Title: Provided by Career Services, Tarleton State University
1Provided by Career Services, Tarleton State
University
2- Your application will remain pending until you
complete the following - Review this slide show presentation,
- Receive at least a 80 or higher on the quiz
after viewing the presentation, and - Meet (briefly) face-to-face with career services
staff to clarify details of your application.
Many quiz questions come from the videos inserted
in this presentation. Make sure to watch all
videos before taking the quiz! YOU WILL NEED
SOUND!
3- You will receive a student packet that includes
information from the employer regarding dress
code, parking, etc. - At least one week prior to your Shadow, confirm
with the employer that everything is correct in
your Texan Shadow packet, specifically - Date and time
- Address (clarify any driving directions you need)
- Parking (is it a garage? is there a fee? etc)
Many times, a third party at your mentors
workplace provided the information in your Texan
Shadow packet. Therefore, it is always best to
review all information provided from the company
with your mentor before the event.
4- Confirm with your mentor that the appropriate
attire listed in your Texan Shadow packet is
accurate. - Pre-Plan what you will wear based on the info in
your packet, and describe your attire to your
mentor - My paperwork said to wear business casual
clothing. Im planning to wear black slacks and a
long-sleeved, button-down shirt is that
acceptable? - Some companies have strict policies on tattoos,
jewelry, piercings and attire. Clarify these with
your mentor before the Shadow. - Video Office Attire The Do Not Wear List
5- Arrange for your own transportation to the
Shadow. - TSU cannot provide transportation to your
Shadow. - Make certain that you have all necessary and
required auto insurance, drivers license, and a
dependable vehicle for the day.
6- Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early the
day of the Shadow. - If you are not familiar with the area you are
traveling to, print driving directions (Yahoo,
Google, Mapquest, etc) - Be mindful that online driving instructions (as
listed above) do not take into consideration any
construction, detours, and traffic that may slow
your time.
7- Review the Potential Texan Shadow Mentor
Questions sent to you via email and available on
the Texan Shadow website. - Plan on using this opportunity to learn about the
job(s) you are shadowing!! Be prepared to ask
some questions. - Please do not just follow your mentor around
closed-mouthed! Show interest in what is going
on!! - Video Check out Dianas story on asking
questions for future goals.
8- The employer may ask for your contact information
prior to the shadow so they will be prepared for
you. The following is the only type of
information we share with employers - Name
- Classification
- Major/Minor
- Phone Number
- Email
9- By choosing to participate in Texan Shadow a
voluntary program you are assuming any risks
and / or liabilities associated with your shadow
experience. - Some placements carry greater risks than others,
including those that regularly work with large
pieces of equipment, machinery, animals, etc. If
your chosen field involves such things, you may
have opportunities to interact with these same
pieces of equipment, machinery, animals, etc. - It is your choice whether or not to assume this
risk!! - If you are uncomfortable performing a task
requested by your mentor, communicate this to
your mentor and DO NOT do something for which you
are not prepared!
Tarleton State University and Career Services are
not responsible for any accidents or liabilities
that may occur during your Texan Shadow.
10The Shadow Day
- Introduce yourself to your mentor and shake her
or his hand. - Video Learn how!
- Ask your mentor for a business card (you will
need this contact information later for a thank
you letter). - Video Business cards
11The Shadow Day
- Pay attention to things about the job that you
like and dislike. - Act interested (even if youre really not!)
- Please remember your mentor is volunteering to
host you. DO NOT embarrass yourself or TSU by
acting bored or ungrateful, even if you realize
this job is not for you! Learn what you can, and
use the information in making your career
choices!
Making a positive impression may allow you to
build a relationship with your mentor, who can
potentially be a contact in the company for
information about internships, employment,
possibly a reference, etc.
Quick Tip for your career development
12The Shadow Day
- Dont forget to smile, relax, and ask
questionsrefer to the Potential Texan Shadow
Mentor Questions in your packet or online. Feel
free to take it with you. - TIP Pay attention to what your mentor talks
aboutsometimes they may answer your questions
before you ask them. Use that information to ask
deeper, more technical questions. - Employers provide Career Services feedback on
their experience with Texan Shadow. Do you know
what a large portion of employers wish students
would do more of?
13The Shadow Day
- Leave your cell phone hidden in your vehicle.
- If you are waiting for an urgent phone call and
you must take your phone with you, place your
phone on vibrate or silent and EXPLAIN to your
mentor why you have it with you. - Absolutely no texting or phone calls while on the
shadow (believe us we will hear about it!) - Video Cell phones
14The Shadow Day
- Not Showing Up is NOT an option.
- Only in drastic circumstances should you cancel
the day of the Shadow. - If there is an emergency / illness and you and
absolutely cannot make it, that is a part of life
and is understandable. Here is what you need to
do - First Contact your mentor immediately. If
you want to reschedule, you may do so at that
time. - Second Contact Career Services
- If you No Show, you will not be allowed to
participate in the Texan Shadow program again.
15After the Shadow
- Send a Thank You note within 24 hours.
- Do this regardless of whether or not you enjoyed
your shadow! - Please remember again your mentor gave his or
her time to host you with no compensation for
that time. It is highly inappropriate NOT to say
thank you for this gesture. - Review samples provided by About.com by Yahoo
- Sample Thank You Note
- Do not copy word for word. Make it personal to
your shadow experience as you want to leave a
lasting positive impression.
16After the Shadow
- Complete the Texan Shadow survey emailed to you a
few days after your scheduled Shadow event. - Whether you had a fabulous experience or a
horrible experience, Career Services values your
feedback about your Texan Shadow and we need to
know what parts were positive and negative for
future considerations.
17- Career Services is NOT obligated to place you for
a shadow. - Your fit with the program is being evaluated
from the moment you submit your application. - CS will not risk damaging a relationship with an
employer (which, in turn, negatively impacts your
fellow students) by placing a student whose
behavior causes concern. - If you are placed but behave inappropriately, you
will not be allowed to participate in the future.
Unacceptable behavior includes (but is not
limited to)
18Keep these things in mind
- Enjoy yourself! You will make a better impression
and learn more if you relax and enjoy the
opportunity. (We have yet to hear of a mean
mentor!) - Learn everything you can, from everyone you can.
This is a rare opportunity to see things in
action in your field, so soak it up! You can
take a notebook and jot things down as you go. - Make connections. Some students have obtained
volunteer opportunities, internships, and even
employment through their Shadow experience. It is
up to you to put your best foot forward and
connect in a positive way with people! Be
pleasant. Ask for business cards and remember
names. Plan to keep in touch after the shadow
(you can do this through email, Linkedin.com,
etc. Ask us if you have questions about doing
this).
19Test Time
- You must receive at least an 80 or higher on
this quiz BEFORE your application will be
processed. - You will check your score before submitting, and
you have the option to re-take the quiz if you
are unsatisfied with your score. - Once you submit your quiz, we will verify the
score and then contact you to arrange a
face-to-face meeting (if you attend a campus
other than Stephenville, we can make alternate
arrangements). - After the meeting, we will begin working on your
application. - Take the Quiz