Give Me 5
Student Application closes April 15th
What is Give Me 5?
Give Me 5 job shadow program provides an opportunity to observe professionals in action and help you gain a clearer understanding of potential career pathways.
Job shadows can occur in 5-hour blocks, or in multiple, shorter blocks, depending on schedules of employers and students. This year’s program is limited to in-person shadows, We expect to expand to virtual shadows in the future.
What are the Benefits of Participating in Give Me 5?
Real-world insight: Job shadowing offers a unique opportunity to observe professionals in action, helping students gain a clearer understanding of their desired career.
Networking: Students can build valuable connections with experienced professionals who can provide guidance, advice, and potentially even mentorship.
Inspiration: Students can discover if their chosen career path aligns with their expectations and passions, helping them make more informed decisions for their future.
Eligibility to Participate
- Enrollment: Students must be enrolled at Western Oregon University
- Academic Standing: Students must be in good academic standing
- Judicial Standing: Students must be in good judicial standing
Are you an employer looking for information on hosting a job shadow student? Visit our Job Shadow host page.
How can faculty and staff get involved?
Give Me 5 is always looking for more opportunities for students. If you have any contacts you think would be a great opportunity for students, please send them our way! Feel free to contact Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning Coordinator, with any questions or suggestions regarding businesses or agencies you would like to see a part of the program.
What is Give Me 5?
Give Me 5 job shadow program provides an opportunity for students to observe professionals in action and help them gain a clearer understanding of potential career pathways. Any industry can utilize this work-based learning model to help build a better future for our community. We ask for no money. Our “ask” is for your time to integrate a student into your business to spark a career passion. The “ask” is just 5 hours and can grow into a future new employee.
Job shadows can occur in 5-hour blocks, or in multiple, shorter blocks, depending on schedules of employers and students. This year’s program is limited to in-person shadows, We expect to expand to virtual shadows in the future.
What is the difference between WIN and Give Me 5?
WIN is a pilot work-based learning program for students and businesses of Polk and Marion Counties. However, we understand that it is not always possible to commit to hosting a summer intern. Therefore, Give Me 5, our new job shadowing program, offers a flexible alternative that still allows you to engage with emerging talent and contribute to student development. Designed to be shorter in duration and offered during the academic year, our Give Me 5 program is ideal for employers who would like to get involved, but are not yet ready to offer a full internship experience. While our summer internship program remains the flagship opportunity for deeper involvement, the job shadowing program provides a valuable way to stay connected, support student growth, and benefit from fresh perspectives on a schedule that works for you!
Benefits of Give Me 5
- Enhances company reputations
- Provides insights into potential employee fit
- Offers early training opportunities
- Fosters networking
- Acts as a working interview
- Allows companies to gauge a candidate’s readiness
Additional Details
Businesses participating in Give Me 5 allow students to explore a future career in the industry of their choice by spending 5 hours during the school year in a job shadow. Students will be matched with an organization in an industry of their choice.
We believe in taking the student out of the classroom and giving them a work-based learning experience. Therefore, the goal is to give students a dynamic, hands-on look at how businesses run from the front office to behind-the-scenes operations—offering a full-spectrum view of day-to-day industry life in multiple career areas. These are unpaid experiences.
Can your business help develop tomorrow’s employees by partnering with education?
If your answer is “YES,” then welcome to the WIN Give Me 5 program! We’re looking for businesses and industry professionals eager to build a relationship with Western Oregon University to grow and develop skilled workers.
Businesses face a serious shortage of skilled professionals, and hiring trained staff is becoming increasingly difficult. Why not help train your own future workforce? By dedicating just 5 hours, you can create a pathway for students to enter your industry while filling your talent pipeline.
If your business/organization is willing to Give Me 5 hours to shape the future workforce, contact Erin Lieuallen, Assistant Director.
TIMELINE & DATES
- March 30: Application opens
- April 15 (Week 3): Application closes
- April 16-20 (Weeks 3 & 4): Application Review & Matching
- April 21 (Week 4): Email Notifications
- April 27 – May 22 (Week 5-8): Job Shadow
- May 26-29 (Week 9): Review/Survey
Guiding Principles
Eight Principles of Good Practice, National Society for Experiential Education
Intention; Preparedness and Planning; Authenticity; Reflection; Orientation and Training; Monitoring and Continuous Improvement; Assessment and Evaluation; and Acknowledgment
Recognition
Integrating Academic and Career Development: strategies to scale experiential learning and reflection across the curriculum, Education Advisory Board, August 2016
University as Employer: Western Oregon University Community Internship Program (pg 40 – 41)
Typical Internship Components Also Exist on Campus: position within a functioning business; Reporting line to a professional with expertise in the field; Assignments target field-specific learning outcomes; Skills developed are transferable to other organizations or companies; and access to resources and facilities necessary for learning outcomes.
Clark, A. & Plummer, K. First-Generation Students: Making Internships Possible, National Association of Colleges and Employers Annual Conference, June 2016.
Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award (finalist), National Association of Colleges and Employers, June 2016
