6 answers
Anel
Student
Oudtshoorn, Western Cape, South Africa
1
Question
Asked
490 views
How to choose right company to job shadow
I want to use my Gap year to volunteer/job shadow at a tech business before going to college. How do I know I chose the right one to shadow.
Login to comment
6 answers
Kelvin Quan
Technical Program Manager
3
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Kelvin’s Answer
I agree with the comments above; figure out what skills you have, what your strengths are, what problems / challenges / pain points you'd like to solve, and then find places that are specializing in solutions for those problems. I would (if you can afford it) use your time to travel to see the areas or spaces that technology can help with, and then try to intern at companies in that space. I say this because I ended up backpacking on a shoestring budget before the turn of the millenia and was traveling through Israel and saw how they were using their mobile devices there. I saw the possible application that didn't involve landlines and I knew then I wanted to be in that space. I looked for ways to intern or start and the bottom of mobile start up and did work in that space for over a decade.
The point is: use the gap year to learn about You -- what you like, what ignites your curiosity, and observe the world and its challenges so thatyou can use that as your north star to guide you towards the company / industry that is best suited to your temperament. This will also inform you of the types of classes you want to take when you go back to school as well. Good luck!
The point is: use the gap year to learn about You -- what you like, what ignites your curiosity, and observe the world and its challenges so thatyou can use that as your north star to guide you towards the company / industry that is best suited to your temperament. This will also inform you of the types of classes you want to take when you go back to school as well. Good luck!
Mickael Rosenberg
Software Engineer
265
Answers
Bellevue, Washington
Updated
Mickael’s Answer
Hi Anel,
"How do I know I chose the right one to shadow."
Well, I am not sure "choose" is the right term. Many tech companies, especially programming have Intellectual Property management. That means they do not want anyone to see what they are doing. They usually request internship minimum for that reason as they protect themselves through some agreement. This may not exist for shadowing.
While I do not want to discourage you, I want to warn you about what possibly lay ahead of you.
So try any companies as if you were looking for a job there and contact them. Possibly target at first the companies that can offer internship as they are more likely to know how to deal with young people.
Good luck with your search!
"How do I know I chose the right one to shadow."
Well, I am not sure "choose" is the right term. Many tech companies, especially programming have Intellectual Property management. That means they do not want anyone to see what they are doing. They usually request internship minimum for that reason as they protect themselves through some agreement. This may not exist for shadowing.
While I do not want to discourage you, I want to warn you about what possibly lay ahead of you.
So try any companies as if you were looking for a job there and contact them. Possibly target at first the companies that can offer internship as they are more likely to know how to deal with young people.
Good luck with your search!
Heather Rose-Marie Roberts, CTT, CAPM
Instructional Designer
13
Answers
Fairburn, Georgia
Updated
Heather Rose-Marie’s Answer
Anel, congratulations on taking a gap year to identify a potential career path. The first thing I would do is perform a google search on "top ten tech companies internships to work for". Then go to each website for these companies and see what internships are currently open. When applying for an internship you will need to have a well-written resume. There are many websites you can google that can give you templates to use to base your resume.
If you are still in high school, check the guidance office to see if they have a resume writing workshop.
Do not wait until the last minute to begin your search. Remember, a resume is a document you will use throughout your working life. Therefore, it's a good idea to get good at writing one. A resume advertises your skills and what you can bring to an organization.
Another avenue to gain skills in your area of interest is to check non-profit organizations and volunteer to work with the IT department. Many non-profits are in need of talent.
Do a skills inventory. What can you do now that an employer will pay you a salary for? What software programs do you know well?
What leadership roles have you held? What clubs have you participated in? Do you play on a sports team?
You might what to develop an action plan. Here are some questions this plan should answer.
1. What do you want to learn from the internship?
2. What skills are you looking to gain or improve?
3. What are your long-term goals?
4. What are your short-term goals?
5. Is college in your future? What do you want to major/minor in?
6. Do you want to study aboard?
I hope this was helpful.
If you are still in high school, check the guidance office to see if they have a resume writing workshop.
Do not wait until the last minute to begin your search. Remember, a resume is a document you will use throughout your working life. Therefore, it's a good idea to get good at writing one. A resume advertises your skills and what you can bring to an organization.
Another avenue to gain skills in your area of interest is to check non-profit organizations and volunteer to work with the IT department. Many non-profits are in need of talent.
Do a skills inventory. What can you do now that an employer will pay you a salary for? What software programs do you know well?
What leadership roles have you held? What clubs have you participated in? Do you play on a sports team?
You might what to develop an action plan. Here are some questions this plan should answer.
1. What do you want to learn from the internship?
2. What skills are you looking to gain or improve?
3. What are your long-term goals?
4. What are your short-term goals?
5. Is college in your future? What do you want to major/minor in?
6. Do you want to study aboard?
I hope this was helpful.
Kentrice Gaines
Human Resource Specialist
7
Answers
Augusta, Georgia
Updated
Kentrice’s Answer
Anel, sometimes a gap year is needed to intern to see what you like. I know what is like to waste time doing something and having to change career. I started out going to school for nursing and got my associated in pre nursing. I then changed it to business and got my bachelors in business management and my masters in human resource management. By doing a internship that will help you to know if the field is something you really would like doing for your career. It will also help you to save money from paying for college courses. I would research internships for tech and make full use of the year to do trial and error.
Susan Latsis
11
Answers
Leland, North Carolina
Updated
Susan’s Answer
Anel E.
Nice job wanting to be produced on your gap year. I would suggest doing research on the company that aligns with your vision and goals. Then, ask to shadow for a day or two and see how you feel about the company.
Nice job wanting to be produced on your gap year. I would suggest doing research on the company that aligns with your vision and goals. Then, ask to shadow for a day or two and see how you feel about the company.
Lili Jiao
2
Answers
Shanghai, China
Updated
Lili’s Answer
It will be better if you could join the Tier-1 companies in the industry. As fresher, the paten or methodology is more important than what work/how many work you could take in small companies.