your Job Shadow meeting, you will be instructed to complete a Student Reflection Assignment for the Job Shadow Program should you wish to add it to your Co-Curricular Record (CCR). Complete this assignment in mySuccess by April 17, 2026, and submit a CCR request by following the instructions here to obtain the “Job Shadow” designation on your CCR.

Apply for the Winter Job Shadow Program

Apply via mySuccess by following the steps below (registration can be completed in a few minutes):

1. Log into mySuccess.
2. In the left-hand navigation menu, locate and click on “Mentorship.”
3. Click “View Available Programs/Courses.”
4. Click on “Apply” for the term you would like to apply (Winter 2026).
5. Select “Yes” when it asks you if you are sure you would like to apply for this course.
6. Fill out the registration form by clicking “Answer Questionnaire.”
7. Complete the form, as this information will assist the admin team in matching you with a suitable mentor.
8. Click the “Submit” button to complete your application

Alternatively, view step-by-step visual instructions on how to register in mySuccess.

Please note: The Winter Job Shadow Program is open to students in 3^rd or 4^th year within the Faculties of Public and Global Affairs, Arts and Social Sciences, and Science only.

Key Dates

Fall (for FASS & FPGA Students)

Winter (for FASS, FPGA & Science Students)

Questions?

If you have any questions, please email jobshadow@carleton.ca.