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Preparing for a Worksite Tour and Job Shadow

This activity aims to prepare students for what to expect of a worksite tour and job shadow and how to ask questions.

Note to Instructors: Consider what supports a student may need to prepare an outfit for experience. Reach out to caregiver(s) or guardian(s), school personnel, and others as needed.

Discuss

Getting ready for a worksite tour or job shadow means more than just showing up—it’s about being prepared to learn and make a good impression. It’s important to know how to dress right, have the right attitude, and make a checklist to stay on track.

Make sure yourself, your clothes, and your hair clean and neat. You will want to make sure your hair is out of your face. How do you think you should dress for your experience? It’s also important to dress right!

Watch

This video talks about how to dress for an interview. While you are not going to an interview, the tips in this video are still helpful for the interactions you’ll have with employers and employees. Dress for Success (Video – 3:30 min).

[Note to Instructors: Pause video during the outfit comparisons, yes (green checkmark) and no (red x), to prompt students to discuss why the Yes outfit was checked.]

  • What do you need to wear based on the business or employee you are scheduled with?
  • Do you have this outfit at home? (Students may need support problem solving how to pull the outfit together for the experience).

Interactive Opportunity

  • Have students pick a retail store they are familiar with and has a website. Have students search for clothes they would wear. Include things like shoes, belt, pants, shirt, etc. Students can create a slide deck or share the images.
  • If technology is not available, share magazines and students can cut images out of what they would like to wear or what not to wear.

Discuss

Another expectation from the employers or employees is that you are actively listening. Being present means giving your full attention to the experience. This means putting away distractions like your phone, focusing on what is happening around you, and showing interest in what others are saying or doing. Something that can help us focus are the questions we came up with but also knowing what to look for, especially on a worksite tour.

Resource

A way to help with being present is to think about or take notes on what you may notice at the worksite or with the employee. What jobs do I see? Do people work individually, together, both?

Review

Before your worksite visit, it’s important to be prepared so you can make the most of the experience. Make sure to dress appropriately, be respectful, and you can bring the questions and notes your prepared. Remember, this is your chance to learn and show you’re interested in exploring your future.