work shadowing – Queen's Careers and Employability Blog

Employer Insight Visits (formerly Work Shadowing Week), give Queen’s students the opportunity to spend a day in participating organisations to get an insight into an organisation and sector and observe professionals in practice.

Employer Insight Visits will take place from Monday 30 March – Thursday 02 April 2026.

The objective of the visit is for you to gain important real life organisation insights into work and have the chance to engage in meaningful conversations and observations in a workplace setting.

The day itself will involve but not be limited to, a facilities/site tour, opportunity to ask questions of the team, to include lunch and observe some work in action. Transport is provided to the Employers premises.

Employers Taking Part in Employer Insight Visits 2026

ALMAC
ARUP
Baker McKenzie
Cooneen Group
Foot Anstey McKees
Funds Axis
Henry Brothers
Kukoon Rugs
McQuillan Companies
Oxford Instruments
PwC Ireland
RSM UK
SAM Aerospace
Sumer Accountants
The Keystone Group

Queen’s students can apply to take part in Employer Insight Visits via MyFuture where all these opportunities will be advertised until 06 March 2026.

Find out more about the programme and apply:
http://go.qub.ac.uk/employerinsightvisits

Remember – applications will close on 06 March 2026 so get applying!

This is what our students had to say about 2025’s Employer Insights Visits, (formerly Work Shadowing Week):

Kirstine Dela Torre, International Business with French Student at Queen’s University Belfast

“So grateful to have taken part in the Work Shadowing Week with Energia Group! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with open arms (and a goodie bag), and I got to spend the day with the Micro Energy – Renewables team.

It was eye-opening to see how much technical detail and teamwork goes into making renewable energy solutions work in real life. Energia Group’s commitment to making a difference was evident in every conversation.

A massive thank you to Careers, Employability and Skills at Queen’s University Belfast, Lynsey Foster and to wider Energia Group for making this experience so insightful and welcoming. As a student navigating the early stages of my career, this experience reminded me that the future of energy is bright – and it’s powered by people who care deeply about impact.”

Eoin Loughran, BSc Geography student, Queen’s University Belfast

“I had a fantastic experience attending a work shadowing day with Energia. A big thank you to the welcoming and knowledgeable team for sharing such valuable insights into the energy sector.

It was especially rewarding to see firsthand how EVs and solar panel technologies are being implemented in real-world projects, bridging the gap between the theoretical knowledge I’ve gained during my undergraduate studies and its practical application.

I’m very grateful to Careers Queen’s University Belfast and to Lynsey Foster for organising this opportunity.”

Nikita Jain, MSc Finance Student at Queen’s University Belfast

“I had the pleasure of attending a Work Shadowing Day at Sumer Northern Ireland, organised through Queen’s University Belfast. It was a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the firm’s operations and learn from such a welcoming and knowledgeable team.

A big thank you to Lynsey Foster for guiding us through this experience, to Careers Queen’s University Belfast for providing such a valuable opportunity and to Shannon Savage for walking us through the day. Grateful to everyone at Sumer NI for hosting us and making the day so engaging!”

Krupali Thakur, MSc Artificial Intelligence, Queen’s University Belfast

“Had a fantastic day at BT Group, an experience that truly brought the world of work to life!

From exploring BT’s rich legacy and its broad ecosystem, including Openreach, EE, and Plusnet to hands-on tech sessions, it was a day full of inspiration and learning.”

Hitesh Gidwani, MSc Finance, Queen’s University Belfast

“Had the amazing opportunity to shadow professionals at PwC Belfast as part of Queen’s Work Shadowing Week 2025!
I had the chance to explore PwC’s dynamic work culture, learn about account verification, auditing processes, and discover how their core values shape everyday operations.

A big thank you to Lynsey Foster for leading this initiative and to the Careers Queen’s University Belfast for making it possible, and a huge thank you to PwC and PwC Ireland especially Rachel Kelly for graciously hosting us.

The experience was packed with insightful conversations, a networking lunch with PwC professionals, and an exclusive office tour giving us a first-hand look into the day-to-day life at one of the Big Four.

Grateful for the exposure, inspiration, and connections made!”

