Types of careers in this pathway include: accounting, financial services, management, marketing, entrepreneurship, event planning and more!
Explore the opportunities listed below, when you find the career exploration event you'd like to attend, write down its name so it is handy when you fill out your application.
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Career exploration days offer a great introduction to specific career fields and allow you to explore a broad scope of careers within that industry, all in one shadow experience. Career Exploration Days are a great option for initial exploration of a specific career or industry. On average, shadows are typically two to four hours in duration.
Are you curious about careers in accounting or technology and how AI is changing the future of work? Sign up to attend this career exploration experience for students interested in accounting, cybersecurity, coding, networking, IT support, business analytics, and more. Tour the RSM office, explore how artificial intelligence is used in today’s workplace, and have candid conversations with professionals about their career journeys. Cap of 40.
If you are interested in a career in accounting, finance, or actuarial science, this job shadow is for you! Learn about careers at Transamerica from seasoned business professionals and recent college graduates. Cap of 25.
Explore the careers that keep a school district running. During this three-hour job shadow experience at the Cedar Rapids Community School District Educational Leadership & Support Center (ELSC), high school students will tour district facilities and hear directly from professionals working in technology, human resources, accounting, food & nutrition, buildings & grounds, and other operational departments. Students will gain insight into the many impactful careers in education that happen beyond the classroom, while learning how these teams support students, staff, and schools every day. Cap of 30.
Within every successful organization there are professionals who analyze and use data to inform decision makers, supply operational needs, and forecast future events. If you are interested in business analytics, data science, or database management, this experience is for you! Kirkwood’s Reporting Services team will discuss their individual roles and responsibilities as well as their path to their career. You’ll also learn about the tools they use to organize, clean and create visualizations for data insights. Held November 2026. Cap of 10.
Within every successful organization there are professionals who analyze and use data to inform strategy, decisions, and continual improvement. If you are interested in business analytics, business management, project management, data science, and/or research, this experience is for you! The Kirkwood Institutional Effectiveness team will discuss their individual roles and responsibilities as well as their path to their career. You’ll also learn about how they find meaning in data that is imperative for everyday organizational success. Cap of 10.
Students with an interest in information technology, marketing, human resources or operations can visit our corporate office in Cedar Rapids. Discussions with dispatchers, customer service representatives, recruiters and IT professionals will be included along with a tour of the facility. Cap of 10.
Lil’ Drug Store Products is the market leader for Health & Beauty Care products supplied to over 180,000 convenience stores, airport stores, and hotels in the U.S. Spend a day learning about career opportunities in sales, category management, marketing, operations and more! Join our team for a facility tour, lunch, and interactive discussions with key business leaders. Cap of 10.
If you are interested in Customer Service, Account Management, Financial Product Promotion, Risk & Compliance, and other bank-related careers, BankIowa will give you a chance to tour the office, observe various banking processes, and interact with employees across several areas of banking. Cap of 2.
The Jacobson Institute presents DesignDash, a one-day, fast paced entrepreneurial startup simulation. Participants work in teams to solve problems they face using entrepreneurial solutions that drive innovation forward. Entrepreneurs and local industry partners are onsite mentors. If you’re interested in problem-solving, developing solutions and starting your own business, this shadow is for you. Full day job shadow, lunch provided. Held November 2026.
Are you interested in becoming an entrepreneur or thinking of starting your own company? Don’t miss this opportunity to spend time with successful local entrepreneurs in the area and learn from the professionals. You’ll get to listen to a local company share about their business challenges and identify opportunities through a nation-wide and weekly program called 1 Million Cups. The goal of 1 Million Cups is to help entrepreneurs discover solutions and network, while providing a “supportive, inclusive space for them and their communicates to gather and connect.” Following the program, you’ll tour the facility and participate in a 1-hour roundtable with a local entrepreneur in Cedar Rapids. Cap of 20. Held on Wednesday, October 28, 2026 from 8:30 - 11:15 am.
