Job shadowing can serve as an important aspect of the career decision-making process for students. Of course classroom and on-campus experiences are integral to a student's learning, but shadowing gives students the opportunity to visualize what their career might look like in a more realistic setting. The Career Development Center facilitates the job shadowing process by matching students and hosting companies through the Job Shadow Program. Please consider applying to be a host to connect with Oregon State University students and create an impactful experience.
 

Student Information

What is a Job Shadow?

The Job Shadow Program is your opportunity to enhance your recruitment strategy by hosting and connect with an Oregon State student in your workplace. In a day (or half-day), you will engage with current students on their journey to finding their own career path.

Interested in Becoming a Job Shadow Host?

Host registration is now open for 2023

For 2022-23, please make sure to check our timeline below for job shadows to ensure you meet the deadline for applications. Unsure how to create a great job shadow experience? Check out our sample schedules for ideas. Questions? Contact wendy.allison@oregonstate.edu or 541-737-4480.

Thank you to our 2021-22 hosts!

 

Register as a Host

Frequently Asked Questions About the Job Shadow Program

Advice will vary by student and host, but generally a great job shadow experience is one that is educational and realistic. Students seek job shadows in order to gain a real-world perspective about a career they’ve had minimal exposure to. In order to help them make an informed career decision, the job shadow should be a realistic representation for what a typical day in the field is like. And, in addition to benefiting the student, the experience should also benefit the host.

Ideas to create a great experience for the student and host:

  • Send or show the student an itinerary of their day in advance.
  • Schedule brief conversations with peers in different departments.
  • Allow the student time to talk to HR about hiring trends and future opportunities.
  • Share your own career exploration process.
  • Offer advice for how the student can best utilize their remaining time as an Oregon State student.

Make sure to check out our sample schedules for more ideas.

Depending on the host, activities can include an observation of daily work, informational interviews, meetings within the organization, coffee/lunch with Oregon State alumni at the office or worksite, a tour of the organization, hands-on experience or meet and greets with current interns and/or college hires. Hosts will have the opportunity to collaborate with the student and create a schedule that is most beneficial for both parties.

There is no cost to employers or students to participate in this program. However, students are expected to cover all of their personal expenses. Any assistance (i.e. travel, lunch, etc.) that a hosting company can provide the student is most appreciated.

All student applications will be reviewed and matched by the Career Development Center. Hosts will be notified of their match in May. Please view the timeline for updated dates regarding the Job Shadow Program.

​​​​​​Job shadows will take place June 13 - July 8, 2022. They will range from a half day to a full day, a coffee or lunch meet and greet, or a virtual informational interview depending on the host.

Job shadow opportunities are primarily available in the Willamette Valley (Portland, Salem, Corvallis and Eugene), with some in Seattle, Vancouver (Washington) and Northern California.

Being a host is a great way to give back to the Beaver community while providing students with the opportunity to gain realistic perspectives of potential careers. Hosts can give insight about careers that students likely will not learn in the classroom.

No, job shadows are unpaid experiences.

Important Dates and Deadlines

 

November 7, 2022

Host recruitment opens

February 24, 2023

Host submission period closes

March 1, 2023

Student application period opens

May 5, 2023

Student application period closes

May 8 -12, 2023

Students and hosts are notified of their placements

Mid-May

Orientation meeting with students

May 30 - June 3, 2023

Students reach out to hosts and finalize details

June 20 - July 7, 2023

Job shadows take place (arranged by student and host with assistance from the Career Development Center)


This program is in partnership with the Oregon State University Alumni Association and allows alumni and other career partners the opportunity to engage with current students on their journey to finding their own professional paths.

Thank you!

to our 2022 Job Shadow hosts

Kylie Robertson - Autograph

Kala Kopecek - Barry-Wehmiller Design Group

Trevor Munro - BECON

Kyle Botermans - Bristol Myers Squibb

Brandon Larrabee - Bureau of Indian Affairs

Jennifer Hebbeler - Bureau of Indian Affairs

Ryan Stevens - Candidate Labs

Joe Donovon - CBS News/WCCO

Scott Kemp - Cinematic Solutions

Nick Clark - Consor Engineers

Kimberly Ward Barowicz - Critical Path Institute

Rebecca Kobzeff - DWFritz Automation

Austin Steimer - Earth Cruiser

Laura Marshall - ECONorthwest

Sandy Letzing - Forest Carbon Works

Carolina Guillen - Genentech

Lauren Lippman - Genentech

Megan Heinze - Genentech

Shruti Gangakhedhar - Genentech

Tianna Coburn - Genentech

Lisa Hale - Grace Bio-Labs, Inc

Gabriela Ahern - IMDb (Subsidiary of Amazon)

Lyubo Gankov - Intel

Macklin Turnquist - JSat Automation

Kate Ause - Kate Ause Showroom

Jered Reid - Law Office of Jered Reid, LLC

Sophia Uchiyama - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Yuliya Dennis - MECOP

Sara Lambeth - Micron Technology

Madison Leighton - Nalco Water an Ecolab Company

Katie Jones - National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON)

Anthony Lazzaro - Natural Point/OptiTrack

Levi Clark - Neoleukin

Logan Leslie - Nike

Deborah L. Grubbe - Operations and Safety Solutions, LLC

Scott Youngblood - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

Misty Mason Freeman - Oregon State Legislature, Policy and Research Office

Andrew Hall - PotlachDeltic Corporation

Derek Abbey - Project Recover

Matt Hauck - Providence Sports Medicine

Grant Stalley - Red Sky

Hayden Vlahandreas - Serán Bioscience

Asia Pfeifer - Sierra Institute for Community and Environment

Maria Agoston - Tektronix

Pallavi Prakash Sapale - Tesla

Kalan Guiley - The Boeing Company

Debra Gale - Thermo Fisher Scientific

Mark Miller - Trout Mountain Forestry

Casey Robison - Ultimate RB

Nemanja Demic - Urban Teachers

Ryan Bellmore - US Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Jay Schnoor - VEDX Solutions Inc

Olivia Crisp - W.R. Grace

Tom Szymoniak - Washington State Department of Natural Resources

Rudy Frazzini - Weyerhaeuser

Emily Battilega - Willamette Egg Farms