Work Shadowing
Observing a professional in the workplace can help students to understand and gain an insight into a job role and organisation. Work Shadowing aims to offer a short but rich experience for students, while not demanding a great deal of time from the host. By spending time in a workplace, students experience the realities of a professional environment within a certain industry and have the opportunity to question and learn from professionals to help inform their career plans.
Work Shadowing Summer 2022
The Work Shadowing Scheme is moving back to an in-person offer for summer 2022 after a couple of years of being moved online due to Covid restrictions. This is due to the high value placed on students spending time in a physical work environment.
We do understand that it may not always be possible to offer an in-person experience due to current styles of working, confidentiality or issues around health and safety in the workplace. We will therefore continue to offer an online alternative alongside the main scheme.
Work Shadowing Day – an opportunity for a student to experience a day in the workplace and observe a job role in action. This may involve: office/department tours, company presentations, sitting in on meetings or client interactions where appropriate, one to one careers discussion, simulated exercises/mini projects, sector insights into hybrid working.
Work Shadowing Conversation - an opportunity for a student to engage in an online one to one careers conversation with a professional where an in-person day is not possible. We recommend that this includes: an overview of your career journey to date, insight into your organisation/department, a day in the life explanation of your role, insights into the skills required for your role/sector, application and recruitment hints and tips.
The scheme is open to all first year undergraduate students studying STEM subjects at Imperial however priority is given to students from low-participation groups.
Register as a host
If you would like to register as a host for the summer 2022 Work Shadowing Scheme, please complete our online registration form by 23.59 on Monday 2 May 2022.
If you have any questions please contact workshadowing@imperial.ac.uk.
Work Shadowing tabs
How does it work?
We are seeking applications from hosts in all employment sectors and different sized organisations as we have a diverse range of students interested in a wide ranging variety of careers.
Your host registration form will be used to collate an anonymised profile for Imperial first year undergraduate students to apply to. Any matched student will have expressed a strong interest and motivation in gaining an insight into your sector or occupational area.
Work Shadowing has no cost for the host organization, however you will need to have relevant public liability insurance in place and provide a health and safety induction if the experience involves a visit to your workplace.
The Imperial Careers Service will provide registered hosts with guidance on career topics and possible points of discussion whilst hosting the student. For the one to one careers focused conversations, students are advised to follow the Imperial Work Shadowing Scheme: Informational Interviewing Guide 2022.
Due to the nature of the opportunity, there are no salary costs to the student and where applicable, the Careers Service will cover reasonable travel costs and expenses.
When does it take place?
Once students and hosts have been matched, the Work Shadowing experience can take place at any point during the below dates.
Summer Work Shadowing: Monday 20 June to Friday 30 September.
Hosts and students will be asked to decide on a mutually agreeable date and time to undertake the experience.
Why get involved?
Work Shadowing provides a unique opportunity to work with our students while helping to shape their career plans. It will enable you to:
- connect with some of the brightest young people studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) in the UK;
- gain an insight into the skill sets and trends of undergraduate students;
- support your diversity and corporate social responsibility initiatives;
- build a relationship with Imperial College London.