Want to explore an agriculture career path before committing to it? Job shadowing can give you a firsthand look at what a role is really like and help you make more informed career decisions.
What Is Job Shadowing?
Job shadowing is a short-term learning experience where you observe a professional during their workday to gain insight into a specific career, industry, or company.
Unlike an internship, job shadowing focuses on observation rather than hands-on work. You might spend a few hours, a full day, or even several days following someone as they complete their daily responsibilities.
For students interested in agriculture, horticulture, food production, animal health, agribusiness, or related industries, job shadowing can provide valuable exposure to careers you may not encounter in the classroom.
Why Job Shadowing Matters
Many students choose a major or pursue a career path without fully understanding what the day-to-day work actually involves. Job shadowing helps bridge that gap.
By observing professionals in real work environments, you can:
- Explore careers before investing significant time and resources
- Learn what different jobs look like
- Discover new career paths you may not have considered
- Build professional connections
- Gain industry knowledge
- Strengthen future job and internship applications
Perhaps most importantly, job shadowing can help confirm whether a career aligns with your interests, strengths, and goals before pursuing it.
Benefits of Job Shadowing for Agriculture Students
The agriculture industry offers a wide variety of career opportunities, many of which aren't widely discussed in schools or universities.
A job shadow experience can help you better understand careers such as:
- Agronomist
- Agricultural lender
- Commodity merchandiser
- Precision agriculture specialist
- Livestock nutritionist
- Sales representative
- Production manager
- Food safety specialist
- Supply chain coordinator
- Agricultural marketing specialist
Spending time with professionals in these roles allows you to see how classroom concepts translate into real-world work. You may also discover that a career is different from what you expected.
That's valuable information gained before pursuing internships or full-time opportunities.
How to Find Job Shadowing Opportunities
Many students assume job shadowing programs are only available through schools. While some schools do coordinate job shadow opportunities, there are several other ways to find them.
Ask Your Existing Network
Start with people you already know. Consider reaching out to:
- Family members
- Friends
- Teachers or professors
- Academic advisors
- Coaches
- Former employers
- School alumni
Your current network can be a great place to start when it comes to finding job shadow opportunities.
Attend Industry Events
Agriculture conferences, career fairs, trade shows, and networking events can be excellent places to connect with professionals in the industry.
If someone works in a career that interests you, ask thoughtful questions and express interest in learning more about their role or company.
Connect on LinkedIn
LinkedIn can be a valuable tool for building professional relationships. Find professionals in a career you are interested in and connect with them by sending a brief message. For example:
Hi Jennifer, I'm an agricultural business student interested in learning more about careers in commodity merchandising. I came across your profile and was wondering if you'd be willing to share insights about your career path or discuss opportunities for me to observe the role in person. I appreciate your time and look forward to hearing from you.
Not every professional will be able to accommodate a job shadow, but many are willing to help students however they can. They may still be able to give you tips and information via email or a virtual meeting.
Ask Companies Directly
Some organizations may not have a formal job shadowing program but may still be open to hosting students. Reach out to companies of interest by sending a professional email or visiting businesses in person to let them know you’re interested in job shadowing.
How to Prepare for a Job Shadow Experience
Treat job shadowing like a professional opportunity, not a casual visit. You only get one first impression, which has the potential to open up doors for future opportunities.
Before your shadow day:
Research the Company - Understand what the company does, who it serves, and where it fits within the industry.
Learn About the Role - Review the responsibilities, skills, and qualifications associated with the position you'll be observing.
Dress Professionally - Ask about appropriate attire beforehand. What works in a corporate office may be very different from what is expected at a farm, manufacturing facility, greenhouse, or production plant.
Prepare Questions - Good questions show curiosity and professionalism. Write down a list of questions for the individual you are shadowing. Consider asking:
- What does a typical day look like?
- What skills are most important in this role?
- What do you enjoy most about your job? What do you enjoy least?
- What challenges come with this position?
- How did you get started in this career?
- What advice would you give someone hoping to enter this field?
What to Do During a Job Shadow
Your primary responsibility is to observe, learn, and engage professionally.
Be Curious
Shadowing is your opportunity to learn as much as you can from real world professionals, so ask thoughtful questions when appropriate. Most will enjoy sharing their experiences with students who are genuinely interested.
Take Notes
Document key observations, career advice, and anything that stands out. You'll likely remember more from the experience if you write it down.
Observe the Workplace
Pay attention to more than just the job itself. Notice team dynamics, communication styles, the work environment, technology or programs being used, and the skills required to succeed.
These observations can help you evaluate whether the workplace and career are a good fit.
Be Professional
Arrive on time, stay fully engaged, minimize phone use, and show respect for everyone's time.
Remember that you're making an impression that could lead to future opportunities.
What to Do After a Job Shadow
The experience doesn't end when you leave. To leave a strong impression and get the most out of your experience, you should:
Send a Thank-You Message
Within 24 hours, send a brief thank-you email or LinkedIn message to the company or individual(s) you shadowed. Express appreciation for their time and mention something specific you learned.
Reflect on the Experience
Ask yourself:
- Did I enjoy the work?
- What surprised me?
- What skills would I need to develop?
- Could I see myself in a similar role?
- What are my next steps?
These reflections can help guide future career decisions.
Stay Connected
If you had a positive experience while job shadowing, maintain the relationship.
Connect on LinkedIn and occasionally engage with their content or provide updates on your education and career progress.
These professional relationships can lead to internships, mentorship opportunities, and job referrals later on.
Can You Put Job Shadowing on a Resume?
Yes, you should put any job shadowing experience on your resume, especially if you're a student with limited work experience.
Job shadowing can demonstrate career exploration, initiative, and industry engagement.
You can include it under a section such as:
Career Exploration Experience
Example:
Job Shadowing Experience | XYZ Ag Services
- Observed agronomy, crop consulting, and customer service operations
- Learned about crop management recommendations and grower relationships
- Gained exposure to precision agriculture technology and field scouting practices
As you gain internships and work experience, job shadowing will likely become less important on your resume, but it can be valuable early in your career.
Job Shadowing Can Help You Make Smarter Career Decisions
Choosing a career path is a significant decision, and job shadowing is one of the simplest ways to learn whether a role aligns with your interests and goals.
By observing professionals, asking questions, and experiencing a workplace firsthand, you'll gain insights that can't be found in a textbook, job description, or social media post.
Whether you're interested in agronomy, animal health, food production, horticulture, ag technology, sales, finance, or another area of agriculture or food, job shadowing can help you explore opportunities and build confidence as you take the next step in your career.
Discover more career advice on our blog or YouTube channel and explore our resources just for students.
