The Extern Program enables students to explore different career options by allowing a firsthand glimpse into a field of interest.

By shadowing professionals in their workplace, students can begin to explore their interests and learn about various opportunities. From two days to two weeks during Winter or Spring Break, externs observe and talk with alumni sponsors and their colleagues.

Update: August 2020

We have made the difficult decision to suspend the Externship program, in its traditional form, for Winter Break 2021 (January). A decision about Spring Break 2021 (March) has not yet been made.

The Externship Program relies heavily on travel and in-person shadowing workplace experiences. As a result, there are too many unknown factors related to COVID-19 for us to move forward this coming Winter break. Planning for Winter Break Externships starts as early as the August before when we begin to confirm sponsors. Students then sign up in mid-October, we make matches in early November, and connections are made shortly thereafter. At this point we are not comfortable moving forward with this kind of in-person job shadowing opportunity until things come into better focus.

We do plan to consider organizing alternative virtual programming for Winter Break, and once we have made decisions on what that might look like, we may be reaching out to Extern sponsors to gauge interest in participating. In the meantime, please email Jennifer Barr with any questions or concerns.