How Does It Work?

There are several steps involved in participating in the program.

1. Extern Job Shadowing Program Orientation. As the program has undergone changes, all new and returning participants are required to attend a mandatory orientation session.  Participants who took part in the program in 2010 and/or 2011 DO NOT need to attend an orientation. Please contact the Extern office at extern@mail.careers.utoronto.ca for more details. Please refer to the complete program timeline.
   
   Orientation sessions are held in October/November for the February Program and February/March for the May program.  Sign-up for the Oct/Nov sessions will be available in mid-September via the Events Calendar on our website.
   
   
2. Registration and Pre-assessment.  After attending the orientation, students receive an e-mail with instructions on how to register for the program and indicate the career areas of their interest. The registration form will include a short pre-assessment regarding their career planning process.  Students who participated in Extern in 2010 and/or 2011 send an e-mail to extern@mail.careers.utoronto.ca indicating your interest in participating in the program.
   
   
3. Promotion to Hosts.  Career Centre staff contact potential hosts and secure placements.
   
   
4. Placement Application.  All placements are posted on the Career Centre website.  An email with directions on how to access the link to these postings will be sent to all registered participants. Program participants apply online for up to four placements of interest and submit an updated résumé.
   
   
5. Placement Decisions.  Applications are screened by a committee of Career Centre staff who determine which students are placed with the hosts based on the following criteria (in order):
   - Students who have articulated their interest and goals most effectively as it relates to the placement details provided
   - Students who have included a professional résumé.
   - Year of study (with priority given to upper year students)
   
   
6. Maximize Your Extern Job Shadowing Program Experience Seminar. All first time participants attend a seminar to assist them in their preparation for the placement.
   
   
7. Placement Period. The February program takes place during Reading Week (February 21-24, 2012) and the May program takes place during the week of May 1-4, 2012, after the last week of exams.
   
   
8. Reflection. Program participants will be asked to assess the outcomes of their participation in the program and submit written reflection or meet with a career counsellor.
   
   
9. Program Evaluation. Program participants will be asked to fill out an evaluation form.