Job Shadow Program for Students

The program takes place over winter break (January 13-17, 2025) so as not to conflict with NCC classes. Each job shadow is on a weekday during the day. Stay tuned for updates regarding a spring program running in May 2025!

A job shadow can be one full day (9am-4pm) or one half day (9am-1pm or 1am-5pm).

Job shadows will take place at the office or facility of the host employer. Employers are primarily located in the Lehigh Valley or Monroe areas. Additional locations may vary. Company addresses are shared upon registering for the program in order to determine travel needs in advance. Some job shadows may be held virtually using Zoom or Microsoft teams. Virtual job shadows will be identified ahead of time.

Your participation in a job shadow does not guarantee you an internship (or a job) with the company. However, it’s a great way to create a networking connection that might lead to a job or internship opportunity in the future.

In order to apply, you will need to complete the mandatory online application before the deadline (October 31, 2024.) The application will ask you to select your top three job shadow hosts, and there is an essay question at the end of the application. Take the time to provide a thoughtful answer to the essay question as it may be shared with the host employer.

All participants are guaranteed a job shadow! We do our best to match students with their top preference, though we can’t guarantee you’ll get your first choice. The sooner you register, the higher likelihood you will be placed with your first choice – so don’t delay!

Yes! The registration will ask how many job shadows you are interested in participating. You can select one, two, or three. We will do our best to provide you the number of opportunities you request for; however, there are no guarantees.

No, students in the program are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Once you receive your placement notification, you'll be invited to participate in a mandatory orientation that will cover everything you need to know to prepare. We will also provide a handy job shadow guide.

We recommend you dress in business casual. We will go into this in greater detail during the orientation. Free professional clothing is available to you from the Center for Career Development's First Impressions Boutique. Email careers@northampton.edu to schedule an appointment to "shop"!

Only your name, contact information, and essay will be shared with the employer. No GPA or other protected information will be shared.

Some job shadows will require you to provide additional background checks or clearances. You will be notified of any additional requirements when you receive your placement information.

When you receive your job shadow placement and sign the agreement form, you are committed to attend on the date assigned to you. Cancelling or failing to show up is strongly frowned upon and could result in disqualification from future job shadow programs. For emergency situations, please notify our office as soon as possible.

Yes, you can participate again but you'll need to submit a new application.

We encourage recent alumni to apply for the program. While we can't guarantee you a spot, we'll do our best to place you in one of your top three choices if space allows.

Absolutely! High school students enrolled in dual enrollment classes at NCC are eligible to participate. Just keep in mind that you may have to miss a day of school to participate and that you will need to arrange your own transportation to and from the job shadow.

Only high school students who are enrolled at NCC are eligible to participate at this time. Just keep in mind that you may have to miss a day of school to participate and that you will need to arrange your own transportation to and from the job shadow.