Project CLOSE-UP

A Career Exploration Program for First-year Students
  
Shadowing a professional in the workplace is one of the best ways to learn what a job is really like - from the inside.

Project CLOSE-UP, a career shadowing program, targets first-year students (freshmen) for a unique opportunity to gain exposure to jobs and workplaces with volunteer alumni Career Connections mentors.

During Project CLOSE-UP you will have the chance to spend a day with an alumnus of LVC at their place of work. Your day could include a tour of the organization, talks with various people who work there, and observations of a typical day's duties, meetings, or programs. This is the time for asking all the questions that some people wish they had asked before they were hired.

• To complement and strengthen the advising of undecided majors and other students in need of career exploration activities.
• To provide identified students with an opportunity to gain exposure to a specific job and career field through a day of observation with an alumni mentor of the Career Connections program.

• Students will work with the Career Services Office to identify a Career Connections mentor to shadow and will complete a minimum of a 1/2 day (most assignments will be a full work day) at their work site. 
• Students will attend a pre-shadowing preparation seminar prior to the day(s) of shadowing. The seminar will included assistance with:
  
        -  Making the initial contact with the mentor and arranging a schedule for the site visit.
        -  Conducting informational interviews. 
        -  Completing a SkillScan Professional Profile.
        -  Presenting oneself professionally in the workplace and learning follow-up guidelines for after the visit.
  
• Students will prepare a 1-3 page reflection summary of their shadowing experience and participate in a celebration reception at the conclusion of the program.
• Requirements. This program is open to first-year students (freshmen); strongly recommended for open/undeclared majors. Minimum GPA for participation is 2.5/4.0. Students will be expected to arrange and be responsible for their own transportation

How to Apply

• Submit the requested written application expressing your interest in participating in Project CLOSE-UP. Identify three potential alumni mentors you would be interested in shadowing from the Career Connections database. Schedule an interview with Career Services and Alumni Programs staff.
• Students will be notified of their acceptance status. Career Services personnel will make the initial contact with prospective mentors identified by the student applicants to inquire of their availability. Students will be informed of the location for their shadowing experience and the Career Connections mentor with whom they are paired.
• Students have the option of completing the day of shadowing in either the Spring semester of their freshman year or the Fall semester of their sophomore year. Please review the Important Dates section below for application deadlines, pre-shadowing workshop dates and other information associated with each option.

Important Dates

• Spring 2012 Shadowing                        
  Application deadline: November 11, 2011                     
  Applicant interviews: November-December 2011
  Notification of acceptance: by early January 2012         
  Pre-shadowing workshop: Saturday, January 21, 2012
  Shadowing Days: February 1-April 1, 2012                  
  Reflection papers due: April 12, 2012 
  
• Fall 2012 Shadowing
  Application deadline:  March 1, 2012                           
  Applicant interviews: March-April 2012
  Notification of acceptance: early summer 2012             
  Pre-shadowing workshop: Saturday, September 8, 2012
  Shadowing Days: September 17-November 4, 2012    
  Reflection papers due: November 18, 2012