Opportunities

Field Shadowing Program

The Field Shadowing Program is designed primarily for first-year ILR students (freshmen and transfer students). It is a one-day shadowing program that provides an invaluable opportunity for participants to explore diverse ILR-related career fields, gain firsthand work exposure, and network with alumni/sponsors.

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Career Exploration Project

Career Exploration Project is designed specifically for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Opportunities typically last two to three weeks and are intended for participants to explore a particular industry to develop on-the-job experience through a short-term assignment with a project sponsor. 

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Learning Goals

EXPLORE Learning Goals: Engage with alumni or an organization invested in ILRies; Examine a potential career path; Participate in the workplace up close and personal; Learn to apply your academic courses in a practical work setting; Observe the day-to-day activities of a sponsor and organization; Reflect on the experience and how it relates to your career interests; Enhance your understanding of a particular organization or career field

Register

Links to registration forms are not available on this site.
They will be sent to you after you complete step 1 below.

You must complete the following steps to participate in the Field Shadowing Program (FSP) or Career Exploration Project (CEP):

  1. Attend one of the following Information Sessions 
    • Tuesday, September 10, 2024 @ 4:30pm (ET) | In-person
    • Tuesday, October 8, 2024 (ET) | virtual
  2. Register for the program(s) by November 1st through the online application (will be sent to you after attending sessions)
    • Once you register, you will be enrolled in a Canvas module for the EXPLORE program, where you can access detailed information about sponsors and available resources to help you get started.
    • You will also be asked to complete an interest survey and upload your current resume.​​​
  3. Attend the Lottery session to select your experience 
    • FSP- Tuesday, November 12th: 4:00pm - 6:30pm (ET)
    • CEP- Thursday, November 14th: 4:00pm- 6:30pm (ET)
    • Note: Please come ready with at least 3-5 top choices of opportunities to select from. A few things to consider:
      • Pay attention to whether experiences are in-person or remote. For in-person experiences, you must have your own housing in the area.  
      • We will be sending your lottery number with more information of how to review available opportunities. 
  4. Attend the Make the Most Session Tuesday, November 19th 
    • Note: This will be after you’ve selected an opportunity and your sponsor information will be shared post session. 

*Important deadlines will be covered at the required info session. Failure to comply with these deadlines may compromise your eligibility to participate in the program.

Selection Process

The Field Shadowing Program and Unpaid Career Exploration Projects use a lottery process for participants to select their opportunity. More details and information are shared after you complete the registration process. Sponsors who offer Unpaid Career Exploration Projects must ensure they meet the six federal guidelines set by the FLSA. Once you select a Field Shadowing Program or Unpaid Career Exploration Project in the lottery, you are expected to complete that opportunity. 

Independent Opportunities

Although OCS has attempted to expand our geographic base for available career exploration opportunities, we are not able to guarantee that we will have an existing opportunity in everyone’s preferred location. In these cases, it is possible to work with a career advisor in OCS to conduct an independent search. If you are interested in pursuing this option, please schedule an appointment with one of our advisors through Chatter. 

What if my plans change?

Students are expected to honor their Field Shadowing Program or Career Exploration Project commitments. Please determine your availability prior to selecting an opportunity on the lottery day. It would be valuable to speak with your family about the program prior to selecting an opportunity to verify plans for the dates allotted and if you will have access to transportation. 

If you are participating in Greek Life recruitment, please verify those dates and select opportunities that fit with your availability. If an unforeseeable circumstance impacts your participation, please notify your sponsor and our office immediately at ilrocsEXPLORE@cornell.edu.

Contact Us

Contact ilrocsEXPLORE@cornell.edu with questions.

If you are a potential sponsor, please go here to find more information.