Job Shadow Information for Students

Spend a day during Winter Break exploring a career field that interests you!
In this Section

The Job Shadow Program provides you an opportunity to go to an employer site and shadow a professional in a career field of interest. This opportunity will allow you to experience a “day in the life” of a professional as well as a glimpse of daily operations within their organization.

Benefits

  • Explore a career field and an organization
  • Learn how to apply your academic major to the world of work
  • Assess your "fit" for a specific position, industry and/or organization
  • Make career connections and begin establishing your professional network
  • Learn what skills and qualifications are required for a specific position
  • Learn facts about a company that could be useful in future interviews

Overview

  • Job shadow experiences take place between January 2-20, 2024 
  • Job shadow experiences are a one day (minimum of 6 hours) or a virtual informational experience
  • Exact date and time is scheduled at the discretion of the matched student and host employer
  • Students visit the job site to observe day-to-day activities of a professional in a career field of interest
  • Employers share knowledge about their professional position and answer questions about their career field and company/organization
  • Students do not receive academic credit or payment for this experience
  • Students are 100% responsible for their own travel arrangements, lodging, and any other expenses

Registration

  • Registration runs from October 16 to November 3, 2023
  • Actual job shadow experience is ONE DAY during Winter Break (January 2-20, 2024)
  • Only 25 student spots available, so register early!
  • Click here to register
Is this a job?

No, it is not a job. This is a shadowing experience and is designed to explore a career field. Students do not receive academic credit or payment for this experience.

When and how long is the job shadow experience?

Job shadow experiences takes place during Winter Break. Employers will host a student at their site for one day (minimum 6 hours) or host a virtual informational interview. Each matched host employer and student will arrange the exact date and time of their shadow experience (experiences can be extended if both parties agree to additional dates).

If applying for a virtual experience, employers will "host" a student for an approximately one-hour virtual conversation. Each matched host employer and student will arrange the exact date and time of the virtual conversation.

Who are the employers hosting the job shadow experiences?

Host employers are those who currently engage with UW-Stout Career Services. All hosting employers completed a job shadow application process and were selected to participate in this program.  

Where are the job shadow opportunities located?

A majority are located in the Chippewa Valley, Twin Cities Metro, and Wausau Metro areas. You will be able to view exact sites when you apply. A number of virtual opportunities may also be available.

Who pays for transportation, lodging, and other expenses?

Students are 100% responsible for all expenses related to their job shadow experience including travel, lodging (if needed), meals, etc.

Who can apply?

All currently enrolled degree seeking undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply. If you are graduating in December, you will not be eligible for the program since you will have graduated by the time the job shadow experience starts.

How do I apply for a job shadow experience?

Students will fill out an online application and then be matched with an employer based on the information submitted in the application.

Can I participate in more than one job shadow experience?

Students are welcome to participate in the Job Shadow Program multiple years but will only be matched with one job shadow host per year (one opportunity per year).

How will I be matched with a host employer?

Students will be asked to submit an application. Not all students will be selected. Strength of application will be considered in determining who is selected. Career Services staff will match selected students based on career interests and location preferences. Once matched, the student and host will receive an e-mail confirmation. This e-mail will connect the student and employer virtually, so together you can begin to arrange details for your job shadow experience.

When will I be notified?

Typically, students are notified of a match in early November. If no match is available, students are also notified in early November.

What if I cannot or no longer want to participate?

Once a student is selected, he/she must follow through with their commitment to the job shadowing experience. Students who decline or cancel a matched offer will not be allowed to reapply and will not be rematched to another opportunity during that year's program. Students are expected to abide by UW-Stout's Career Services No Show Guidelines

If an emergency arises and you absolutely cannot participate in the job shadow experience, please email Kristen Goldsmith, goldsmithk@uwstout.edu or call 715-232-1190. Be sure to contact your hosting employer contact, too.

Tips for having a great job shadow experience:

Before your Job Shadow Experience

  • Review the Student Expectations
  • Complete the Job Shadow Program Canvas Course (link given after registration)
  • Confirm scheduled date/time with host employer a few days prior to the experience
  • Understand parking and any directions regarding arrival
  • Understand workplace dress expectations
  • Research host company

During your Job Shadow Experience

  • Arrive on time
  • Be professional – work hard to make a good first impression. You will be representing yourself as a professional, your academic program and UW-Stout.
  • Sign any waivers or paperwork that needs to be filled out prior to participating in the job shadowing
  • Be prepared to answer some questions about your own goals and career path.
  • Be actively engaged and ask questions
  • Take notes
  • Ask for contact information from your hosting employer when you finish your job shadowing experience.

After your Job Shadow Experience

  • Send a thank you note 
  • Complete the Job Shadow Program survey which will be sent to you via e-mail by Career Services
  • Add host employer as a contact on LinkedIn
  • Follow up on occasion - remember that they are now a contact in your professional network!