Each winter break, Fairfield University’s Alumni Job Shadow program pairs career-driven students with alumni in various industries. Students make valuable connections and gain insight into alumni job roles and career fields.

The Alumni Job Shadow program first launched in 2011 in collaboration with the Alumni Association, the Office of Alumni Relations, and the Career Planning Center. The program is arguably one of the University’s most popular career-preparation events, offering current undergraduate students the opportunity to spend the day shadowing an alumna or alumnus who quite literally walked in their same shoes not long ago. Since its inception, Alumni Job Shadow has steadily grown, this year pairing 256 students with 132 industry professionals.
 
Traditionally, students spend a day with alumni professionals at the offices of such companies as WebMD, NBC Universal, Facebook, and other prestigious organizations. This year, however, Covid-19 restrictions moved the Alumni Job Shadow program to a virtual format, with alumni volunteers hosting groups of Stag undergrads in Zoom discussions about their industries, their career trajectories, and how their Fairfield experience equipped them for their professional endeavors.
 
Alumni Job Shadow 2021 boasted alumni at companies ranging from PwC and Mastercard Worldwide, to Facebook, A&E Television, Tesla, and even the U.S. Department of Commerce. Based on the information provided when registering for the Job Shadow experience, students were assigned to one of more than a hundred possible job shadow groups, with anywhere from one to five students in each session.
 
Sessions were held mostly during winter break, between January 4 and January 22, but thanks to the flexibility of the virtual format, some meetings are still occurring. “I think Fairfield adjusted very well in making this program virtual and still was able to offer a great opportunity during these challenging times,” said Meghann Maguire '21 of her experience.

Grace Mullane '22 said not only did she enjoy learning from her alumnus, she appreciated "hearing from someone who was once in the same position as me and who has a job that is a career goal for me. I loved hearing about my alum's Fairfield experience and what he did after."
 
“Job Shadow is such a rewarding program for all involved. Students learn about careers and make vital career connections, alumni and parents are excited to give back to current Stags,” said Deirdre Bennett, manager of employer development at the Career Planning Center. “We in the Career Center are so pleased when students land internships and jobs as a result of connections they made through the program.”
 
For more information about the Job Shadow Program, please visit jobshadow.fairfield.edu.