Updated 2/24/2021 6:10 PM When the COVID-19 pandemic severely limited the College of DuPage Career Services Center's plans for its first Job Shadow program cohort in spring 2020, staff members adjusted their approach to provide students virtual one-on-one experiences with professionals in the workforce. Through the program, COD students are matched with a local employer for single-day experiential learning events. In preparation for the experience, students complete an etiquette and info workshop hosted by the Career Services Center and are provided guidance for their job shadow experience.
Prior to COVID-19, 18 COD students had been accepted out of 56 applicants to shadow professionals in their chosen fields. When shutdowns and social distancing came as a result of the pandemic, Career Services staff reacted quickly to set up virtual chats between three students and their matched career professionals, including personnel at organizations such as Argonne National Laboratory and Armarius Software.