Contacting your Sponsor
Immediately
- After you complete the application process, you will receive a letter in your inbox or via email if you're studying abroad.
- Your letter contains your Sponsor's email and phone number, as well as information on their current employment.
- Send your Sponsor the Shadowing Experience email. You can find it by logging into OptimalCoverLetter and finding it amongst a list of letters.
- Attach your resume. We strongly encourage you to build a Web portfolio and send that as a link to your employer. You can build these using OptimalPortfolio.
Before
- Converse with your Sponsor via email or phone to arrange a convenient day for you to come in.
- Remind your Sponsor to pick a day where they have interesting meetings, and gaps in the day where they can talk to you. Picking a day where they catch up to email wouldn't be interesting.
- Make sure you absolutely know their location, and how to get there.
During
- Look through this handout for sample questions you can ask during your day.
- Show initiative and don't be afraid to ask for a tour of facilities, to be introduced to other colleagues, etc.
After
- Send a hand-written, personalized thank you note.
- Write it on a nice card or a nice piece of stationery.
- Develop a plan for staying in touch with your Sponsor.
Researching
- Your Sponsor will expect you to know SOME facts, trends, themes that apply to his/her industry.
- Additionally, you should research the Sponsor's specific company.
- Remember that you are representing yourself and Brandeis as a whole - coming unprepared could be detrimental to you and to other students. On the other, appearing prepared could lead to great opportunities for you.
Find resources on
Hiatt's Career Research page.
