The Office of Academic and Career Development offers a unique career shadowing experience targeted for first- and second-year students. The externship program is an opportunity to shadow a host in his or her place of business the Friday before Spring Break (March 8, 2013) or Tuesday during Fall Break (October 15, 2013).

This opportunity allows the extern to get an insider’s view of what types of skills, knowledge, and capabilities they will need to acquire or develop in order to be successful in a particular industry.

Externs shadow their host and are encouraged to attend meetings and presentations, observe how data is analyzed and how research is conducted, and perhaps even work on a short independent project. Many students are also introduced to other office staff members in order to get a structural conception of the organization.

In addition to career exploration, externs leave with otherwise unobtainable networking relationships and the acquaintance of potential future mentors.

Definition:

An externship is a voluntary experience in which you spend time observing and working with a professional in an occupational area within your field of interest.  More lengthy than a job shadow but less intensive than an internship, externships allow you to observe a professional's regular daily activities, experience a typical week on the job, conduct informational interviews, tour the facility, and potentially participate in office projects. Externships offer an excellent avenue for sampling a field of interest and understanding the work environment. This can aid you in refining career goals, gaining marketable experience, and developing professional connections. Each semester we will have openings available with approximately 50 different employers.

Externship Activities

In the past, students have experienced the following:

• Observing and asking questions
• Attending meetings
• Conducting informational interviews with employers in different roles
• Observing client interactions
• Touring facilities and observing an institution's chain of command
• Understanding office policies and procedures
• Learning about trends in the industry
• Meeting key players in an organization
• Processing major and career implications