Micro-shadowing scheme 2023

What is it?

Opportunities to learn new skills, enhance current skills, or see new ways of doing things are important for our both our professional development and how fulfilled we can feel in our roles and careers. Countless reports have highlighted that lack of development opportunities are a key reason for people looking for new roles or experiences beyond the sector they currently work in. Maia want to do something about this.

The Maia committee are launching a micro-shadowing scheme to give Maia members the opportunity to shadow/be shadowed (or both!) around particular tasks, skills or activities. We are looking for volunteers to host and volunteers to shadow for a one-off shadowing opportunity that will last from 2 hours to half a day.

How will the scheme work?

Hosts and/or Associates will each complete a short online form that asks for more information about the skills or tasks that they would be interested in shadowing or they could share as part of the scheme. The Maia team will then match colleagues with a prospective Host/Associate in February.

Our expectation is that, once in contact, you liaise directly with the colleague you have been matched with to agree an appropriate time to meet. Shadowing can take place in-person or virtually.

Although this scheme is offering a one-off shadowing opportunity, you may decide, by mutual agreement, to stay in contact with your Host or Associate.

What kind of skills or tasks could the scheme include?

As part of the application form, colleagues will be invited to outline the skills or tasks that they would like to shadow or offer to share, so we are open to almost anything! However, to give you some inspiration, examples of skills/tasks to shadow could include:

  • Raising purchase orders
  • Giving feedback on grant applications
  • Setting up a Microsoft Form
  • Chairing a meeting
  • Organising an event
  • Writing a committee paper or report
  • Network-building
  • Writing an abstract
  • Planning a teaching session
  • Taking effective notes (in meetings,
  • for your own use, etc.)
  • Undertaking module updates

Applications are now closed.

Contact maia.network@lboro.ac.uk with any queries