The University of Miami UShadow program is an opportunity for students to develop career related knowledge, skills, and values from direct experience. The program provides UM students an opportunity to “shadow” an alumnus or employer of the University of Miami throughout a typical workday. The purpose is to help University of Miami students gain knowledge about a specific career field and work environment to assist them in their career development through on-site observation.

 During the experience, students visit and interact with their sponsor during one workday. This interaction can take many forms, including a full or half-day of shadowing, or a lunch meeting followed by a tour of their facilities. This experience can be structured in many ways and the goal is to provide an experience that offers a realistic understanding of a career field.

What are the benefits of the UShadow Program?

Students who participate in the UShadow program are able to gain “first-hand” knowledge at the workplace in a career of their choice, make valuable networking contacts and have the opportunity to see how classroom learning can be applied to real world situations. The program offers the students a chance to connect with their host and to investigate a potential career field through the observation and discussions with professionals, thus assisting students in their career development. By participating in the program, students will:

• Explore an industry of interest and gain a realistic expectation of specific professions
• Grasp a better understanding of what's involved in a particular career choice
• Help students in their career development by providing an opportunity to confirm or explore a career option they might wish to pursue after graduation. 

Click here to watch a video about the benefits of the UShadow experience and learn what other UM students thought of the program.   

Who is eligible to apply for the UShadow Program?

The UShadow program is open to all sophomores currently enrolled at the University of Miami. Students from all majors are encouraged to participate. Shadowing experiences will take place each spring semester of the academic year.

What does the UShadow Program involve?

UShadow is not an internship. It is a one day shadowing experience that serves as a “pre-internship” experience. Students will shadow alumni or employer hosts of the University of Miami and each experience varies on a host’s daily activities. Your UShadow experience might include some of the following:

• Informational interviews
• Discussion with various individuals and departments about their job respective job responsibilities and career paths
• Attending meetings
• Tours of the organization
• General observation of business proceedings 

How to participate in UShadow?

Please contact Samantha Gil at 305-284-1808 or sgil@miami.edu.

What are my responsibilities if I am selected?

If selected to participate in the UShadow program, attendance at a mandatory orientation session before your UShadow experience begins is required. During the orientation, we will go over the expectation and responsibilities of the program. If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Gil, Assistant Director of Experiential Initiatives.