Job Shadowing
Spend one or several days during Winter Break shadowing at a selected employer site.
| 2008 Fall Registration |
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| November 3 - November 14, 2008 |
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Over the last nine years, Career Services has assisted Texas State students in discovering what it's like to work in specific career fields through the Job Shadowing Program.
This unique externship offers students a chance to test out their career choices during the winter break. The primary goal of the program is to expose a diverse group of students to a career setting within their major. Students who participate in the program have an opportunity to examine job responsibilities and skills to gain insight into the future outlook of occupations they are considering. Students may also develop possible contacts for internships or full-time jobs.
Dedicated employers in Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and the Central Texas corridor graciously support the Career Services Job Shadowing Program.
This opportunity is FREE to students - the only cost is transportation to the shadowing site.
For more information, please refer students to Career Services,
512.245.2645 or they can e-mail Karen Julian at kjulian@txstate.edu.
• Job shadowing is an externship experience for undergraduate students to gain valuable exposure in careers they intend to pursue following graduation. As an extern, you are volunteering your time to participate in the job shadowing program and you are not paid.
• Students spend a half day, full day, several days, or sometimes a week during Winter Break in early January. (Check the Career Services website under “Featured Presentations” for the registration dates.)
• Shadowing involves observing and often working hands-on with professionals, investigating a career field and experiencing a typical day on the job.
• No credit is received and no fee is charged, but you will have to pay your transportation costs to the site.
Q. Who is eligible to register?
• Currently-enrolled Texas State students. Check Career Services website for program registration dates.
• Must be a second semester freshman, a sophomore, junior or senior in a declared major (seniors graduating in december are not eligible).
• Graduate students are only eligible under special circumstances. (Check with Career Services for clarification.)
• Students may participate more than one semester as long as they are currently enrolled and have not graduated before the job shadowing is scheduled.
• You will need a 1-page resume to complete registration. Ask a career counselor in Career Services to critique your resume or you can research sample resumes on the resume section of the Career Services Job Search Manual on our website.
• Students are responsible for all expenses and logistics (including transportation, meals, parking, etc.)
• Current registration forms are only available at the Career Services office in LBJSC 5-7.1.
Q. Does getting involved with Job Shadowing take a lot of time? I’m very busy.
• Participating in Job Shadowing is simple and convenient.
• Research the employers you are interested in selecting for shadowing. You should be familiar with how your interest and goals applies to each organization.
• Career Services will assign you to shadow on a day or multiple days that work best for you and your busy schedule.
• If you want to shadow at an organization who does not currently participate in the program, you can submit the contact information when you register.
• The Job Shadowing staff will serve as the official liaison to the organization, so it would not be appropriate to call an employer without prior notification of the Job Shadowing staff.
• While it is easy to do, please keep in mind that it does require a commitment since employers are counting on you to show up.
Q. Why should I do it?
• Job Shadowing is a great way for you to learn about the day-to-day work life of a professional in the career field of your choice.
• The program offers you the chance to “test” a career without risk of a semester or longer-term commitment.
• It can also get your foot in the door for a competitive internship program or future job.
Q. What are the benefits of Job Shadowing and why is it one of the most important programs students can take advantage of from Texas State Career Services?
• Introduces you to the requirements of professions and industries and helps you to define your career interests.
• Clarifies career goals, confirms career decisions and helps you to understand what you learn in the classroom leads to success in the workplace.
• Gives a new perspective on your studies, because it opens doors to a number of choices for the future.
• Provides answers to the questions, “Why do I have to learn this?” and “Would I want to make this job a career?”
• Offers a view into all aspects involved in a job. Students can observe not only job characteristics and responsibilities, but also what each profession requires on a day-to-day basis.
• Learn firsthand what it takes to make it in their field of interest from the people who know best – working professionals.
• Network of contacts can develop into mentoring relationships and create a set of connections to professional contacts.
Q. What would I be doing?
• You will have an opportunity to tour the work site, “shadow” an employee(s), sit in on staff meetings, help with projects/tasks and sometimes lunch with staff and Texas State alumni.
• Some students observe in just one department of their interest; others spend time in each department to get an overview of the organization and how the teams/departments work together.
• Be prepared to ask questions about the field, the organization, and the necessary training and skills you need to succeed in the position. (See the sample list below.)
Q. What do Texas State students say about their shadowing experiences?
Physical Therapy major shadowing at a rehab center in Austin: “I would recommend the Job Shadowing program to other students because it is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in your desired field and a great way to meet people and get their insights about that career.”?
Accounting major shadowing at a Texas State agency in Austin: “I would definitely recommend this program. I learned so much that I never would regret giving up break for five days doing Job Shadowing.”
Mass Communication/Electronic Media major shadowing at a television station in Houston: “I had a great experience and learned more than I could have imagined in one day.”
Interior Design major shadowing at an interior design firm in Austin: “This is very interesting because you can see the architects and interior designers working with each other, and really see that what you learn in class will be used in the field.”
Marketing major shadowing at a national radio network in Dallas: “I got great advice about careers and job searching than I thought possible. I feel more confident in my future.”
Geography major shadowing at a television station in Austin: “I recommend Job Shadowing with a passion. There is no better way of knowing what you like than to actually experience it.”
Criminal Justice major shadowing at a law enforcement agency in Austin: “I would recommend the Job Shadowing program because it can give you a hands-on experience as well as provide a learning experience - and I got an internship offer!”
Marketing major shadowing at an investment company in San Antonio: “It could change your perceived image (positive or negative) about a career field. This is a great way to develop contacts.”
