Q. What is Job Shadowing?

• Job shadowing is a volunteer opportunity for students to gain valuable exposure to careers they are interested in pursuing following graduation.

• Students spend a half day, full day, or several days (you decide) visiting your organization, investigating a career field and experiencing a typical day on the job, during Winter Break in early January.

• Students should have an opportunity to tour the site, “shadow” an employee(s), and participate in workplace activities.

Examples of Job Shadowing Itineries:
* Employer Itinerary 1: Major Rental Company
* Employer Itinerary 2: PR/AD Agency
* Employer Itinerary 3: Media Production Company

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Q. How does a student benefit from Job Shadowing?

• It allows students to clarify their career goals and understand how knowledge learned in the classroom translates to their ability to be successful in the workplace.

• An employer demonstrates the connection between academics and careers, exciting students to learn by making their coursework more relevant.

• Exposes students to career settings within their majors and offers first hand knowledge about different career fields.

• Provides exposure of day-to-day work environments, job characteristics and responsibilities to assist them in determining a career fit.

• Creates a better understanding of the work environment and types of skills needed for specific occupations.

• Clarifies what types of career paths lie ahead and the time frames to achieve them.

• Gives students insight into the future outlook of careers they are considering.

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Q. How does an employer benefit from Job Shadowing?

• Proven to be a very effective method of identifying a potential intern or job candidate by allowing you to examine the student’s interests, skills, and abilities.

• Builds community partnerships between Texas State and your organization to enhance the educational experience of all students.

• Helps to introduce students to professional-level work activities.

• The program creates a feeling of personal satisfaction that comes from mentoring a student.

• You have the opportunity to showcase your organization to potential employees.

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Q. What will the student do at my workplace?

• The student is there to observe and gain insight on possible future careers.

• Employers provide an overview of the organization and industry, and share career advice and tips on work/life balance.

• Students will get “real life” experience on the job, as well as networking possibilities.

• Here are three sample ITINERARIES (sample 1- Major Car Rental company,sample 2 - Public Relations/Advertising agency,sample 3 - Media Production company) that will give you an idea of a job shadowing assignment.

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Q. What role does an Employer play in job shadowing?

• Helps students to understand the required skills needed for the job.

• Demonstrates and explains effective work methods.

• Shows a desire to work with students and introduce them to a realistic view of their career area and work roles.

• Welcomes questions and provides students with constructive feedback, especially as it relates to realistic expectations of the student.

• Creates the desire to invest in a student’s current and future career path.

• Presents the ability to work with persons of different educational, economic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.

• Organizes a half/full of day of activities/assignments for the student and remains available during the student’s shadowing assignment.

• See the Employer Job Shadowing Coordinator checklist for more details.

 

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Q. Do you have any suggestions on activities to include in a Job
Shadowing Experience?

• Organize a tour of your office/facility.

• Engage in brief discussion of different departmental functions.

• Introduce the student to the mission of the workplace: What do you do?

• Give a personal note: Why is my job important to me?

• Discuss a student’s career interests and plans. Offer suggestions for appropriate training or experience.

• Encourage students to talk about their interests and abilities. Incorporate that information into discussions regarding career or industry employment choices.

• If applicable, involve the students in a “hands-on” project/assignment.

• If any activities in the job shadowing assignment at your work place require confidentiality statements, security clearances, etc., please contact Career Services as soon as possible, and we can assist with that process.

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Q. What do employers say about Texas State students who job shadowed at their organizations?

• PR/Advertising Agency in San Antonio: “Student exhibited a great deal of professionalism. He arrived on time every day and was eager to learn about all the facets of the PR/Advertising business. He went with the flow and took advantage of his meeting times with individuals to ask insightful questions about the industry. He was able to help staff with research and a press release development exercise, which we were able to utilize in our client work.”

• Financial Services Firm in Austin: “The student was very much interested in learning about what we do and what a career as a financial advisor would be like. In addition, we learned what students are learning in the classroom and what they are looking for in a career.”

• Retail Company in New Braunfels: “She was very professional and knew a lot about the retail industry. The student seemed very interested and asked lots of questions.”

• Non-Profit Organization in Dallas: “The student had a great background and willingness to jump in and assist with any and all tasks. I am always amazed by the quality of students who attend your University.”

• Manufacturing Plant in Cedar Creek: “The student exhibited all-around engineering skills, was enthusiastic towards the work and contributed in many ways. I think this program helps to get our name out to a new, potential employee pool.”

• Telecommunications Company in San Antonio: “The student was very attentive, professional and involved with the visit. We are honored to assist students with interests in the technology fields. We noticed that our own job processes are not as streamlined as they should be. This project has allowed us the opportunity to look at our job flow and become more efficient.”

