As a job shadow you follow (i.e. “shadow”) a professional for one day at work. You do not participate in working but simply observe your job shadowing partner during their usual working day.
Job Shadowing offers you the opportunity to get to know the work routine in a specific professional field or company in a very short time. It can help you to get information about different career prospects and business cultures, and to establish first professional contacts.
The typical Job Shadowing day
As a matter of fact, there is no "typical" job shadowing day. You may plan your day individually in accordance with your contact person. If you are particularly interested in a specific topic or area of specialisation, feel free to ask if the shadowing can be arranged accordingly. Usually you do not work as a job shadow, but only watch your job shadowing partner. Short "training tasks" may be assigned, too - however, these should not take up too much time of the day. The focus should lay on experiencing the job shadowing partner in their everyday work routine.
The day could look like this, for example:
- Welcome, brief introduction to the company, formalities
- Short company tour
- Accompany the work day: Job Shadowing
- Concluding conversation
The concluding conversation
A short concluding conversation should take place in any case. It is a good opportunity to clarify open questions and get feedback. If you enjoyed the day at the company, you can also use this opportunity to ask whether you can stay in touch.
These are your benefits
- You get direct insight into a company and the company culture.
- You get to know the typical daily work routine in a certain profession.
- You gain a first idea of a field of work / area of specialisation.
- You can make first professional contacts.
- You can do all of this without spending a lot of time.
How to participate
Placing process
- Inform yourself on our website about participating businesses and positions.
- Register for the company of your choice using the online form. We forward your registration to the company.
- If the company approves, you will receive the contact details of your job shadowing partner. Please contact him or her to arrange all the details, like date and time for your job shadowing day.
After the Job Shadowing
- After completing your job shadowing day, please send us a brief report about your experience (5-10 sentences).
- Don’t forget to also thank the company and your personal contact! They will be happy to receive some personal feedback from you as well.
What is expected from you
- Talk to your contact person about the date, time, schedule and meeting point.
- You can prepare yourself by researching the company a bit. But don’t worry: It will not be expected that you already know the company by heart. Your contact person will give you a short overview before the beginning of the work day.
- On the job shadowing day you should be, first and foremost, curious. Ask questions and be yourself.
- After completing your job shadowing day, please send us a brief report about your experience (5-10 sentences).
- Don’t forget to also thank the company and your personal contact! They will be happy to receive some personal feedback from you as well.
Tips for a successful Job Shadowing day
- Research the company in advance. The company website is often a good source of information.
- Communicate friendly and reliable with your contacts. Make sure that you have all the key data for your Job Shadowing day settled, such as time and meeting point.
- Show interest: ask questions and give feedback.
- If it was a positive experience for you, ask your contact person if you can stay in touch.
Legal formalities
Please note that job shadowing is not covered by statutory accident insurance. Due to the principle of self-insurance, it is also not possible for the university to take out insurance for students.
You must take out sufficient accident and liability insurance cover yourself.
Any travel and accommodation costs that may arise must be borne by yourself.