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Most people have an idea of what career they would like to peruse based on their interests, strengths, and experiences. Job shadowing is a very responsible and interesting way to select a college degree program and the experience will be beneficial in many ways.

Job shadowing can also save the student a lot of money and time. The college dropout rate is growing higher every year. Most of this is due to the expense of college and the fact that the students do not love the line of work they are studying for. They also have trouble realizing the eng goal and envisioning their life after college.

Is this really what I want?

Many students or adults who are changing careers feel pressure from society, their family, and themselves to locate a career that will make them happy and successful. By interacting with a few people who work in the chosen career environment and who are experienced enough to know the ups and downs, a person can get a good feeling for that line of work.

While job shadowing, the participant will immediately decide if they like it or not. If they dread their second or third day in the program they know this is probably not the type of work they want. They may be surprised at the amount of paper work and lack of personal interaction or they may find that they do not have the natural interest it takes to perform well.

On the other hand, they might find that every aspect of the job is interesting and exciting. If the career choice is right for them they will actively engage themselves in the work. They may immediately or over time grow to appreciate the hard work, the sense of community, or the challenges the career presents.

Between these two extremes is the fact that the student may find that they enjoy the type of work but don't feel that they want that exact career. Job shadowing can also introduce a student to other related careers.

Networking

Another great part of witnessing the work environment first hand are the people. As a student, it is important to understand different perspectives, ways of doing things, and to have someone to discuss important topics with. Some of the best people for this are those who work in the industry.

There may come a time when the student, in the course of their classes, needs to interview a professional or research a specific subject. By having experience and a familiarity with individuals in the field, this task becomes easier and less like a report. The personal touch can be far more enriching than contacting

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