Provided by Career Services, Tarleton State University

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Provided by Career Services, Tarleton State
University
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• Your application will remain pending until you
  complete the following
• Review this slide show presentation,
• Receive at least a 80 or higher on the quiz
  after viewing the presentation, and
• Meet (briefly) face-to-face with career services
  staff to clarify details of your application.

Many quiz questions come from the videos inserted
in this presentation. Make sure to watch all
videos before taking the quiz! YOU WILL NEED
SOUND!
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• You will receive a student packet that includes
  information from the employer regarding dress
  code, parking, etc.
• At least one week prior to your Shadow, confirm
  with the employer that everything is correct in
  your Texan Shadow packet, specifically
• Date and time
• Address (clarify any driving directions you need)
• Parking (is it a garage? is there a fee? etc)

Many times, a third party at your mentors
workplace provided the information in your Texan
Shadow packet. Therefore, it is always best to
review all information provided from the company
with your mentor before the event.
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• Confirm with your mentor that the appropriate
  attire listed in your Texan Shadow packet is
  accurate.
• Pre-Plan what you will wear based on the info in
  your packet, and describe your attire to your
  mentor
• My paperwork said to wear business casual
  clothing. Im planning to wear black slacks and a
  long-sleeved, button-down shirt is that
  acceptable?
• Some companies have strict policies on tattoos,
  jewelry, piercings and attire. Clarify these with
  your mentor before the Shadow.
• Video Office Attire The Do Not Wear List

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• Arrange for your own transportation to the
  Shadow.
• TSU cannot provide transportation to your
  Shadow.
• Make certain that you have all necessary and
  required auto insurance, drivers license, and a
  dependable vehicle for the day.

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• Plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early the
  day of the Shadow.
• If you are not familiar with the area you are
  traveling to, print driving directions (Yahoo,
  Google, Mapquest, etc)
• Be mindful that online driving instructions (as
  listed above) do not take into consideration any
  construction, detours, and traffic that may slow
  your time.

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• Review the Potential Texan Shadow Mentor
  Questions sent to you via email and available on
  the Texan Shadow website.
• Plan on using this opportunity to learn about the
  job(s) you are shadowing!! Be prepared to ask
  some questions.
• Please do not just follow your mentor around
  closed-mouthed! Show interest in what is going
  on!!
• Video Check out Dianas story on asking
  questions for future goals.

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• The employer may ask for your contact information
  prior to the shadow so they will be prepared for
  you. The following is the only type of
  information we share with employers
• Name
• Classification
• Major/Minor
• Phone Number
• Email

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• By choosing to participate in Texan Shadow a
  voluntary program you are assuming any risks
  and / or liabilities associated with your shadow
  experience.
• Some placements carry greater risks than others,
  including those that regularly work with large
  pieces of equipment, machinery, animals, etc. If
  your chosen field involves such things, you may
  have opportunities to interact with these same
  pieces of equipment, machinery, animals, etc.
• It is your choice whether or not to assume this
  risk!!
• If you are uncomfortable performing a task
  requested by your mentor, communicate this to
  your mentor and DO NOT do something for which you
  are not prepared!

Tarleton State University and Career Services are
not responsible for any accidents or liabilities
that may occur during your Texan Shadow.
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The Shadow Day

• Introduce yourself to your mentor and shake her
  or his hand.
• Video Learn how!
• Ask your mentor for a business card (you will
  need this contact information later for a thank
  you letter).
• Video Business cards

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The Shadow Day

• Pay attention to things about the job that you
  like and dislike.
• Act interested (even if youre really not!)
• Please remember your mentor is volunteering to
  host you. DO NOT embarrass yourself or TSU by
  acting bored or ungrateful, even if you realize
  this job is not for you! Learn what you can, and
  use the information in making your career
  choices!

Making a positive impression may allow you to
build a relationship with your mentor, who can
potentially be a contact in the company for
information about internships, employment,
possibly a reference, etc.
Quick Tip for your career development
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The Shadow Day

• Dont forget to smile, relax, and ask
  questionsrefer to the Potential Texan Shadow
  Mentor Questions in your packet or online. Feel
  free to take it with you.
• TIP Pay attention to what your mentor talks
  aboutsometimes they may answer your questions
  before you ask them. Use that information to ask
  deeper, more technical questions.
• Employers provide Career Services feedback on
  their experience with Texan Shadow. Do you know
  what a large portion of employers wish students
  would do more of?

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The Shadow Day

• Leave your cell phone hidden in your vehicle.
• If you are waiting for an urgent phone call and
  you must take your phone with you, place your
  phone on vibrate or silent and EXPLAIN to your
  mentor why you have it with you.
• Absolutely no texting or phone calls while on the
  shadow (believe us we will hear about it!)
• Video Cell phones

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The Shadow Day

• Not Showing Up is NOT an option.
• Only in drastic circumstances should you cancel
  the day of the Shadow.
• If there is an emergency / illness and you and
  absolutely cannot make it, that is a part of life
  and is understandable. Here is what you need to
  do
• First Contact your mentor immediately. If
  you want to reschedule, you may do so at that
  time.
• Second Contact Career Services
• If you No Show, you will not be allowed to
  participate in the Texan Shadow program again.

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After the Shadow

• Send a Thank You note within 24 hours.
• Do this regardless of whether or not you enjoyed
  your shadow!
• Please remember again your mentor gave his or
  her time to host you with no compensation for
  that time. It is highly inappropriate NOT to say
  thank you for this gesture.
• Review samples provided by About.com by Yahoo
• Sample Thank You Note
• Do not copy word for word. Make it personal to
  your shadow experience as you want to leave a
  lasting positive impression.

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After the Shadow

• Complete the Texan Shadow survey emailed to you a
  few days after your scheduled Shadow event.
• Whether you had a fabulous experience or a
  horrible experience, Career Services values your
  feedback about your Texan Shadow and we need to
  know what parts were positive and negative for
  future considerations.

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• Career Services is NOT obligated to place you for
  a shadow.
• Your fit with the program is being evaluated
  from the moment you submit your application.
• CS will not risk damaging a relationship with an
  employer (which, in turn, negatively impacts your
  fellow students) by placing a student whose
  behavior causes concern.
• If you are placed but behave inappropriately, you
  will not be allowed to participate in the future.
  Unacceptable behavior includes (but is not
  limited to)

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Keep these things in mind

• Enjoy yourself! You will make a better impression
  and learn more if you relax and enjoy the
  opportunity. (We have yet to hear of a mean
  mentor!)
• Learn everything you can, from everyone you can.
  This is a rare opportunity to see things in
  action in your field, so soak it up! You can
  take a notebook and jot things down as you go.
• Make connections. Some students have obtained
  volunteer opportunities, internships, and even
  employment through their Shadow experience. It is
  up to you to put your best foot forward and
  connect in a positive way with people! Be
  pleasant. Ask for business cards and remember
  names. Plan to keep in touch after the shadow
  (you can do this through email, Linkedin.com,
  etc. Ask us if you have questions about doing
  this).

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Test Time

• You must receive at least an 80 or higher on
  this quiz BEFORE your application will be
  processed.
• You will check your score before submitting, and
  you have the option to re-take the quiz if you
  are unsatisfied with your score.
• Once you submit your quiz, we will verify the
  score and then contact you to arrange a
  face-to-face meeting (if you attend a campus
  other than Stephenville, we can make alternate
  arrangements).
• After the meeting, we will begin working on your
  application.
• Take the Quiz