MD
Michelle DaPonte
  • Pre-Vet
  • Class of 2017
  • Bristol, RI

Michelle DaPonte, of Bristol, participated in Becker College's job shadow program

2015 Jan 23

Most college students use winter break to rest and recharge. For a handful of Becker College sophomores, their winter break was spent learning some real-world skills. The College's pilot Sophomore Shadow Program allowed students the opportunity to shadow industry professionals, also called "Shadow Sponsors," for a full day or half day during break. Michelle DaPonte, of Bristol, was one of eight students matched with a professional (particularly a Becker alumnus/a) in a field of which DaPonte is interested in pursuing a career.

"At Becker, we are dedicated to providing students with an education and experiences that will have them world ready upon graduation," said Dan Chapman, Sophomore Year Experience and Study Abroad Coordinator at Becker. "The purpose of this initiative is to assist students with understanding and observing the real world of work, and provide exposure to an industry and the day-to-day operations. This gives students a glimpse of what they are facing in the job market."

Some of the activities that might happen at a shadow day include a tour of the department or organization; an informational interview; attendance at a staff meeting; a "show and tell" of projects the sponsors are working on; and information about professional activities related to the respective field.

Selected sophomore students were chosen based on being in their second year at Becker and in good academic standing and have completed a pre-shadow orientation lead by Becker's Center for Career Education Assistant Director Leslie Germond.

The Sophomore Shadow Program is a collaborative effort between the Center for Career Education, the Sophomore Year Experience, and the Alumni Office. The Center for Career Education and Alumni Office were instrumental in contacting potential sponsors of the sophomores; they reached out to Becker alumni in the targeted areas as well as contacted numerous potential sponsor sites to host the students. Chapman said the College plans to offer the same program in the spring and hopes to continue growing it each year.