Job Shadows

The SJSU Job Shadow Program is an opportunity for students to connect with a professional in order to learn about their role and explore different career paths and industries.

By participating in the Job Shadow Program, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Discover new industries and interesting roles
• Learn from current employees
• Experience different companies
• Build your professional network

Job Shadow Experience Types

Students who are matched with a professional may participate in 1 of 5 types of experiences depending on employer preferences and availability. These opportunities include:

• Full Day (In Person, 6 - 8 hours)
• Half Day (In Person, 2 - 4 hours)
• Coffee or Lunch (In Person, 1 - 2 hours)
• Informational Interview (Virtual, 30 minutes - 1 hour)

Student applications are now open. Please note that the student application process requires several steps. Only students who complete all application steps will be eligible to participate in the 2024 Job Shadow Program.

Step 1: Submit the Job Shadow Program Student Application

Students are invited to submit their initial application for the Job Shadow Program via the link below. Students must submit their initial application by 5pm on Friday, February 23, 2024.

Job Shadow Program Student Application

Step 2: Register for 1 of 5 mandatory student orientation sessions.

After completing the initial application, students must register and attend 1 of 5 student orientation sessions. Please see below for details regarding the 5 sessions and links to register on Handshake.

• Student Orientation #1: Monday, February 26, 2024, 12-1pm
• Student Orientation #2: Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 4-5pm
• Student Orientation #3: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 12-1pm
• Student Orientation #4: Thursday, February 29, 2024, 12-1pm
• Student Orientation #5: Friday, March 1, 2024, 9-10am

Step 3: Complete the orientation quiz. 

Students who attend an orientation session will be emailed a short quiz after the session. Students must submit their quiz responses by 5pm on Tuesday, March 5th.

Step 4: Complete the DocuSign packet.

Students who complete Steps 1, 2, and 3 will be sent a student waiver & liability packet via DocuSign on Friday, March 8, 2024. Students must complete this packet by 5pm on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Students who complete the DocuSign packet will receive a confirmation email notifying them that they have completed the student application process.

Students who complete the full student application process (I.e. Steps 1-4) will be eligible to be paired with a professional for the Job Shadow Program. Students will be matched with professionals based on their responses to the questions in the initial student application.

Students who are paired with an employer will be connected with them via email on Friday, March 15, 2024. Students will be responsible for confirming the details of their Job Shadow experience with their employer.

• Who can participate?

  • All currently enrolled undergraduate students are invited to participate in the Job Shadow Program. 

• How long is a Job Shadow experience?

  • The length of a Job Shadow experience can range depending on its type. Please see the top of this page for more information regarding the length of each opportunity.

• When does the Job Shadow program occur?

  • Job Shadows will occur during Spring Break on April 1 - April 5, 2024.

• What activities are included in a Job Shadow Experience?

  • The activities included in each Job Shadow vary by employer. In addition to observing your host's daily responsibilities, some activities may include touring the company's campus, attending internal meetings, and participating in a networking lunch.

• Are Job Shadows virtual or in-person?

  • Job Shadows can be either virtual or in-person depending on student and employer preferences.

• Does it cost anything to participate in a Job Shadow?

  • There are no formal program fees to participate in a Job Shadow. However, students are responsible for all transportation-related costs required to attend the experience (e.g. gas, parking, public transportation, etc.).

• Are students paid to attend Job Shadows?

  • No, students are not paid for attending Job Shadows.

• Can students earn academic credit for attending Job Shadows?

  • No, students cannot earn academic credit for attending Job Shadows.

• Will food be provided as part of a Job Shadow?

  • Some employers may choose to cover the cost of a lunch and/or refreshments, but this decision is up to each employer.

Please email Laura Anderson (Career Experiences Program Lead) at laura.anderson@sjsu.edu.