2023–2024 Program Dates
WINTER: DECEMBER 6-20, 2023
SPRING: MARCH 6-17, 2024
Program Overview
The Job Shadowing Program gives you the opportunity to support UChicago students as they launch their careers. During a job shadowing experience, also known as an “externship”, undergraduate students shadow an alumni or parent host virtually or in their place of work for a half-day to a week or longer. This is a fantastic opportunity to mentor students interested in your career field and maybe even find your next intern!
Most student participants are in their 1st or 2nd years and as such will have varying levels of exposure to professional environments. Some will be very polished and some may be visiting a professional environment for the first time. The opportunity to learn from an industry expert like you is invaluable for students and has allowed past participants to be placed in internships at twice the rate of their peers.
Please note that students wish to shadow alumni and parents around the world in a variety of industries: you do not need to be based in or around Chicago to participate. Typically, we see the highest volume of applicants looking for positions in or around major metro areas. Job shadowing experiences are unpaid, and students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel, housing, meals, etc.
INTERESTED IN HOSTING? COMPLETE THIS BRIEF QUESTIONNAIRE!
Check out our industry guides to learn more about how to set up a job shadowing experience in your industry:
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Isaiah Spears at ispears@uchicago.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to host all 5 days?
No. Scheduling is at the host's discretion. We do ask that in-person experiences be long enough for the student to get a substantive view of your career field, but these opportunities can last anywhere from 1 to 5 days.
Do I have to provide housing or transportation?
Students are responsible for finding their own housing, transportation to the job shadowing site, and for all costs related to the experience.
My work involves confidential information. How do you handle these situations?
If necessary, students can be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Job shadowing experiences can also be designed so that they only involve non-confidential activities.
How is a student matched with me?
Students are matched to a host based on their industry preferences and career goals, and they’re only offered one job shadowing opportunity. For in-person opportunities, students are also matched based on their location preferences.
What should I have my student do?
The specific activities involved in a job shadowing experience vary between hosts and industries, and between in-person and remote opportunities. Some common activities include:
- Giving a tour of the facility
- Sharing your career history
- Discussing the student’s career interests and questions
- Providing an overview of your organization's operations and staff divisions
- Inviting the student to observe meetings, conference calls, and other events
- Reviewing the student’s resume, LinkedIn profile, and other professional development materials
- Arranging informational interviews with your colleagues
- Assigning small projects
Essentially, any activity that gives your student a tangible sense of daily life in your field is suitable.
Once I am assigned a student, how will I be put in touch with them?
We will send your student an e-mail with your preferred contact information. The student will then contact you to begin discussing the logistics.
Can I arrange for my student to spend time with people other than me?
Absolutely! We encourage hosts to give a broad view of the professional roles available in their organization and industry. Students also appreciate the opportunity to expand their professional network.