Host Job Shadow Information

The program takes place over Winter Break, three weeks in January.  Employers will host students for one day (minimum of 6 hours).  

The application process is online. Employer registration will be open from late July to early October.  

*Dates subject to change based on availability of programming resources

Job Shadow hosts can be located anywhere, however, we do not guarantee the placement of a student. A majority of Stout students are from these areas: the Chippewa Valley (Menomonie, Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls), the Twin Cities Metro area, and the Wausau Metro (including Steven's Point).

While shadowing you, students will be observing your day-to-day activities to help them gain insight on this particular career interest. The student may provide very limited assistance with projects or tasks to help them get acquainted with your organization. This is not designed to be “work”.

No, students do not receive payment for this experience.  It is a shadowing experience, not a work experience.

No, students are responsible for their own experience and arranging their own transportation and lodging if needed.

Yes, of course.  This information will be gathered when completing your online application. However, do keep in mind the responsibilities of being a host before committing to a larger number of students. You will want to consider how you structure the job shadowing day if you have more than one student in order to allow for the best experience for all involved.

Interested students will submit an application to our office, which will include ranking their top three job shadow preferences. Career Services will review the application and select quality candidates to move forward. Career Services staff will match students based on career interests and location preferences. Once a match is made, Career Services staff will send an e-mail confirmation to the student and host employer contact. This e-mail will connect the student and employer virtually and you can begin to arrange dates/times with your student(s).

Employer hosts are notified of their matches prior to Thanksgiving break. You will receive the name and contact information of your student(s) as well as their major, anticipated graduation date, their short responses to questions about their professional and academic interests, and their goals in participating in the Job Shadowing Program.

We do not, as a rule, collect resumes from our participating students. Many are still working with our Career Services Counselors to craft their resumes.

You are welcome to correspond with your student(s) before the job shadowing day and, if you wish, you may ask them to send you their resumes.

While many students enjoy the opportunity to experience job shadowing, we do not guarantee a direct match. Matches will be dependent on the number of student applications received. You will be contacted via e-mail by Career Services once a match is made.

The University of Wisconsin - Stout will not take responsibility for any incidents occurring during the job shadowing experience. Student and employer should review all necessary safety rules and regulations.

Employers should provide necessary safety briefings and equipment to the student prior to the beginning of the job shadowing experience.

It is the student's responsibility to disclose any medical conditions that might result in safety concerns prior to the visit. Arrangements for accommodations can be discussed, if necessary.

Required waivers, permission forms, Release of Liability, non-disclosure, confidentiality forms should be provided by the employer and read and signed by the student if required by the company/organization

To help address this risk you may want to consider:

• Discussing specific confidentiality or privacy requirements at your company with the student(s) upon arrival.
• Requiring students to sign a non-disclosure agreement.
• Building greater structure into the job shadowing day schedule in order to limit student access to secure areas or information. For example, a series of formal informational interviews may be more appropriate than informal one-on-one shadowing.
• Limiting access - Do not grant student(s) access to secure areas or areas where they are likely to encounter confidential information, or ensure they are always accompanied by a staff member when in these areas.

Career Services staff members are happy to discuss your company’s unique needs to help find the best way to address your privacy concerns.