*UCF Job Shadow is taking a break and is returning as KnightShadow in Summer 2023!

What is the UCF Job Shadow Program

The UCF Job Shadow program is a one day opportunity for UCF students to connect with industry professionals to gain exposure to a wide variety of career fields and industries. Sessions take place during the academic breaks of the Fall (December), Spring (March), and Summer (August) semesters and include in-person and virtual options.

The UCF Job Shadow program is not for academic credit and participants do not receive monetary compensation. Participants are responsible for their meals, as well as, travel costs to and from their Job Shadow Host Site. Be sure to consider these variables when you apply and schedule your job shadow


Benefits of Participating
  • Connect with professionals and explore career options
  • Gain insight into “day in the life” or a specific occupation 
  • Build your resume 

Typical Activities of Job Shadow Day
  • Presentation on the organization
  • A panel or meet and greet of current interns and/or alumni 
  • Observing job duties and client interactions 
  • Attending meetings or office events 
  • Office tours 
  • Learning about internship/career opportunities within the organization 
  • An informational interview 

Types of Opportunities and Locations

The UCF Job Shadow program provides both in-person and virtual job shadow experiences, hosted throughout the state of Florida. 

Experiential Learning works diligently to provide a variety of job shadow experiences.  However, available experiences are only those that are submitted by hosts.  While we invite all of our contacts and target all majors/industries to participate in the program, some organizations may not have the resources to provide a job shadowing experience.  Therefore, the list of experiences may be limited and vary by semester. 


How to Apply

Applications for the UCF Job Shadow Program are accepted through Handshake, during the application window for that session. Students must submit a resume and cover letter to apply to opportunities. Submitting your application does not guarantee you will be matched with a job shadow experience. 

 

Learn More

For more information on the program, how to apply, and key dates and deadlines you can attend one of our live information sessions or check out our information session recording. Visit Handshake for information session dates and times.


FAQ’s

What kinds of industries participate? 

All Industries are welcome to participate. 

Where are shadowing experiences located? 

Shadowing experiences are offered wherever we have UCF alumni and friends of the University who are willing to host! The locations of the Job Shadowing experiences will vary each session, depending on who has submitted opportunities. 

I am an international student, can I participate in the Job Shadow Program? 

The job shadow program is open to all currently enrolled students, including those who are international. Job Shadowing is not an internship so being able to work in the U.S. does is not a requirement (unless specified by the Host on their registration form). 

Is housing/transportation provided? 

No. It is important to consider geographic location. While most job shadow experiences only last one day, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange housing and transportation and cover any related expenses. 

How many job shadow opportunities can I apply for? 

Students can apply for multiple opportunities per session and can be matched with multiple experiences. However, we will only match students with one (1) job shadow experience per day.

How long does the job shadow experience last? 

Job shadow experiences can range from a few hours to a full day. Specific times may not be available during the application period, so students are expected to be available the entire day. 

Be sure to check back frequently as opportunities can be added throughout the application window.  

If I apply to an experience, will I be matched with that experience? 

Submitting your application does not guarantee you will be matched with a job shadow experience. Due to the popularity of organizations and/or the number of students an organization can host, sometimes students will not be matched. The UCF Job Shadow program will make every effort to match as many applicants to at least one job experience.

Are students required to attend an orientation session? 

Yes. If you are matched with a job shadow experience, you must participate in the mandatory student orientation. This orientation is will be administered via webcourses and is designed to brief you on expectations, logistics, planning, and sign off on waivers. 

What if I have to cancel my job shadow experience? 

  • By applying to any UCF Job Shadow program opportunity, you are committing to the experience. Since students apply in advance, you should be able to follow-through on this commitment. 
  • If a student is unable to participate in their experience for any reason, they MUST notify the UCF Job Shadow program immediately. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances (such as natural disasters, unforeseen personal emergencies), cancelling after this window will prohibit student participation in future sessions. Students who cancel after this date will also be required to send an apology letter to their host. 

How do I find a job shadow experience on my own? 

  • Create a LinkedIn profile and begin building an online professional network. 
  • Ask friends, family, neighbors, colleagues, faculty, peers, and former employers — anyone you know — for opportunities to shadow in their workplace. 
  • Students are also encouraged to connect with the Faculty Coordinator for their major. Visit our Meet the Team page to find contact information for the liaison to your major.

Questions

Contact the UCF Job Shadow Program at jobshadow@ucf.edu