Ever being interested in someone else’s career? I spent a day shadowing a costume designer for film and TV, and what I learned about creativity, collaboration, and career growth blew my mind. Want to know how? Keep reading!

When I decided to shadow someone for a day, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I was excited but also unsure how much I’d really learn from someone else’s career in just a few hours. I had no idea that this experience would not only show me a new job but also help me rethink how I see my own career path and growth.

Driving Question: How can we learn from others’ careers to guide our own?

This was the question I kept in mind during my time with my mentor. I spent the day shadowing Jude, a talented costume designer for film and TV. Her work is super interesting because it’s not just about designing clothes—it’s about telling a story through fashion. She works closely with directors and actors to understand each character, making mood boards and collages that capture the character’s personality, emotions, and journey.

What I Learned: Behind the Scenes

While shadowing Jude, I saw that costume design is much more complicated than it looks. She doesn’t just pick clothes for the characters; she really digs into who they are, where they come from, and what drives them. She then uses that to create outfits that tell a story without words.

One of the most surprising parts was seeing the mood boards Jude makes for each character. These boards were full of colors, textures, and images that captured the vibe of each character. Jude explained that these visuals guide everything, from the fabric choices to the final look. It was clear that fashion in films isn’t just about clothes—it’s a language that says a lot about who a character is and how they change.

to give my teacher and myself an idea about her job we made a smart gravity note about the job we shadowed, here is mine:

We also talked about how important teamwork is in her job. Even though Jude designs the costumes, she works closely with directors, producers, and actors to make sure everything fits into the film’s vision. This made me realize that no career is done alone—success often comes from working well with others and learning from their perspectives.

Reflecting on My Own Path

Thinking about my experience with Jude made me reflect on my own career journey. One of the biggest lessons I learned was that there’s no one right path to success. Jude’s journey was shaped by her passion for creativity, her willingness to take risks, and her ability to work with others. I can apply these qualities to my own goals, whether I end up in the arts, business, or anything else.

Another important lesson was the value of flexibility and curiosity. Jude’s career didn’t follow a straight line; it changed as she worked on different projects and explored new opportunities. I realized that in my own career, I shouldn’t be afraid to try new things, make mistakes, and learn from them. Some of the best opportunities come from unexpected places, and being open to them can lead to the most rewarding experiences.

Evidence of Learning

Throughout this project, I kept notes about what I was learning. I asked Jude questions about how she overcame challenges in her career and what advice she’d give to someone just starting out. One big piece of advice she gave me was to never stop learning—whether it’s through school, mentorship, or hands-on experience.

I also wrote an episode for our podcast, where I reflect on my day with Jude. I talk about how learning from others’ career journeys can really help us see our own path more clearly. I’m excited to share this episode soon, along with stories from other mentors who have helped shape my view on career growth.

I was able to introduce you and with that information I created a podcast here was my script:

https://s.craft.me/xEMOBt48dGBpa4

Final Thoughts: Embracing the Journey

As I wrap up this reflection, I keep coming back to the main question: how can we learn from others’ careers to guide our own? From Jude’s journey, I learned that career success isn’t just about having one clear goal. It’s about being open to collaboration, staying curious, and always learning from the people around you. By looking at others’ experiences, we can gain fresh perspectives, find inspiration, and realize there’s no single perfect path to follow. Everyone’s journey is different, and the best way to navigate your own is by being open to growth, taking risks, and adapting as you go.

I’m so thankful for the chance to shadow someone as talented and inspiring as Jude. It not only gave me a deeper understanding of the creative world but also changed the way I think about my own career development.

Stay tuned for the full episode of our podcast, where you’ll hear more about my mentoring experience and what I’ve learned along the way!

• [Link to Podcast]