BOBCATshadow program gives students on-the-job experience for a day
TXST’s BOBCATshadow program launched in summer 2023 as a way to give students a glimpse of what their potential careers could look like for a single day.
Texas State University’s BOBCATshadow program launched in summer 2023 as a way to give students a glimpse of what their potential careers could look like for a single day. With a variety of employers, community partners, alumni, and friends of TXST, students across several majors gain knowledge and skills to help determine if their chosen career path is the right fit, or to explore different industries, career fields, or employers they are curious about.
The program takes place throughout the year during the fall, summer, and winter. All current students are eligible to apply to participate in BOBCATshadow to gain firsthand experience and network with potential employers.
“This initiative was started because we recognized that many students either can’t or aren’t ready to complete internships because they often require them to commit to six weeks or even a couple of months, or they feel like they’re just not ready yet” said Jessica Alva, career experiences coordinator at TXST. “Since launching, over 200 students have participated in our BOBCATshadowing experiences so far. Many students who have participated in the past have shared that their experiences led to securing internships or full-time positions with the companies they shadowed.”
While the program prefers to pair students with alumni at companies, that doesn’t deter organizations from hosting students. It becomes a bonus because of a shared experience from attending TXST.
At the program’s inception, student applications required submitting a resume. That changed due to program leaders wanting to encourage freshmen to apply for early major and career exploration.
“We didn’t want students to feel like this was an additional barrier if they didn’t have any previous experience,” she said. “We changed it to a short essay submission explaining why the student wants to participate and what they hope to gain from shadowing a professional.”
Kendall McFarland, a junior psychology major, participated with the Comal County Adult Probation Office.
Before students participate in a BOBCATshadow Day, they must attend an orientation typically one week before their shadow session. During the orientation, students are encouraged to follow up with the employer to thank them for the opportunity and to keep in touch.
“I want students to get that exploration so they can understand from early on if what they’re pursuing is the right fit and to get the career exploration that they need,” she said. “I think back to my days as a student at TXST, and I couldn’t do an internship because of several barriers. If this existed when I was in college, I would’ve definitely taken advantage of it to get that early experience and confidence I needed.”
Kendall McFarland, a junior psychology major, participated with the Comal County Adult Probation Office.
“The experience was eye-opening in many ways,” McFarland said. “I was astonished by the number of alumni working there. We observed probation officers in court hearings, attended staff meetings, and even saw firsthand how officers interact with probationers. While I was already considering a career in community corrections, this experience was solidified it as a clear goal for me after graduation.”
Jake Padilla, a junior business management and administration major, participated with Capitol Aggregates.
Jake Padilla, a junior business management and administration major, participated with Capitol Aggregates.
“Mike Watson at Capitol Aggregates provided invaluable insights not only into the manufacturing process of cement and aggregates, but also into the critical role quality control management plays in ensuring the reliability of the entire supply chain,” Padilla said. “I got to see how attention to detail is essential not just in the raw materials, but in the finished products and resources that are used throughout the entire manufacturing process.”
Samvabi Lamichhane, a senior computer science major, participated with Apex Fintech Solutions.
“Shadowing the Apex team was a highly valuable experience,” Lamichhane said. “Watching the agile development process unfold in real time was an incredible learning experience. It gave me a clear understanding of how team collaborate effectively and deliver solutions in such a fast-paced environment.”
Samvabi Lamichhane (left), Briana Howard, Isabella Godinho, Michael Nguyen, Angeline Lum, and Amy Swart partipated with Apex Fintech Solutions.
