Imperial's Work Shadowing Scheme gives first-year undergraduate students the chance to observe professionals in action, ask questions, and experience the realities of a workplace. These short but rich opportunities help students gain valuable career insight while taking their first steps towards shaping their future.
By hosting, you can:
- Showcase your sector and organisation to motivated students.
- Inspire the next generation at the very start of their career journey.
- Connect with future talent who may go on to secure internships or graduate roles in your field.
- Gain fresh perspectives – students’ curiosity often sparks valuable conversations within teams.
- Make a social impact by widening access to professional environments and supporting diversity.
The Imperial Careers Service handles all student engagement, matching and inductions, so that hosting is straightforward, flexible, and rewarding. All Work Shadowing experiences are to be between 1-3 days over the spring vacation period. Find more information on hosting and planning an experience in the tabs below.
How to register
Host registration for Spring 2026 opens in January. Complete our Expression of Interest Form to be added to our contact list. If you have any questions about the scheme or would like to discuss becoming a host, please email workshadowing@imperial.ac.uk.
Work Shadowing tabs
Work shadowing is designed to be flexible and low-commitment, while still offering a rich experience for students. We are seeking applications from hosts in a range of employment sectors and different sized organisations as we have a diverse student population interested in a wide variety of careers.
1. Registration
Host registrations open in January each year. You will be asked to complete an online registration form which will provide information about your organisation, your role and or team as well as detail about the expected shadowing experience being offered. Your host registration form will then be used to create an anonymised profile as part of a Directory for Imperial first year undergraduate students to review and apply to. For guidance, please view our Work Shadowing Directory Example 2025.
2. Matching
Once all student applications have been received, the Work Shadowing team works to make as many positive matches as possible. Any student matched to you during this process will have expressed a strong interest and motivation in gaining an insight into your specific sector or occupational area, based on what they read on your profile.
3. Inductions
If successfully matched, you will be notified by the Work Shadowing team and sent some guidance on how to plan and prepare for your work shadowing day(s) as well as career topics and possible points of discussion whilst hosting the student. Matched students will be invited to a compulsory induction session run by the Careers Service.
4. Shadowing
Once all students have attended an induction session, we will make initial introductions via email to the student(s) matched to you. Unless you have stipulated specific dates already during the registration process, it will then be up to you and the student(s) to agree a mutually agreeable date and time for the experience to go ahead within the spring vacation window.
Practical notes:
- These are unpaid insight experiences, at no cost to the host.
- Hosts must have public liability insurance and provide a health & safety induction.
- If based outside Greater London, we ask that you cover reasonable student travel costs.
Work shadowing is an excellent opportunity for first-year undergraduate students to gain valuable insights into the workplace by observing a professional in their day-to-day role. As an employer considering hosting a student, you can provide a meaningful experience that offers a realistic understanding of the tasks, responsibilities, and environment associated with your job or industry.
Types of work shadowing
Observation – the student will spend an agreed amount of time observing your daily tasks including any suitable meetings. This is a great way for them to gain a broad understanding of your role. As the host, you will answer their questions and provide a debrief to ensure both parties benefit from the experience.
Sharing insights – providing the student with in-depth knowledge about your industry or job role. It may include activities such as networking, Q&A sessions with your team, attending company presentations, or receiving an overview of industry trends and practices.
Hands-on experience – in some cases, the student may have the opportunity to perform certain tasks or simulated activities under your supervision. This gives them practical exposure to your role, but it’s subject to your discretion and organisational requirements.
Work shadowing example structure (for one day)
09.00 Welcome and orientation
Meet with the student, provide an overview of your company and its mission, and outline the schedule for the day. Include a tour of the office or workplace.
10.00 First observation session
Allow the student to observe your morning tasks, such as meetings, client calls, or administrative work.
11.00 Q&A panel discussion
Use this time to answer the student’s questions about different roles in the business, daily responsibilities, and potential career paths.
12.00 Second observation session
Continue the observation, focusing on specific aspects of your work.
13.00 Lunch with host
Provide an informal opportunity to share career advice, discuss industry trends, and engage in a relaxed conversation with the student.
14.00 Simulated exercise or mini-project
Introduce a small, role-relevant exercise or project for the student to work on under your guidance. This could be reviewing a document, drafting a proposal, brainstorming ideas or applying practical skills.
16.00 Debrief and feedback
Reflect on the experience, discuss what the student learned, provide feedback on their participation, and answer any final questions.
Additional work shadowing activities
While a one-day work shadowing experience offers a valuable introduction, we recognise that a longer duration might be more appropriate for some roles or organisations. Our scheme recommends experiences of no more than three working days. Extending the duration allows for a broader and more comprehensive view of your industry and can accommodate additional enriching activities. Below, we’ve outlined some additional ideas to help you create a meaningful and tailored work shadowing experience:
- Rotating duties: Allow the student to observe or assist in different roles or departments to gain a broader understanding of the organisation.
- Employee interviews: Schedule short one-on-one interviews with team members to give the student insight into various career paths and roles.
- CV review and career advice: Provide feedback on the student’s CV and share tips for preparing for and building a successful career in your industry.
- Mock interviews: Conduct a simulated job interview to help the student develop confidence and understand expectations in the hiring process.
Work shadowing provides a unique opportunity to work with our students while helping to shape their early career plans. It will enable you to:
- Connect with some of the brightest young people studying STEMB (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Business) in the UK;
- Better understand the skill sets and trends of current undergraduate students;
- Support your diversity and corporate social responsibility initiatives by engaging with students from under-represented groups;
- Showcase your industry and available career paths;
- Develop your brand on campus and promote future opportunities;
- Use student insights to inform key incentives for graduate attraction;
- Build a relationship with Imperial College London.