The IAC Career Discovery program aims to provide our students with a firsthand glimpse into the professional world and to help them gain valuable insights into various industries and career paths.
Our intention is to match students with hosts based on their industry interests, career competencies, and academic majors, ensuring a tailored and beneficial experience for both parties.
The program is an excellent opportunity for students to explore a career area to which they might otherwise not have exposure, gather advice, and build alumni and employer connections in their career area of interest.
Student and Host
Hosts
Hosting involves welcoming students into your workplace for a day of observation, allowing them to shadow your activities, ask questions, and gain insights into the daily operations and dynamics of your profession. Your participation would significantly contribute to the educational and professional growth of our students.
Why participate?
Hosting a student can be a fun and rewarding experience! You can advise, influence, and support students as they explore careers.
You’ll find that your career can be enhanced by the time and effort you put into helping a student as you hone your coaching skills and become familiar with the new generation entering the workforce.
Host Requirements
- Host your match(es) on-site for a half-day to a full-day experience
- Expose your student to potential career opportunities (via research, informational interviews, professional organizations, networks, etc.).
- Provide constructive feedback to enhance your student’s professionalism and preparedness.
- Share examples of success and failure from your own experience.
- Complete the host registration.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact hireivanallen@iac.gatech.edu for any further information or clarification.
Once students apply and are matched, you will be notified, and your student(s) will reach out to you. Please note specific matches are not guaranteed, though host preferences are considered during matching.
Students
Why participate?
Connecting with alumni will help to expand your knowledge and skills, give you valuable advice, and work to build and grow your career network. Your shadow host is an advocate who can teach you about career options and possibilities.
Student Requirements
- Once matched, you will attend an orientation session or watch the recording virtually.
- You will be responsible for reaching out to your host and coordinating when your full-day or half-day shadow experience takes place.
Student Expectations
- Students are expected to take initiative by arriving prepared, asking questions, and showing a genuine interest during their "shadow" visit.
- Demonstrate professionalism by being timely, expressing a willingness to learn, and following through on commitments.
- If you are matched, you will attend an orientation session and be expected to connect with your alumni host to schedule a shadowing day.