Chelsea Rosasco is beginning her senior year as a Public Relations major within the College of Communication & Information. Before she graduates in 2019 with her Bachelor’s, she was able to take advantage of the FSUShadow program which connects students with employers, community partners, alumni, and friends of the university for one-day job shadowing opportunities to provide exposure to a wide variety of career fields and industries. You can apply through The Career Center website and get the answers to your most pressing questions including important dates and which companies are participating. The FSUShadow Winter Session 2018 dates are December 17, 18, and 19.
The applications open on October 15, 2018 on Handshake and close November 11, 2018.
If you are considering applying for this career-boosting opportunity, read our Q&A with Chelsea below to hear more about her experience shadowing members of the US Food and Drug Administration and what she believes the ideal candidate looks like:
How did you hear about FSUShadow and what got you interested in the opportunity?
I heard about FSUShadow through my College’s Career Liaison. FSUShadow seemed like the perfect opportunity to network with people who work in my desired field and give insight to what their work looks like day to day.
What was your biggest takeaway from the experience?
My biggest take away would be to go into the experience with an open mind and come prepared. No experience will be exactly how you picture it in your head–it will most likely be better. Also, I would make sure to do research and formulate questions before going to the shadow site. It is much easier to spark conversation and get more details about the job or company if you already have an idea of what you want to discuss.
What made you interested in touring the US Food and Drug Administration?
I thought the opportunity was incredibly unique. I am interested in potentially working in health policy. Understanding the inter-workings of how and why food and drug items go through an extensive vetting process gave me valuable insight to one of my fields of interest.
How likely are you to recommend FSU Shadow to other students? What does the ideal participant look like?
I think every student should try to complete an FSUShadow experience, so I recommend it as often as I can. An ideal participant would be one who is curious about their future career and is not afraid to experience new things. They should also be able to represent FSU in a professional and positive way.
What advice would you give to new students looking to enhance their overall FSU experience? What advice would YOU give to your freshman self?
I would tell any student, including my freshman self, to not let fear or nervousness stop you from applying for an internship, studying abroad, or whatever goal or experience you have your eyes on. If you don’t try, then you’ll miss out on what could be a life-changing opportunity.