About the program
The UC Davis Leadership Job Shadow program offers undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to gain insight into the university by spending a day with a campus executive. Participants may observe meetings, attend events, engage with staff and faculty, and learn about the university's day-to-day functions. Learn more about the selection process below.
Benefits for participating students include:
Learning about the structure of the university and its functions
Meeting a variety of campus administrators, staff and faculty
Gaining an appreciation for the multitude of issues that impact the university
Developing a greater familiarity with the UC Davis campus
Learning more about how leaders, staff and faculty have applied their own degrees and backgrounds in the work they do
The Leadership Job Shadow program is offered during the fall, winter and spring quarters.
Job shadow testimonials
“Chancellor May told me to find a great mentor and never stop looking for ways to advance my career.”
— Stephanie Jimenez, psychology major
(shadowed Chancellor Gary S. May fall 2022)
“The shadow program not only provided a much better understanding of the fields I am interested in but also fueled my curiosity.”
— Hailey Bello, managerial economics major
(shadowed Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Dana Topousis fall 2024)
“I loved just getting to be a fly on the wall and observing office dynamics and see plans be made in real time.”
— Maia Zhu, cognitive science and communication double major
(shadowed Athletic Director Rocko DeLuca winter 2025)
“It gave me a better insight into this field and what I may be expected to do in my future career.”
— Shayna Schreiber, communication major
(shadowed Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations Shaun Keister fall 2024)
“People in Undergraduate Education are simply amazing. If you are reading/seeing this post, don't hesitate and please apply!”
– Pat Fang, biological sciences major
(shadowed Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education Michael Bradford winter 2024)
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Program details
Participants should have an avid interest in learning about the university and its structure and be committed to sharing the information and experiences they obtain with other students throughout the university. This may be accomplished by speaking to a class or student group, writing a letter to the editor or using social media to discuss your experience.
This is a particularly promising opportunity for those students who may have an interest in exploring a career in higher education.
Students are selected through a competitive application and screening process. Applicants must commit to an entire day of “shadowing” a campus administrator and agree to complete an evaluation form and a plan for communicating and sharing with other students the insights gained from the experience. Students are assigned to administrators on a random basis and there are no guarantees that students will be paired with any specific administrators.
Interested students should think of their availability to participate in four-hour or eight-hour blocks.
Students agree to:
- Be punctual
- Wear business or business-casual attire
- Attend the entire day or scheduled time of activities
- Share their experiences with other students
If interested, please fill out the application.