Why complete a job shadow?

  • attain a deeper understanding of a profession
  • develop a broader perspective on the industry, including its operations, culture, and challenges faced by professionals in the field
  • grow your network by connecting with professionals in an industry of interest to you

Who can apply?

MIT first year and sophomore undergraduates

Time commitment and location

Occurring in person during IAP or the spring semester, job shadowing opportunities are one-time experiences for either a half or full work day. Job Shadow hosts will be located in the Boston/Cambridge area.

How do I find and apply for a job shadow?

  • Log into Handshake to search for job shadow opportunities
  • Once in Handshake select the Jobs tab (left of page), -> select “All Filters” -> and scroll to the bottom of the page to the “Labeled by your school” section and type “job shadow” to apply the filter

What do I need to apply?

Follow these directions to upload two documents – your resume, and a PDF expressing your interest.

  • Resume | Learn how to write & tailor your resume
  • A PDF of answers to the following short answer questions (maximum of 150 words per response)
    • What do you hope to gain from this experience?
    • Why are you interested in this particular industry?
    • What three questions would you like to ask the host?
    • If applying to multiple job shadowing experiences, specify which opportunity is your first, second and third most preferred choice. You can apply to a maximum of three opportunities  

What is the matching process?

CAPD will review your application and match students with available hosts within two weeks of the application deadline. Please note that not all applicants will be matched due to limited job shadowing opportunities. If you are matched with a host, CAPD will make the initial connection. You will then work directly with your host to coordinate a mutually convenient time between January and May for the job shadowing experience. CAPD will notify you whether or not you were matched with a host.

Job shadow hosts

Are you interested in connecting with MIT first year or sophomore undergraduates? MIT alumni and other professionals are invited to host a student. These in-person job shadows are a great way to share your insight and provide students with a behind the scenes look into your work.   

Job shadows must be within the Boston Metro area and occur between January – May 2024 for a full or half day. Learn more about ways to engage with students through a job shadow and complete this form if you’re interested. We’ll follow up with additional details.