• Chemical Plant in Houston: “The student was perceptive and engaging and he was interested in issues at the plant. He asked good questions about the work he observed. The shadowing student was a pleasure to talk to and he energized me for the rest of the week.”

• Transportation Company in New Braunfels: “The student was an outstanding young man with a genuine interest in learning about our organization. This was a first time experience for us and seems it may be a good recruiting tool for the company.”

• Television Station in Austin: “The students were eager to learn and asked good, thoughtful questions. Rather than assign job shadows to a certain task, we used the time to show them the many facets of the station, and how they function together. We choose to use the time to educate and inform, rather than derive benefit for the station.”

• Interior Design Agency in Houston: “The student asked a lot of relevant questions such as how to get a design position, what are the daily tasks and even marketing issues.”

• Hospital in San Antonio: “She acknowledged being at a crossroad in making a career choice. She was very receptive to possibilities and participated actively in exploring choices. It is always refreshing for us to be able to review our professional choices with a novice.”

• Texas State Agency in Austin: “We were impressed with the student’s high level of maturity, ability to interact comfortably with many other professionals, and willingness to take on a difficult writing assignment. I’m seriously considering him for an internship. He is capable and motivated!”

• City Agency in San Marcos: The student was very bright, has goals, and is detail-oriented. We get to interact with the young, bright students with fresh ideas.”

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Q. I’m an interested employer. How do I get more information about the
program?

1. If you are interested in being among our 184 participating job shadowing employers, email Karen Julian, Assistant Director and Coordinator of Experiential Learning at kjulian@txstate.edu.
2. Call Texas State Career Services at 512.245.2645 if you have any questions about the program.
3. Students sign a “Release and Indemnity Agreement” prior to job shadowing and a copy is forwarded to you when the  assignment is confirmed.

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Employer Job Shadowing Coordinator Checklist:

1. You are the link between all program partners. Please review the confirmation materials carefully and notify Karen Julian in Career Services at 512.245.2645 if changes are required.

2. Recruit employee volunteers who are interested in being workplace hosts and forward a copy of the student’s resume and an “Employer Evaluation Form” to them.

3. Remind hosts that they will serve as a resource of information and ask them to be open to discussing their own interests and abilities.

4. Employees involved in shadowing should be knowledgeable about the organization and provide the student with a realistic view of the career area, work roles and the skills needed for the job.

5. Work volunteers should be approachable and have the ability to work with a student from diverse backgrounds. Hosts are encouraged to welcome questions and provide the student with constructive feedback.

6. If possible, arrange for internal publicity of the job shadowing experience by taking a digital photograph of the student on-site. Publish a story in your workplace newsletter, e-mail, bulletin boards, etc. Forward the information to Karen Julian in Career Services so it can be included in the Success Stories on our website.

7. Arrange for lunch with employees who are Texas State alumni or with other staff members.

8. Conclude the shadowing experience with a wrap-up activity.

9. Complete and collect the “Employer Evaluation Form” and fax, mail or e-mail back to Career Services.

10. Monitor quality of Job Shadowing Day experiences through ongoing evaluation.

11. Notify the student of any changes to the schedule before they arrive.

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Suggestions To Promote Learning During The Job Shadowing Assignment:

The student’s primary goal is to be matched with professionals in his/her career field of interest and to spend time observing and learning about a particular job. As an employer host, please organize the shadowing around your usual workday structure. Students should be involved in regularly scheduled meetings and projects and be able to observe how you/staff address other issues that may arise during the day. The following guidelines will help an employer plan the shadowing experience.

 

• Greet student at designated entrance. Please remember to give the student your business card.
• Supervise the pairing of the student with workplace employee hosts.
• Conduct an orientation session and organize a tour of the facility.
• Present information about the organization, products or services, and the types of markets in which these products or services are used.
• Talk about safety considerations if applicable as students may be unaware of workplace danger.
• Provide an overview on workplace policies and procedures.
• Discuss the student’s career interests and plans. Review their resume and offer suggestions.
• Talk about professional demeanor, dress, language, or interpersonal skills that are appropriate to your organization.
• Persuade students to talk about their interests, abilities and experiences. Incorporate that information into discussions regarding career choices.
• Encourage students to ask questions regarding your career path, interests, abilities and experiences.
• Involve the student in a “hands-on” project. Give them a simple but crucial task along with resources and information to successfully complete the assignment.
• Ask for the student’s feedback on common problems faced in your organization.
• Offer the student the opportunity to gain knowledge on how departments or teams work together to achieve the organization’s goals and objectives.
• Conduct lunch activities if included in the shadowing day.