International Business major shadowing at a city agency in Austin: “It was very active and had much insight into a city organization dealing with global issues.”
Computer Science major shadowing at a high tech company in Austin: “It gave me an opportunity to see what my career is really like, which is nothing like college, and prepared me for what is to come.”
Finance major shadowing at a regional commercial bank in San Antonio: “It gives you an excellent opportunity to take a look at what you can do with the knowledge you learn in college.”
Mass Communication/Public Relations major shadowing at an Advertising/Public Relations agency in San Antonio: “Certainly, this was a fantastic way to get my feet wet and make some contacts.”
Resume Suggestions
Create or update a resume and be sure to include a 1-2 sentence Externship Objective Statement, i.e. “To gain an overview of the graphic design field by observing professionals and providing limited assistance on creative projects.”
Tips/Guidelines for Students Who Are Scheduled to Job Shadow
• It is imperative that you follow through with your commitment to attend the confirmed job shadowing assignment and agree to abide by the policies of the program.
• You are required to call the shadowing site to re-confirm the date and time at least 3 days in advance. Be sure to ask about parking, attire and driving directions.
• Arrive on time! Factor in traffic and unexpected delays.
• Dress appropriately, as indicated in your confirmation letter. You are not only representing yourself, the University and Career Services, but you are also trailblazing a path for future Texas State students. If you have any questions about what dress is appropriate, please check with the Job Shadowing staff. Be sure to reiterate the expectations of proper attire when you re-confirm with the employer.
• PLEASE do not chew gum or smoke while at your Job Shadowing assignment.
• Prior to going on a shadowing experience, gather information about the organization. The shadowing experience will be more meaningful if you research the facts about what type of industry the organization is, what products or services it offers, the organizational structure, its competitors and other pertinent product/service information you locate. You do not want to appear unprepared and uninformed. A student’s lack of knowledge about the organization is the number one weakness cited on the employer evaluation forms.
• Once at the site, spend as much of your time listening and observing as possible, but be prepared to answer questions that may be asked of you concerning your goals and career interests.
• Ask educated and well-thought-out questions during your job shadowing experience. This will impress your host.
• Remember to act respectful and professional. The employee you are shadowing has graciously given up work time to host you.
• Network. Record names of individuals you meet and collect business cards.
• If you do not like the work, the person you are shadowing, or both, do not make it obvious. Even if you decide the career or employer site is not for you, you are developing valuable contacts you may need in the future.
• Be willing to participate in all activities structured by the workplace host. Keep in mind that you need to be willing to participate in all activities outlined by the organization.
• Develop your ability to work with persons of different educational, economic, cultural, religious, and ethnic backgrounds.
• After the experience is over, write a thank you note to your shadower and other individuals you may have met that day.
• Be sure to complete a Student Evaluation Form after the Job Shadowing experience.
• Please complete the “Student Success Stories” Form and we will include your story on our website. Be sure to take a digital photograph at your shadowing site.
Prepare For Your Job Shadowing Experience
As you prepare for your job shadowing experience, it is very important to make the most of your time spent with the employer and other staff you meet in the organization. The following is a list of twenty questions that will help you to get to know employees in the organization and “break the ice” when you speak with staff you shadow.
| 20 Questions To Ask To Better Know Your Host |
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| 1. What is your job title? |
| 2. What level of education is needed for this job? Is an advanced degree necessary? |
| 3. What were your interests in school? How did that lead to your career choice? |
| 4. What has your career path been? |
| 5. Why did you select this type of work? |
| 6. How long have you been in this position? |
| 7. What are your responsibilities? |
| 8. How would you categorize your work environment? Is it fast-paced? Do you have daily routine tasks? |
| 9. What is a typical day like for you? |
| 10. What do you like most about your job? What do you like least? |
| 11. How have you seen your career interest change? |
| 12. What skills do you think are required for this career that you think I should know? Are there any specific classes you would recommend that would prepare me for this type of job? |
| 13. How did your previous work experience or schooling relate to your career? |
| 14. What is the path for advancement in your field? |
| 15. What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your job? |
| 16. What have you learned from some of the jobs you have had? |
| 17. What kind of career advice would you give to a student who is interested in a similar career? |
| 18. How has your job and your career field changed over the years? |
| 19. Is there anything that you would do differently, if given the chance? |
| 20. If you had only one piece of advice to give me, what would it be? |
JOB SHADOWING EXPECTATIONS
Job Shadowing is a unique opportunity to understand how academics and what you learn in the classroom leads to success in your career field. Read through the list below and decide which learning objectives are the most important to you before you shadow an organization. Rank each item from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most important.
| What I Can Expect from Job Shadowing | Rank |
| To see how the knowledge I am gaining in class is used on the job | ______ |
| To see what professionals in the field do on the job | ______ |
| To understand what skills I need to develop to get the job | ______ |
| To find out more about the work site I am visiting | ______ |
| To see how technology is used on the job | ______ |
| To explore some new career ideas | ______ |
| To learn how much education/experience I will need to obtain the job | ______ |
HELPFUL INFORMATION TO RETRIVE WHILE ON THE SHADOWING ASSIGNMENT
1. How does the department that you shadowed contribute to the organization’s goals?
2. What skills are required to work in this department?
3. Are there other departments that rely on the department you are shadowing to get their job done?
4. What would happen to the organization if this department did not exist?
To these employers, you represent all students and graduates of Texas State University. Conduct yourself with professionalism, confidence and dignity at all times!!
Disability Information
If you have a disability and need an accommodation in order to participate in this event, please call Career Services at 512.245.2645 at least 72 hours prior to this event.