My D (college freshman) has the opportunity to job shadow for a civil engineering company for one day next week during her spring break. She was not given information about what to wear or what they would be doing. I suggested she wear a nice top/polo and khakis. She didn’t have any khaki psnts so I ordered a pair of khaki “paper bag” pants that should arrive this weekend but may not fit. She mostly has leggings/skirts/shorts at school-no jeans. I also suggested she wear ballet flats for a nice first impression and have some comfortable running shoes in a backpack or string bag to change into if there is a lot of walking/field work. She doesn’t seem to know what to expect. Any suggestions on what to wear/bring? The weather shows 50% rain and high of 90 degrees.
Pants (based on reviews, should be full length based on her height, not cropped):
That sounds fine to me. She could ask if there is an office dress code or what kind of shoes she’ll need. If she has a small backpack instead of a purse that will probably be easier for her.
I wouldn’t hesitate to tell your D to reach out to the person she’s shadowing to ask. At my D’s place of business, she wears steel toed boots. Ballet flats would be a no go.
Khakis and a polo are typically fine unless it’s a corporate office environment.
Hello there, I remember your daughter is/was a freshman electrical engineering major (I remember this because my daughter is also one and our girls are hs21 kids). Has she changed her mind about EE?
That should be fine. I wear dress pants ranging from 20 year old Penny’s clearance rack to target to kohls to Walmart type stuff. Shoes are Clark’s. Engineers are pretty casual on average, but a for a first impression probably a good idea to look a little nicer.
Walking shoes/running shoes aren’t a bad idea, but to be out on a construction site, you really should have steel toe boots, hard hat and vest, so I don’t see them taking her out unless it’s more for a drive by type thing. (I keep my boots under my desk. )
Yes, TVBingeWatcher D is still EE but found this opportunity to shadow for civil and thought it would be a good experience and I agree. D just started a couple EE classes this semester (digital systems/linear circuits/Intro to Engineering) and still on that path. Is your D still on the EE path?
Thank you-are you a civil engineer? She doesn’t really know what to expect from the shadowing, but it is only one day. I saw somewhere about female engineers wearing Dansko shoes (clog style?). Are your Clark’s similar? If interviewing for internship or job someday would you suggest the typical business interview suit? Do you ever wear a business suit otherwise? (Presenting? Meeting with a client?)
My daughter is taking digital systems, Circuits 1, programming in C, calc III and 2 general engineering courses. She will be finished with foundational engineering courses after this semester. She is absolutely loving her circuits class. Oh and on the Dansko clogs, I am a nurse practitioner and wear these daily and have been for 20+ years. Love them! I hope your D enjoys her shadowing experience.
I have worn clogs before. Mine currently have a back to them. I have zero fashion sense so I don’t know what they are called. It’s also been 25 years since I interview for a job, but I would think you’d be safe in a business suit or something similar.
I work for a local gov’t so I’m in a small office that includes surveyors and inspectors. We are not a fashionable bunch. When we interview consultants, they are usually in a suit or khaki’s, dress shirt and tie. I don’t see too many women here. But there are more on the government side. Better hours for working moms.
Edit - and yes I am a civil engineer. Almost 30 years now!!! Scary. As I said, I’m in a small office so I’m a Jack of all trades, but primarily roads, storm, sanitary sewer, site design, and I’m in charge of all of our GIS layers
The business suit was for a future internship interview. Not shadowing day. Are business suits a thing of the past for interviews? As I said, it’s been 25 years for me. I interviewed one woman several years back but don’t remember what she wore. And I once hired someone in a gray velour sweat suit - not an engineer though
Thank you for the input on future interviews. I was curious what is expected and felt that a business suit would be appropriate for an interview (not shadowing), or maybe some interviewers might specify to wear business casual to an interview. I think I’ve heard that before. My S (going into Financial markets) loves dressing up in sport coats/suits/button down/khaki/tie but d is a more casual dresser—skater skirts/leggings/croptops/running shoes are her normal comfort attire. She didn’t even bring her black flats😐. I did convince her to bring some biege flats that will have to do. She has a pink button down blouse and hoping the paper bag waist pants will fit. The reviews said they stretch but pants can be kind of hit or miss online. This is not an interview situation but I still think it is important to make a good impression.
I think she needs to be a lot more professional looking for shadowing. And way more professional for interviews.
My kid has a couple of interview outfits. A black suit that has both slacks and a skirt. And a nice solid navy dress and she has a couple of sweaters or jackets she can wear with. Black flats.
At our company suits are only for high level presentations or the front room of mission control (and even that is iffy) Now dress pants and a good blazer are frequently worn for big presentations that aren’t as high level and what most students wear for interviews. It really depends on the company and their culture. Asking is never wrong. We usually say wear business casual. Depending on tours we may have to say close toed shoes and pants.
I agree that her normal school attire is not appropriate for shadowing or interviews. Where are some good places to find an interview suit? Junior sizing is even better.
When she comes home for summer, take her out and try some suits on at places that cater to JR sizes. Such as Express, Banana Republic, JC Penney, J. Crew, etc. Then you have time to get it alternated if needed. Also might get some slacks and nice blouse to wear for class presentations. These are my D’s favorite shoes for suits and slacks. She wore these in high school debate and Academic Decathlon competitions. Quite comfortable. Access Denied
