Winter Break Job Shadowing

The Winter Break Shadowing Program is an opportunity for ��Ҵ�ý students to explore prospective career paths with the help of ��Ҵ�ý alumni and families

Students work on their laptops in the Career Services office

"This experience strengthened my interest in business law and reinforced how much I enjoy learning and understanding the reasoning behind how companies operate."

Shea Joko '28

Political Studies and Organizational Studies major

150 Student Participants

In 2025, 150 students partnered with 80 alumni and family hosts for virtual job shadowing

The Winter Break Job Shadowing program is an opportunity for alumni and family hosts to share their valuable professional experience with ��Ҵ�ý students. Job-shadowing partners can host a student virtually for as little as two hours to a full day or more during the first two weeks of January.

a group of students walk in front of McConnell Center

By shadowing their hosts, students gain actionable learning and insight about what it takes to succeed in a specific profession and what roles excite them in a particular organization. Applications for this program are currently closed, and will open again in Fall 2026.

Build Relationships While Exploring Careers

"Winter Break Shadowing is as much about relationships as it is about career exploration. Students benefit from honest conversations and real-world exposure, while hosts get the chance to give back and reconnect with what drew them to their work. It’s a meaningful experience for everyone involved."

Andre Argaez

Director of Career Services

Important Dates

Students applications are currently closed.

The calendar of important dates for the 2026 winter break shadowing program is as follows:

Date	Group	Event
Sept. 3, 2026	Hosts
Oct. 19, 2026	Hosts
TBD	Students	Student shadowing application opens
TBD	Students	Student shadowing application due
TBD	Students	Students notified of match with host
TBD	Students	Mandatory orientation sessions (must attend one)
Nov. 12, 2026	All	Students and hosts match introductions
TBD	Hosts	Alumni & Family host virtual info session (optional)
Jan. 4, 2027	All	Virtual job shadowing begins
Jan. 15, 2027	All	Virtual job shadowing concludes
TBD	All	Feedback survey due

How to Apply

Students

The student application process for the Winter Break Shadowing Program is as follows:

Review all the winter break shadowing opportunities at our
Rank your top four opportunities
Submit your along with a one-page resume

Become a Host

If you're interested in hosting a student, fill out our sign-up form. Be prepared to submit your job title, function, employer, industry, and a brief description of your role.

Student Perspectives

Lily Aaron ’26 recently shadowed Alessandra Diana De Rada ’21 at the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC). Aaron was exposed to different facets of 3D printing architecture & ecological construction.

“One particularly fascinating project involves [IAAC’s] work on 3D printing beehives using biomaterials, demonstrating how revolutionary technology can be harnessed to design in harmony with essential pollinator species.”

Lily Aaron '26

Environmental Science major

Winter Break Job Shadowing at a Glance

150

Student Placements

90

Participating Employers

50+

Job Functions Represented

8+

Career Fields Represented

*Data from the 2025 Winter Shadowing Program

The Host Experience

“The Winter Break Shadowing Program is a great way to give back to ��Ҵ�ý. All the students who shadowed me were engaged and asked thoughtful questions. They were ready to seize the opportunity!"

Reena Brilliot PZ'01

Deputy City Manager/ Director of Economic Development & Sustainability

City of Santa Clara

FAQs

��Ҵ�ý alums and families sign up to offer a Winter Break Shadowing placement
Hosts should be open to any ��Ҵ�ý student(s) without requirements for specific majors and other qualifications.
Students will then be able to review the list of opportunities available, and record their top 4 choices
Students are matched with alumni and family hosts by Career Services mid-November, notifying both students and hosts.
Students and hosts meet via email and schedule the day(s) and time(s) of the experience, taking place virtually, in the first two weeks of January.

A note to hosts: Please note that student utilization of a particular Winter Break Job Shadowing host "site" is dependent on student interest. Each year, we have wonderful hosts sites to which students do not match. You will be informed if a student matches your site or does not. If not, we hope that you will consider offering a shadowing opportunity next year and other ways you can support students in their college journey by learning about your field and industry.

In-depth information about what it takes to be successful in a specific profession and the ability to elarn about various roles in a specific organization.
Up-close access to the work of the organization by attending meetings and other events with their hosts.
Broader view and understanding of other roles in the organization by meeting over coffee chats with staff and colleagues from other areas of the organization.
Learn ways to improve their resume and job search approach.
A professional mentor from the Ptizer community invested in your success and experience!

Connect with current ��Ҵ�ý students to learn their interests and career goals.
Ability to be a mentor and source of knowledge in your career path and industry.
Make a difference helping students discover their professional interest and goals.
Show off ��Ҵ�ý's impressive students to colleagues, clients, and hiring managers.

Connect with Us

Jill Hawthorne

Assistant Director for Career Connections & Alumni Support

Jill_Hawthorne@pitzer.edu

(909) 607-8413

Scott Hall 126