If you are interested in business and/or starting your own company, join us on this great day. We will attend a One Million Cups meeting where entrepreneurs come together to share their business ideas and get support. You will meet real entrepreneurs and learn the good, the bad, the ugly and how they started their business.There will be a panel Q and A discussion. Knowing the questions and answers helps entrepreneurs be more successful raising money (venture capital), and growing their startups. February 24, 2027.
You will gain insight into the role of a Financial Representative and learn how professionals help clients achieve financial goals through personalized planning. Participants will observe client relationship building, financial planning strategies, retirement and investment solutions, and business development practices while exploring the entrepreneurial side of the financial services industry. This experience is ideal for students interested in finance, business, sales, or entrepreneurship. Cap of 10 students. Students must be at least 18 years old at the time of the job shadow.
Explore the fast-paced world of clinic operations and leadership with the UnityPoint Clinic leadership team. Students will gain insight into how clinic leaders manage daily operations, support care teams, analyze performance data, and lead strategic initiatives across multiple healthcare clinics. Leaders will discuss their educational backgrounds, career paths, and the important role non-clinical professionals play in delivering high-quality patient care. This experience is recommended for students interested in healthcare administration, business operations, analytics, project management, leadership, and organizational improvement. Cap of 10.
Do you dream of opening your own boutique, restaurant or small business? Spend a day behind the scenes with area entrepreneurs to see what it takes to keep a small business up and running! You'll get to witness a few types of business models, tour businesses, and meet with Main Street West Branch entrepreneurs to hear real life experiences and ask questions about owning a small business and e-commerce. Cap of 9.
Curious about project management as a career option? What does this job entail? Is it for you? The demand for project managers and project management skills is on the rise. Hear first-hand from a panel of local employers on ways you can prepare now for future success, and partake in a hands-on project management activity. In this unique job shadow, you will explore, learn, and connect with professionals in the field of project management and work with current Kirkwood project management students.
Explore all aspects of digital and creative marketing at Clickstop! A leader in e-commerce, you’ll be shown how they live out their core value: ‘Think Big and Make it Happen!’ every day through a unique team culture. Learn about careers in graphic design, videography/photography, SEM/PPC, email and social media marketing, and web development. Being exceptional at internet marketing is critical to the success of Clickstop’s brands. Held in late October. Cap of 20.
Interested in a career in marketing and working for an organization that gives back to the community? Through small group round table discussions, you will be able to hear about a typical day in the life of content creators, graphic designers, and digital marketing experts from local nonprofit organizations. Cap of 25.
Find out what it takes to become a licensed real estate agent and determine whether this career is right for you! Discover common practices to build a successful real estate business, attend a showing at a property, make a comparative market analysis, and speak with a mortgage officer/lender to learn how they work with real estate agents to help clients. Cap of 8.
Individual/small group shadows allow for a deeper dive into specific careers, shadowing a professional(s) in that field. These small group shadows are perfect for those who are more confident in their career interests and have had some initial exposure to that career. Job shadows may be individualized or include a handful of students, depending on demand. Pick from the below list of careers and the associated career descriptions.
Analyze financial information and prepare financial reports to determine or maintain records of assets, liabilities, profit and loss, tax liability or other financial activities within an organization.
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Combines the skills, technologies, applications and processes used by organizations to gain insight into their business based on data and statistics to drive business planning.
An entrepreneur is an individual who creates a new business, bearing most of the risks and enjoying most of the rewards. As a business owner you can spend almost half of your time dealing with administrative and non-revenue-generating tasks.
People with these jobs recruit, interview, train and support employees of an organization.
Plan, direct or coordinate marketing policies and programs such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Rent, buy or sell property for clients. Perform duties such as reviewing property listings, interview prospective clients, accompany clients to property site, discuss conditions of sale and draw up real estate contracts. Includes agents who represent buyer.
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers. Can include management of a retail location.
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