Over winter break, University students participated in winter job shadow programs offered by different colleges to give young students a chance to spend a day experiencing an industry and work environment they are interested in.

Lynnell Lacy, assistant director of the Engineering Career Services, attended Engineering 100 classes to speak with freshmen in order to draw attention to the job shadow program. She explained the program is targeted to freshmen and sophomores, or juniors who recently transferred. She said 81 companies posted over 400 job shadow opportunities.

It is a common phenomenon that employers do not wish to hire freshmen for internships, Lacy said, adding that the job shadow program can be considered one-day work experience for freshmen.

Nicholas Bourne, freshman in Business, went to Northwestern Mutual, a life insurance company. He said he hopes to join the program again next year to see more workplaces.

“I definitely learned more about what financial career is and kind of what they do on a day-to-day basis,” Bourne said.

Thomas Watson, freshman in Business, went to Joy of Marketing, a consulting company for small businesses. After attending the program, he said he realized he preferred to work at a small firm because small companies have less employees.

For participating employers, the program serves as a first chance to connect with students. Through the one-day visit, students can use the shadow as a way to pre-identify their strengths. Talented students are offered an early invitation to interview for an internship after the student has finished their first year of school, allowing students to build a web of contacts.

Jean Drasgow, director for Career Services in ACES, said each college has its own schedule for the program. For ACES students, applications are due early in the fall, and they will know their matched company and location before winter break.

Lacy said before submitting their resumes, students are required to attend an information session to understand professionalism, in terms of how they act and how they appear while representing the University.

After signing an agreement, students are committed to visit their matched company. Those who do not are punished, as the company must spend time and money preparing for the shadow. For example, the company needs to take employees away from their projects to spend time with students.

In the Engineering program, Lacy said, students who behave unprofessionally may be punished by losing accessibility to I-Link until they meet with the director of the Engineering Career Services.

“The job shadow really paves the way for students to begin to connect with the employers and to begin to showcase their skills, knowledge and abilities,” Lacy said.

Ruge can be reached at [email protected].