Queen’s Master’s student Mohit Khandare visited Graham Construction as part of our Work Shadowing programme – an experience which eventually helped land him a graduate role as an Assistant Planner with the company. Here, he shares his story.

Every year the Careers, Employability and Skills team at Queen’s run a Work Shadowing Week 2023. The programme is an opportunity for students to get a taste of what it’s like to work in their target industry. Students spend a day shadowing professionals which helps bring a job to life and helping students to decide if a particular career is right for them. Observing professionals in the work place not only provides an early career insight, it also serves as a valuable networking platform – as Master’s student Mohit Khandare discovered when he visited Graham Construction during Work Shadowing Week.

‘I was impressed with the team’s commitment to quality

“I had the pleasure of visiting the GRAHAM Interior Fit-Out division working on the Belfast City Quays 3 site doing interior fit-out for Microsoft, B-Secur, and Aflac Northern Ireland and was thoroughly impressed with their project management and attention to detail.

“I was fascinated by the 360° view from the 12th floor, where one could see GRAHAM’s projects, which are either completed and running or in the completion phase. From partnering with global technology giants to household names in fashion, GRAHAM listens to its clients to deliver cost-effective outcomes, no matter how challenging the project may be. “I was particularly impressed with the team’s ability to creatively implement solutions that reduce cost, drive efficiency, and ensure timely delivery. Their commitment to quality and attention to detail was evident in every aspect of the interior fit-out projects I observed.

“Additionally, GRAHAM Group’s focus on structured growth and developing its interior fit-out scope indicates that they are constantly looking for ways to improve their operations and overcome any obstacles they may encounter. The visit also highlighted the importance of coordination and communication among the different trades to ensure a successful outcome.”

‘The team were happy to share their experiences and insights with me’

Having been impressed with the company, Mohit used the opportunity to make vital connections with the professionals he was shadowing. “During my visit, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the GRAHAM’s interior fit-out team and who took time out of their busy schedule to share valuable insights about the company, and on the division’s operations. They were knowledgeable and passionate about their work, and they were happy to share their experiences and insights with me. They also highlighted the importance of innovative design, value-added construction, and on-time completion, which

are all hallmarks of GRAHAM’s approach to project management. I learned a lot about the interior fit-out industry and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

“My visit to the GRAHAM was a truly enlightening experience and an excellent opportunity to learn about the complexities of construction projects and the skills required to manage them successfully.”

“Thanks to Careers, Employability and Skills at Queen’s for giving me the opportunity to learn and gain this wonderful experience under the shadow of elite construction industry professionals.”

Taking the next step

Armed with an insight into the company, it’s values and operations, Mohit was in an advantageous position when it came to applying for a job as Assistant Planner with the company.

“I am excited to begin my journey as an Assistant Planner at GRAHAM Group’s Interior Fit-Out Division, a company known for its exceptional attention to detail and high-quality solutions in the UK and Ireland.

“As I embark on this new chapter, I can’t help but reflect on the challenges I faced during my time at Queen’s.

“It was a pivotal part of my educational journey, providing me with a global perspective that I will carry forward throughout my career.

“However, it was not without its difficulties. Adapting to a new environment, overcoming language barriers, and navigating cultural differences were just a few of the obstacles I encountered. Through determination and resilience, I was able to overcome these challenges and thrive during those tough times.

“As I begin my new role at GRAHAM, I am eager to apply the skills and knowledge I gained during my time at Queen’s and contribute to the company’s success.

“Thanks to the team at Careers, Employability and Skills for their never ending support and motivation throughout the journey at Queen’s.

“As I take on my new responsibilities as an Assistant Planner, I am eager to learn and grow in this role. I am confident that with the support of the team at GRAHAM we will achieve great success together.”

Claudine Sutherland an Employer Engagement Consultant from Careers, Employability and Skills who runs Work Shadowing Week says: “Work Shadowing Week brings students and employers together in a meaningful way which can be so beneficial as Mohit’s story demonstrates. Mohit had a fantastic experiential day and it’s great news that he has now landed a role as an Assistant Planner as a result.”

Find out more about Work Shadowing Experience here.