Employer Engagement

The Job Shadow Program takes place during the student’s winter break to avoid conflicts with NCC classes. These dates for 2026 are as follows:

• Monday, January 12th, 2026
• Tuesday, January 13th, 2026
• Wednesday, January 14th, 2026
• Thursday, January 15th, 2026
• Friday, January 16th, 2026

All job shadow experiences are scheduled on weekdays during daytime hours. You can choose to host students for either a half day (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM or 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM) or a full day (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM). If these times do not work for your organization, please reach out to Jacqui at jstackhouse@northampton.edu to discuss other options.

As the host, you are expected to coordinate with your company staff to participate in the day, create an agenda to share with students, and communicate with NCC staff and students leading up to and during the shadow day. We ask that you keep track of student attendance during the shadow day and report back to NCC by the designated deadline, using the form that will be provided.

NCC can distribute any required employer-specific documents such as medical clearances or confidentiality agreements, to students in advance of their shadow day. However, it is the employer’s responsibility to collect all competed forms directly from the students.

We recommend involving a variety of team members to create a well-rounded job shadow experience. This can include employees in specific job roles related to the student’s interests, a representative from your human resources team to discuss potential career pathways, and, when possible, a brief interaction with senior leadership. A designated coordinator should oversee scheduling and communication with NCC and the students. Including individuals from different departments allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of your organization, while also giving your team the opportunity to mentor and engage with future talent.

You have the flexibility to design the job shadow day in a way that best fits your company’s culture, operations, and availability. Whether it’s a half-day or full-day experience, you choose the schedule, activities, and team members involved to ensure students gain valuable insights. Students will follow the agenda you provide and can participate in a variety of activities designed to give them meaningful insight into your industry and workplace culture. The agenda could include a facility tour, attending meetings, informational interviews with staff, observing work functions, and providing opportunities for students to ask questions.

Students will be able to apply for the program and choose their employer hosts between October 6th - October 31st, 2025. Employers will be notified of their matches to their company during the week of November 24th, 2025. Once you have received your students’ contact information, you will be expected to communicate directly with the students leading up to the shadow day to confirm details, the agenda, attire, and address any questions about the day such as arrival location and lunch expectations.

Students select their job shadow preferences during the registration process. Our career development team reads their submitted essays and looks closely at their academic majors and career interests to make thoughtful placements. We aim to match students with their top selections whenever possible.

Students will not be expected to travel in the event NCC closes due to inclement weather. The Career Services office will notify employers and students of any cancellations. We can assist you in rescheduling the job shadow later in the week, if the company and the students are both available and interested.