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Hosting a TribeShadow as an Employer

What is an Externship?

An externship is a brief (typically one day) job shadowing opportunity. During these experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of the field that they are considering, learn about an organization’s culture and build a strong professional network.

TribeShadow Program

The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement facilitates the TribeShadow externship program over the fall and winter breaks. Opportunities are typically posted in TribeCareers in August for fall break experiences and in October for winter break experiences. Students from any class year and any industry interest can benefit from participating in TribeShadow externships! The Office of Career Development & Professional Engagement can also help students set up their own externship experiences.

Information for Hosts

  • Although no two shadowing experiences look exactly alike, we encourage hosts to design activities that will introduce students to the organization and foster professional growth. Sample activities include:
    • Introduction/presentation on organization/company, departments and internship/entry-level opportunities
    • Demonstration of technology that is used in the office/industry
    • Roundtable discussions with professionals from various departments within the organization or short informational interviews with a variety of employees at the organization
    • Presentation from or meeting with CEO or other top-level leadership
    • Participating in a meeting/client interaction
    • Assisting in a project or case study for a client
    • Discussing professional development
    • Resume or cover letter review/mock interview
  • If you’re interested in hosting a student and aren’t sure what activities you would have them participate in, we’re more than happy to discuss options with you.
  • After the application deadline, hosts will receive a packet of application materials to review. Hosts are responsible for reviewing applicant information and selecting a student or students. When a student is selected, the host will extend an offer, share important information about the experience and review necessary action steps with the student. Our office will notify students who are not selected.
  • We also have an employer resource guide with information such as how to post a TribeShadow opportunity.

Please contact Lisa Randolph at lrandolph@wm.edu if you are interested in being a host for the William & Mary TribeShadow program!

TribeShadow Timeline & Deadlines

Frequently asked questions about tribeshadow
Fall TribeShadow Dates
Winter TribeShadow Dates
Deadline to post on TribeCareers 8/29/2025
10/1/2025
Deadline for students to apply 9/12/2025
10/22/2025
Applications sent to host sites
9/15/2025
10/24/2025
Host sites review application materials
9/15 – 9/26/2025
10/24 – 11/11/2025
Student selection(s) due to William & Mary 9/26/2025 11/12/2025
Participation period
10/9 - 10/10/2025
12/15/2025- 1/19/2026
Evaluations due
10/24/2025
Jan/Feb 2026
Frequently asked questions about hosting tribeshadow externships

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the workload for a host?

A: Hosts are responsible for posting their opportunity, reviewing applications, contacting selected students and informing our office of final decisions. You will coordinate the experience date and time with the student(s). While we offer sample activities, you're free to design the experience to suit your organization. After hosting, we ask for a brief evaluation to help us improve the program.

Q: How many students should I host?

A: You are welcome to offer your opportunity to as many students as is feasible for your organization. Some organizations offer the experience to multiple students on the same day, others host multiple students over different days, and some host one student for one day or over several days.

Q: How does the selection process work?

A: You will receive an applicant packet after the student application deadline. Because we have specific requirements for candidates, such as attending or watching an information session and being a current undergraduate student, you will receive an email from our office letting you know which applicants are eligible to be considered. You will review the applications and reach out to the student(s) you’d like to offer an opportunity to, prior to the deadline to notify our office. This provides you with the opportunity to offer your experience to another student if your original selection declines. Our office will notify the students who are not selected for your experience.

TribeShadow Site Host Testimonial

“Both students were an absolute pleasure to host. Their presence not only brought fresh perspectives but also reinforced the value of the W&M TribeShadow program as a mutually beneficial experience for all involved. Their enthusiasm and engagement have inspired us to continue participating in this program. We hope they enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed having them!” – Previous TribeShadow host

Questions?

If you have any questions or would like to participate as a host, please contact Lisa Randolph at 757-221-3230 or lrandolph@wm.edu.