Overview - What is the Extern Job Shadowing Program?

Explore a career by visiting with professionals in the workplace. Extern Job Shadowing Program participants conduct information interviews and/or shadow their host, observing daily work activities, touring a number of departments, and meeting with staff to discuss the industry. The program takes place twice a year, during reading week (Feb 21-24) and during the first week after final exams (May 1-4). Placements vary in length from brief informational interviews to placements lasting from one to five days in length. By participating in this program, you can investigate the skills, educational requirements, work environment, and lifestyle that accompany all aspects of a career.

Who is this for and What will I learn?

Eligibility: Currently enrolled U of T students who are, at time of application, also registered with their campus career centre. First-year undergraduate students are eligible only for the May program. Students will be expected to research their potential career area before applying to the program.

By participating in the program, you will be able to:

• Articulate the day to day activities of your career placement
• Assess if the career you explored through your placement/information interview is the career you want to pursue
• Articulate the key steps in career planning
• Identify the next step in their career development

How does it work?

• Extern Job Shadowing Program Orientation. New and returning participants attend a mandatory orientation session. Participants who took part in the program in 2010 and/or 2011 don’t need to attend an orientation. If that is your case, please contact the Extern office at extern@mail.careers.utoronto.ca for more details. Please refer to the complete program timeline.
• Registration and Pre-assessment. After attending the orientation, students receive an e-mail with instructions on how to register for the program and indicate the career areas of their interest. The registration form will include a short pre-assessment regarding their career planning process
• Promotion to Hosts. Career Centre staff contact potential hosts and secure placements
• Placement Application. All placements are posted on the Career Centre website and program participants apply online for up to four placements of interest and submit an updated résumé.
• Placement Decisions. The applications are screened by a committee of Career Centre staff who determine which students are placed with the hosts based on the following criteria.
• Students who have articulated their interest and goals most effectively as it relates to the placement details provided
• Students who have included a professional résumé
• Year of study (with priority given to upper year students)
• Maximize Your Extern Job Shadowing Program Experience Seminar. All first time participants attend a seminar to assist them in their preparation for the placement.
• Placement Dates. The February program takes place during Reading Week (February 21-24, 2012) and the May program takes place during the week of May 1-4, 2012, after the last week of exams.
• Reflection. Program participants will be asked to assess the outcomes of their participation in the program and submit written reflection or meet with a career counsellor
• Program Evaluation. Program participants will be asked to fill out an evaluation form

Testimonials - What 2011 Participants said about the Extern Program

" I would like to express my utmost appreciation for coordinating the job shadowing program. It was intriguing and inspiring; my host introduced me two crucial components of the complicated water treatments systems in Toronto, which provided me with more profound understanding of the indispensability of your work. Without you and my host, this tour wouldn’t be possible. I will strongly recommend my friends and lower year students to participate in this program since it is a fantastic way to explore industries while linking to some of the courses we take at university."

" CONGRATULATIONS! You did a great job creating the number of potential placement opportunities listed."

" This placement was very eye-opening. I dearly appreciate your help in finding such a placement for us, students. I truly have nothing, but positive words, to describe this experience. Thank you very much."

" This was a well-organized program which gave me insight on the career I wanted to explore as I was unsure as to what career I wanted to pursue."

" With regards to my placement, I had a wonderful time and I learned a lot. Signing up for the Extern Job Shadowing program was one of the best decisions I have made so far during my undergraduate journey."

" Thanks for the opportunity to participate in the job shadowing program. I wish I had found out about in my earlier years. I had a really good go at my host’s workplace and I got along really well with the various people there. I also thanked everyone I met today for their time."

" My experience at the Extern Job Shadowing Program was certainly an inspiring one. In my first year, it was an opportunity to explore the fields of Media and Communications. The hosting organization was a small advertising agency in Toronto. The place looked like someone’s imagination was splattered throughout the interior. My immediate first impression was that this company was unique and extraordinary. I had the opportunity to observe the advertising process in a small agency. My host from the Account Services department set up a tour, meeting observation, and arranged to meet staff from different departments. The employees were very willing to speak to us about their experiences in other companies, and in the industry. I learned about different positions that I never knew existed, such as Account Services, Director of Business Development, Art Director, Editor, VP Production and so much more. It shows that there are endless potential careers out there. The CEO was very inviting, and it was an honour to have a personal talk with him. I sincerely took in his wisdom, success, and failures as inspiration. This entire experience gave me the motivation to continue searching for my passion. As well, seeing successful people in careers they love shows that determination and hard work pays off. As well, I learned to keep an open mind – there’s a chance new doors could open. Furthermore, getting a taste of the corporate world calmed my fears of putting myself out there. Now that I have been slightly exposed, there’s an idea of what to expect and how to behave in the business world. The experience more than anything will further benefit my future networking and employment experiences. Although I would probably not like to pursue advertising, I am excited to explore the different fields of Media and Communications. "

Extern Job Shadowing Program contact information

Extern Job Shadowing Program
extern@mail.careers.utoronto.ca
416-978-7764

Questions, need accommodations?

If you have any questions or require accommodations (e.g. sign language interpreters, assistive devices, large print materials, etc.), please contact our office at 416-978-7764 or extern@mail.careers.utoronto.ca