Penn State Behrend Job Shadowing Externship

Penn State Behrend has developed a job shadowing program and is seeking alumni who would be willing to host a Behrend student for a day-long job shadow experience on a mutually convenient day during our winter break. The job shadow program gives our interested sophomore students an opportunity to explore potential careers and gain exposure to the professional world. The Academic and Career Planning Center will match pre-selected students to alumni within specific majors, industries, or city locations. Apply to be a mentor for the Job Shadow Program.

OVERVIEW
The Winter Break Job Shadow Program is a pilot program for high-performing Behrend students and will take place during the students' winter break. It will give students an opportunity to explore a potential career through shadowing an alumnus. Job shadowing could be for a day, a few hours, or a few days.

It is a great way for our students to gain exposure to the professional world, see what a “real day” looks like in his or her chosen industry, and network with professionals. The Academic and Career Planning Office (ACPC) will connect pre-selected students with an Alumni Professional. The ACPC will guide the student and Alumni Professional in setting up a job shadowing experience during a mutually convenient day. The ACPC will also coach our students beforehand on what to ask, what to wear, and how to be professional.

POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES DURING JOB SHADOWING

• Shadow one or more alumni professional(s) for a full day
• Conduct informational interviews with professionals in a range of departments and levels
• Participate in daily operations that provide hands-on exposure to the career field/industry
• Complete a relevant project, if the externship is long enough to accommodate it
• Attend meetings and presentations
• Tour the work site

NECESSARY STUDENT QUALIFICATIONS

• Eager to learn more about professional life and the day-to-day aspects of careers
• Attend a professionalism seminar held by the ACPC in the fall semester to prepare you for your job shadowing experience

NECESSARY AVAILABILITY

• Flexible availability over our students' Winter Break (mid-December to early January) to try to match up with the availability
• Plan to be available for a day-long job shadow; although some shadowing that are shorter (a few hours) or longer (a few days) are possible

Apple to be a mentor for the Winter Break Job Shadow Program.