Job Shadowing

New Perspectives, New Ideas, New Interest

Susannah Howe, Smith College

Mary Moriarty, Smith College/NSF

8 November 2012

Context

• Engineering at Smith• Liberal arts college

• B.S. Engineering Science

• 25-35 majors/year

• Motivation/Objectives• Provide students window

into engineering workplace

• Increase awareness about opportunities for women in engineering

Logistics

• Recruited potential workplace hosts and engineering students

• Matched 14 selected students (across class years) with hosts based on location & interests

• Ensured students coordinated and completed one-day shadow visit with assigned host

• Implemented shadow assignments/assessments

• Provided student shadows a small stipend

Timeline

Pre-Visit Report and

Survey

Shadow Visits

Host Survey

MayJanDecNovOctSepAug Mar AprFeb

Focus Group

Panel Presentations

Post-Visit Report

Post-Visit Survey

Shadow Recruitment

Host/Shadow Matching

Host Recruitment

Shadow Hosts and Locations

Shadow Locations

Knowledge + Confidence

3

8

1

2

1

1

3

9

Pre-Visit Post-Visit

1

7

6

1

3

4

6

Pre-Visit Post-VisitNone

Slight

Some

Moderate

Substantial

How much knowledge do you have about a day in the life of an engineer?

(# in circle = # of responses)

How much confidence do you have in your own potential for success in engineering?

(# in circle = # of responses)

Shadow Goals (Pre-Visit)

n=38

Shadow Goal Achievement

n=32

Shadow Takeaways

n=42

Shadow Observations

• Tasks/Responsibilities

• Communication/Collaboration

• Work Schedule/Balance

• Work Environment

• Gender Issues

• Self-Confidence

• Future Engineering Plans

Shadow Observations:• The gender balance in

engineering workplaces is generally more male than female• Women engineers are

sometimes faced with sexism, but it is not a big issue in engineering workplaces

“It really helped me to see that it is possible to succeed as a woman in engineering regardless of the path.”

Benefits

For Shadows:•Experience a day in the life of an engineer

•See how the technical skills and knowledge from class are applied by engineers

•Network with practicing engineers

For Hosts:•Connect with and support a future woman engineer

•Share experiences and knowledge about engineering work with your shadow

What Shadows and Hosts Say

“[Hosting] was incredibly rewarding.”

“I think it is invaluable. I think that a combination of classroom and ‘real world’ experience is very important to prepare for an engineering career.”

“Beforehand, I imagined the engineering workplace to be one way, and now I realize there are so many different options. I am looking forward to finding the option that works for and excites me.”

“The shadow experience made me more interested and excited about engineering because I was able to see things that I had learned in class applied to real life problems in the workplace.”

Contact Us!

For more information, for shadow program materials, or to become a potential host or sponsor:

Prof. Susannah Howe

EGRshadow@smith.edu

413.585.3626