Will I Get a Job?
The focus of the Job Shadowing Program is to help you learn more about a specific career area through your placement or virtual conversation. Your host is agreeing to help with your career exploration (not provide you with employment). The program can, however, help you expand your professional network which could lead to potential employment.
What Types of Placements Are Available?
Placements and virtual conversations are available in a wide variety of career areas and change from year to year. We review all of the registration forms to determine which career areas are most popular with students. We then target potential hosts using this information.
What If I Was Eligible to Participate in the Existing Program in the Past?
All students are able to participate in the program for 3 years from the day they completed Career Exploration Part 1.
For example, if you were eligible in 2025–26, then you would be eligible in 2026/27 and 2027/28.
If your eligibility expires, you can complete the preparatory modules once more to reactivate your eligibility.
Can I Put This Experience on My Resume? Can I Use My Sponsor as a Reference?
This is a short-term placement with a host and should not be listed as a workplace experience. Similarly, your host will not be able to provide you with a reference.
Do All Students Get Placed?
The Job Shadow Program is competitive and not all students who complete the Career Exploration Preparation will be placed. Students who are not matched to a placement are strongly encouraged to apply again in a future cycle.
How Are Placement Decisions Made?
All applications will be screened by a committee of Career Centre staff members to ensure the best possible fit between the student and the host.
Placements will be awarded to students who have articulated their interest and knowledge of the career area most effectively as it relates to the placement details provided.
The evaluating committee will also take into consideration if students have previously participated in the program to explore the same (or different) career area of their interest.
How Long Are the Placements?
Placements may take the form of a half day or full day in person experience, or a virtual career conversation with a professional. Some hosts may also choose to include an optional offline activity or reflection component as part of the experience. Placement format, duration, and structure are determined by the host.
How Do I Find Out About My Placement?
Program participants are sent an informational email with placement details after the matching process has been completed.
How Can I Participate?
In order to participate in the program, students must complete the Career Exploration Part 1 Online Module and attend the Career Exploration Part 2 in-person workshop.
The dates for these workshops can be found on the CLNx calendar.
Who Can I Contact for More Information?
Jelena Vulic
Partner Relations for Experiential Learning
University of Toronto Mississauga | Career Centre
Email: jelena.vulic@utoronto.ca
Web: www.utm.utoronto.ca/careers/jsp