Work Shadowing

Host Recruitment

Employers large and small from a range of different industries and sectors are invited to register as Work Shadowing Hosts by Imperial. The Work Shadowing Hosts are often companies with an interest in engaging with Imperial students and offering them an opportunity to develop insight into their organisation and job role. Host registrations are anonymised and uploaded into a Directory for students to review and apply to. 

Student Applications

Students can apply to the scheme via an online application form  which requires you to choose up to three Work Shadowing host profiles from the Work Shadowing Directory in order of preference and detail a motivation to be matched to each profile. Work Shadowing places can be competitive with limited places for certain hosts. A strong application will showcase your commitment to your career development and a detailed interest in each chosen host profile. 

Matching

All student applications will be reviewed by the Work Shadowing Team after applications close. We attempt to make as many positive matches as possible based on students preferences and host availability. If certain host profiles are over-subscribed, priority is given to the strongest applications and students from lower participation groups. If successfully matched to a Work Shadowing host, students will be invited to a compulsory induction event to prepare them for their experiences. 

Arranging the Experience

This scheme is intended to be student-led. Once you have attended an induction session, we will connect you with your Work Shadowing Host. It is then up to you to reach out and begin arranging the experience and agree on suitable dates. 

Please note: Work Shadowing is a short unpaid experiential learning experience which gives you the opportunity to observe a professional in the delivery of their role in a sector of interest to you. As such, you will not be in receipt of a salary for the time spent with an organisation. If your Work Shadowing experience is outside of Greater London, please check with your host if they are able to cover reasonable travel costs and expenses.

By participating in the Work Shadowing Scheme, you will:

• Gain a clearer understanding of different job roles and industries
• Observe professionals in action and learn what skills and experience are valued
• Expand your professional network and make valuable industry connections
• Strengthen your CV with real-world insights and experience
• Boost your confidence and commercial awareness
• Pick up useful tips to support future job applications and interviews

Work Shadowing experiences are exclusively available to first year undergraduate students at Imperial College London. We have chosen to be selective for this year group as we appreciate that it can be particularly difficult for first year students to network and gain professional insights. 

The Work Shadowing scheme also seeks to advance diversity and inclusion by encouraging the networking propensity of students from underrepresented groups. Whilst matching decisions will be based primarily on the strength of a students application, should the scheme become over-subscribed, priority will be given to students that meet the university's Outreach criteria.

If you are unsuccessful in being matched, we would encourage you to consider applying to the Alumni Mentoring Scheme in your second year. Alternatively, you can now access professional advice and career insights all year round from Imperial's vast graduate community via Ask an Alum. 

If you have any questions about the scheme, please contact workshadowing@imperial.ac.uk.