USM Job Shadow Program

USM Job Shadow is a one-day program that gives USM students and alumni the opportunity to spend one full day shadowing employers in Maine and nationwide. The USM Job Shadow Program is a great way for USM students and alumni to form connections with employers and gain exposure to different career possibilities in a variety of industries. Job Shadow opportunities will be offered during one week of the spring and fall semesters. 

The USM Job Shadow program is a great opportunity to…

  • Network: Build connections with employers and expand your professional network.
  • Build your resume: Demonstrate your interest in a certain field (or fields) and show your willingness to learn.
  • Explore employment opportunities: Each day you spend doing a USM Shadow program could lead to a potential internship, part-time or full-time job!

The USM Job Shadow Program is open to all current USM undergraduate and graduate students, as well as USM alumni. Students from all majors and backgrounds are encouraged to participate! Your major does not have to be directly related to the employer/industry you shadow.

  • JSP participant and host stand by the front desk at Unum, which has the Unum logo on it.
    I was unsure about my field of study and was recommended to this program and now I feel like I want to recommend anyone to do it! It’s great experience to spend a day in a professional setting.
    Reagan L. ’25
    Communications
    Job Shadowed at Unum
  • I learned… about what it means to be a salesperson in the sports industry. It was a lot of fun and It was one of my highlights of the year. 
    Ryan K. ’26
    Communications & Media Studies
    Job Shadowed at the Maine Mariners
  • The Job Shadow Program gave me an excellent opportunity to network and expose myself to a career choice I never would have had otherwise!
    Thomas W. ’23
    Business
    Job Shadowed at the Bangor Savings Bank
  • Mykayla Hoggard, '24, participating in the Job Shadow Program at Hearst Television.
    I would recommend JSP to anyone who needs guidance and support in finding their career.
    Mykayla H. ’24
    Media Studies
    Job Shadowed at the Hearst Television
  • Catherine Mallory, '24, standing in front of Job Shadow Host Site Hannaford Logo
    My job Shadow experience allowed me to get more exposure to a career I wanted to pursue, but have no prior experience with.
    Catherine M. ’24
    Finance
    Job Shadowed at the Hannaford

Getting started with the USM Job Shadow Program is easy!

Step 1: Complete the Student Interest Form

Begin by filling out the Student Interest Form (link). This form helps us learn more about your interests, goals, and what kinds of organizations or careers you would like to explore.

Not sure where you want to shadow yet? That’s okay! You do not need to have a specific organization in mind. If there is a company or employer you are especially interested in, you are welcome to let us know, and we will do our best to help facilitate a connection.

Tip: If you need some inspiration, simply take a look on the website for some of the host sites that participated in the past.

Fill out the Student Interest Form

Step 2: Meet with the Career Hub

After receiving your form, a member of the Career Hub team will reach out to discuss your interests and next steps. Our goal is to help arrange a job shadow experience within 2–4 weeks whenever possible, and we will work around your schedule to make it happen.

Having a resume is helpful, but it is not required to begin the process. If you do not have one yet, we are happy to help you create one.

Step 3: Prepare for Your Experience

Once a match has been confirmed, the Career Hub will help you prepare for a successful job shadow experience. This may include:

  • Reviewing or creating your resume (optional)
  • Discussing professional expectations and etiquette
  • Helping you prepare questions for your host organization
  • Providing information about what to wear and how to make the most of your experience

Step 4: Shadow and Explore

Spend a day with a local employer, learn about careers that interest you, and begin building your professional network. Job shadow experiences are designed to help you explore career paths, gain insight into different industries, and make valuable connections.

If you have questions about how to apply or about the program in general, please email usmcareers@maine.edu.

A typical Job Shadow day will include one or more of the following: 

  • Informational interviews with one or more employees 
  • Attending meetings and/or events 
  • Tour of the building/facilities 
  • Opportunities to observe and ask questions about daily/routine tasks 
  • Participation in the organization’s interactions with clients 
  • Meeting interns and USM alumni working at the organization 
  • Learning about job and internship opportunities 
  • You are responsible for making sure you can travel to your job shadow site. USM will not provide any compensation for costs associated with travel. 
  • You will not receive academic credit or any form of monetary compensation for participating in the Job Shadow Program. 
  • You will be required to complete a mandatory orientation before your job shadow day. If you are selected for a job shadow opportunity, the Career Hub will reach out to you with orientation details. Orientations will take place approximately one week before your job shadow day and will be available both in-person and via Zoom. 
  • After your Job Shadow Program day, you will be required to send a thank you note to the employer, submit a 1-2 sentence description of your experience to the Career Hub, and complete a post-program evaluation survey.

Q: What types of industries, companies, and organizations participate in the USM Job Shadow Program?

A: Students may request job shadow experiences in a wide variety of industries and career fields. The Career Hub works with an expanding network of employers and community partners and will do its best to connect students with organizations that align with their interests. Students may also suggest specific organizations they would like to shadow.

Q: How do I participate in the USM Job Shadow Program?

A: Complete the Job Shadow Interest Form and tell us about your career interests, goals, and any organizations you are interested in exploring. A Career Hub staff member will then contact you to discuss opportunities and help identify a suitable host site.

Q: Will I need to meet with the Career Hub or the employer before my Job Shadow experience?

A: Yes. Students are required to meet with a Career Hub staff member prior to their Job Shadow experience to discuss expectations, professionalism, and any questions they may have. Students are not required to interview or meet with the host organization before the Job Shadow day.

Q: Is participation in the Job Shadow Program limited to specific majors?

A: No. Students from all majors are encouraged to participate. Job shadowing is a great way to explore careers, industries, and work environments, even those outside of your academic field.

Q: What if I am interested in a field or organization that is not currently part of the program?

A: Let us know! Students are encouraged to share specific organizations or career areas they would like to explore. The Career Hub will make every effort to identify and connect with potential host sites that match their interests.

Q: Is there a limit to how many Job Shadow experiences I can participate in?

A: Students may participate in multiple Job Shadow experiences. We encourage students to think strategically about how each experience supports their career goals and professional development.

Q: How long does it take to be matched with a host organization?

A: Match timelines vary depending on the student’s interests and host availability. In most cases, the Career Hub aims to facilitate a Job Shadow experience within 2–4 weeks of receiving the student’s interest form.

Q: When do Job Shadow experiences take place?

A: The USM Job Shadow Program operates throughout the semester. Once a student and host organization are matched, the date and details of the experience are arranged between the student and the host site.

Q: What happens if severe weather affects my scheduled Job Shadow experience?

A: Please communicate directly with your host site if severe weather impacts your scheduled experience. Students and host organizations are encouraged to work together to reschedule for a mutually convenient date.

Excellent! Please complete the Employer Interest form and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

If your organization is interested in hosting a USM student or alumni and would like to receive more information, please reach out to Peter Hofmann, Ph. D., Career Liaison, at peter.hofmann@maine.edu.