Exploring potential career paths used to mean spending a day on-site, observing professionals in action. Today, virtual job shadowing offers a more accessible and flexible alternative allowing students and early-career professionals to gain insight into different roles without geographic or scheduling barriers.
By observing real-world tasks and responsibilities through digital platforms, participants can make more informed career decisions and develop a clearer sense of what success looks like in their field of interest.
What Is Virtual Job Shadowing?
Virtual job shadowing is a form of remote career exploration that gives individuals a behind-the-scenes look at different professions through digital platforms. It’s designed to help participants understand the responsibilities, skills, and work environments associated with specific roles without needing to be physically present.
Especially valuable for students, job seekers, and career changers, this approach offers exposure to a wide range of industries while eliminating travel and scheduling challenges. By observing professionals in real-world settings, participants can gain clarity on their career interests and make more informed decisions about their next steps.
How Virtual Job Shadowing Works
In recent years, remote work has become the norm for many thousands of workers around the world. And in this digital age, the trend of working remotely, or in a hybrid capacity, doesn’t seem to be slowing down. As a result, employers and prospective employees have developed creative ways to explore new career opportunities, including virtual job shadowing.
Virtual job shadowing relies on online tools and digital technology to allow an individual to experience daily life in a particular position. Common formats used for virtual job shadowing include:
- Video calls and teleconferencing
- Recorded walk-throughs of corporate spaces
- Virtual interviews
- Screen sharing
The tools and platforms used for virtual job shadowing vary based on the employer but can include Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and career portals. Through virtual job shadowing, you can learn more about potential job opportunities while showcasing your skills to future employers.
Benefits of Virtual Job Shadowing for Online Students
Online students are already familiar with the convenience and flexibility of remote learning environments, which is why they’re often drawn to virtual job shadowing. Some of the benefits of virtual job shadowing include:
- Gaining real-world career insight without location barriers. Online students can connect with professionals in niche roles, regardless of where they work. This is particularly beneficial for students who are looking into research positions, where professionals may spend a significant amount of time out in the field.
- Increasing career clarity and confidence. Sometimes, there is a gap between what students think a particular position will be like and what it actually entails. Through virtual job shadowing, online students can develop realistic expectations of different career opportunities.
- Strengthening your resume with experiential learning. Prospective employers may find candidates more appealing when they’ve had an opportunity to develop the practical and technical skills required for the position.
- Receiving mentorship or career guidance. What begins as a temporary, virtual job shadowing experience can become a long-term partnership with an industry professional who can give you guidance and advice as you grow your career.
- Developing remote networking skills. The online platforms and digital tools used for virtual job shadowing allow you to become more familiar and comfortable networking in remote environments.
Virtual Job Shadowing vs. Internships
Both virtual job shadowing opportunities and internships can add value to your job search. Here’s how the two compare:
- Time commitments: Virtual job shadowing requires less of a time commitment and is more flexible than an internship. In most cases, internships require in-person work and may take up to 6 months or longer.
- Intensity levels: Virtual job shadowing allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of an industry professional. It carries less responsibility than a traditional internship, but still provides a chance to explore the scope of the role.
Both these experiences support your career preparation, but through different means. In many ways, they complement one another — and online students who are beginning their job search may benefit from both opportunities.
How to Find Virtual Job Shadowing Opportunities
Due to their numerous benefits, virtual job shadowing opportunities are becoming more prevalent. You can find virtual job shadowing opportunities in your field by:
- Partnering with university career services. Career services specialists can often connect online students to resources that will support their career direction and help them develop a targeted strategy for professional success. Virtual job shadowing opportunities may be available through local organizations or alumni.
- Leveraging LinkedIn and other professional associations. Building an online brand is an essential part of searching for a job in today’s global economy, and professional social media platforms serve as an excellent networking tool. You can check sites like LinkedIn to see if there are any relevant virtual job shadowing experiences.
- Reaching out directly to professional contacts in your field of interest. Sometimes, securing a virtual job shadowing opportunity is as simple as asking for it. Requesting this opportunity also shows your commitment to career development and your interest in the field, both of which can reflect favorably on you.
Take the First Step Toward Career Confidence with Unity Environmental University
Revealing itself to be a powerful career exploration tool, virtual job shadowing allows you to learn more about career opportunities and positions — regardless of your physical location. By removing the leading barriers to education and promoting the development of practical and technical skills, Unity Environmental University Distance Education is able to offer a robust, dynamic online learning environment, along with personalized career support and resources.
Chat with Una about our online environmental degree programs today.
