FSU Shadow Student Information

Future FSU Shadow Dates:

FSU Shadow occurs during academic breaks, with approximately ten (10) preset dates throughout the academic year: six (6) in the Summer, three (3) in Spring and one (1) in the Fall/Winter. All FSU Shadow program days occur during academic breaks so not to interfere with the academic calendar. Current upcoming dates include: 

• Summer (August) 2026 Session Dates: August 4-6
• Fall 2026 Session Date: December 14
• Spring 2027 Session Dates: March 16-18

The FSU Shadow experience varies depending on the organization you are visiting but here are some examples of what your experience could include:

• Conduct informational interviews with a variety of employees
• Participate in a guided tour of the facility
• Attend meetings or organizational events
• Observe and ask questions while shadowing daily tasks
• Participate during interactions with clients
• Meet and greet college hires or current interns
• Lunch with FSU Alumni
• Learn about career/internship opportunities within the organization

Each semester there is a different list of participating FSU Shadow Hosts, but there is always broad representation across job functions and industries ranging from technology to human resources to consulting to healthcare to government...and more!

All FSU Shadow opportunities will be viewable in NoleNetwork when the application window for each session opens. 

A great way to get an idea of previous FSU Shadow Hosts is to search #fsushadow on LinkedIn!

Application Materials:

In order to apply for FSU Shadow opportunities you must have an updated resume uploaded in NoleNetwork. To upload your resume to NoleNetwork, log in with your FSU ID and password. Complete your Profile and upload your resume through the Documents tab.

It is highly recommended that you have your resume reviewed by The Career Center prior to you uploading it. 

Schedule a Career Advising Appointment

Application Tips

• Apply for as many shadowing positions as you are interested in. Explore familiar careers or new careers if you are open! 
• Each experience is offered on up to 3 days, but you can only participate in each experience once. So apply for all the available dates if you are interested.  
• Be careful to review locations. Students are responsible for travel and accommodations for FSU Shadow so we recommend applying to an experience if you believe you will be able to fund your own travel. Students are also encouraged to apply for experiences in their home towns, if there are options available. 
• FSU Shadow reviews applications based on resumes, so we encourage students to use an "Objective" on their resume to clarify their interest in the position.  

Apply on NoleNetwork
Review our Information Session Slides

Next Steps

1. If you are selected for an FSU Shadow opportunity, you will be notified via NoleNetwork and email of your matched FSU Shadow opportunity.
2. Matched students will have one week to accept or decline their FSU Shadow experience(s).
3. Students who accept a match are required to submit a commitment contract to finalize the match. 
4. All FSU Shadow Student Participants must complete a mandatory orientation, then sign privacy disclosures and liability waivers. 
5. FSU Shadow Hosts will then email their matched Student Participant(s) the relevant details, and it is the Student Participant's responsibility to confirm the details and confirm the day with their FSU Shadow Host. 

MANDATORY Orientation for Selected FSU Shadow Student Participants

All FSU Shadow Student Participants must complete a mandatory orientation prior to their FSU Shadow experience. For each session, students will be required to complete a virtual, online orientation available through Canvas. Once the orientation and related quiz are completed, students will have met the orientation requirement. 

• During the FSU Shadow Program session, Student Participants will report directly to their designated FSU Shadow Host organization location. Student Participants are responsible for their travel costs to and from their FSU Shadow Host location. Student Participants will not earn academic credit or monetary compensation for participation in FSU Shadow.
• FSU Shadow Student Participants agree to uphold the FSU Student Conduct Code during their experience. 
• As a recipient of Federal financial assistance for education activities, FSU is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities are free from discrimination on the basis of sex. Sexual discrimination includes sexual misconduct (sexual violence, stalking, intimate partner violence, gender based animosity and gender based stereotyping). If you have questions about Title IX or wish to file a Title IX complaint, please visit the FSU Title IX website. Please note that as Responsible Employees, all faculty are required to report any incidents of sexual misconduct to the Title IX Office. For information about the confidential on-campus Victim Advocate Program, please visit their website or call 24/7 (850) 644-7161.
• FSU Shadow Hosts agree to read the disclaimers and privacy provisions as outlined on The Career Center website.

After each FSU Shadow program session, both the FSU Shadow Student Participant and Host will evaluate their experience with the FSU Shadow program. Each Student Participant will receive an emailed survey within 3-4 business days after the FSU Shadow session concludes.

The FSU Shadow Student Participant will evaluate the following:

• Overall experience with FSU Shadow Hosts
• Satisfactory level of information learned towards making an informed career decision
• Communication of the FSU Shadow Program
• Areas for feedback and improvement

What kinds of industries participate?

• All Industries are welcome to participate.

Is there a cost?

• There is no cost to participate, however Student Participants are responsible for their own transportation (and lodging if applicable) to the location, parking, and lunch of the FSU Shadow Host Site.

Do I get paid?

• FSU Shadow Student Participants will not be paid or receive academic credit.

How many FSU Shadow opportunities can I apply for?

• Students are encouraged to apply for the FSU Shadow opportunities they are truly interested and able to participate in.

What if I don’t get selected to participate?

• Due to the popularity of organizations and the opportunity to participate in FSU Shadow, sometimes an FSU Shadow Applicant will not be matched. In the event that this occurs, the FSU Shadow Program Manager will send information to the student with other opportunities and ways to gain experience through job shadowing.

How do I prepare for the day?

• Your FSU Shadow Host should contact you about day-of details. If you have not heard from your Host prior to the week before your shadow experience, please email FSUshadow@fsu.edu
• Research the organization and the person you are shadowing.
• Come up with informational interview questions. You can find help with this through our Job Shadowing and Informational Interview Guide.
• Have your day of clothing ready to go. Be sure to reference the FSU Shadow opportunity for dress code requirements of your FSU Shadow Host’s organization.

What if I have to cancel my FSU Shadow experience?

• By applying to any FSU Shadow opportunity, you are committing to the FSU Shadow Experience. Because Student Participants apply a month in advance, you should be able to follow-through on this commitment.
• If an FSU Shadow Student Participant is unable to follow through on their commitment to attending their FSU Shadow experience for any reason, the FSU Shadow Student Participant MUST notify FSU Shadow Program Managers within 2 business days of their shadow experience. Except in the case of extenuating circumstances (such as natural disasters), cancelling after this window will prohibit student participation in future FSU Shadow Program sessions. Students who cancel after this date will also be required to send an apology letter to their FSU Shadow Host.