Professional Worksite Visits Guide
Help students visualize themselves in the computing workforce and broaden their understanding of real-world computing careers.
Downloadable Resources
Access sample communication templates and planning resources for organizing impactful site visits:
Sample Intro Email to Hosts
Student Reflection Questions
Planning Checklist
Host Confirmation Form
Purpose and Impact
Weekly worksite visits build professional identity, challenge stereotypes, and inspire confidence by exposing students to a broad range of computing careers and real-world work environments. These visits support the NCWIT Engagement Practices Framework, which emphasizes helping students see themselves in the field.
Organizing Worksite Visits
- • Identify local CS-related organizations willing to host a student cohort for a day
- • Prioritize companies that reflect diversity in their staff and culture
- • Discuss goals with hosts in advance: exposure, Q&A sessions, campus tours, job role overviews
- • Ensure visits occur weekly and align with student schedules
- • Provide students with expectations and reflection prompts ahead of each visit
During the Visit
- • Begin with a short welcome and company overview
- • Tour the campus, labs, or workspaces
- • Engage in a facilitated Q&A with professionals (especially those from underrepresented backgrounds)
- • Invite discussion around job roles, team structure, career paths, and workplace culture
Follow-Up and Reflection
After each visit, students should complete a brief reflection or debrief discussion to solidify learning and connections. Prompts can include questions such as: “What surprised you about today’s visit?” or “Did you see anyone who reminded you of yourself?”