Externship | Job Shadowing
More sponsor FAQs
Q 1: What is the externship program?
Q 2. What's the schedule to register and participate?
Q 3: What can I have students do during an externship?
A: You decide what's appropriate for your work environment. We ask that you conduct yourself as you would in a normal week, so the student gets a realistic look at what your career field entails.
Some options for externs include:
- Observing and asking questions
- Conducting informational interview with you and other personnel
- Attending meetings and other functions
- Touring the facilities
- Preparing reports, spreadsheets, etc.
- Editing or proofreading
- Assisting with research projects
- Performing general office tasks
- Working directly and/or observing interactions with clients and customers
- Others you may specify on the online sponsor registration.
More detailed information:
Q 4: How are students chosen?
A: For the formal program, students apply through Career Services by:
- Attending an information session about the program
- Completing an application (on which they indicate their top three externship choices)
- Submitting a resume
Career Services staff will review applications and assign students to an externship based on the student's interests and sponsor preferences.
For the informal program, students are taught how to appropriately and professional make direct contacts for opportuntities to job-shadow.
Q 5: As an employer, do I select student(s)?
A: Not for the formal program. However, you will be given the option to assist us in the decision. Although this does not reflect the process by which you make your own selections in hiring employees, for this externship program, Career Services staff will screen student applicants and make a selection based on the preferences (student major, etc.) you indicate on the sponsor online sponsor registration. We also provide sponsors the option to review students who have applied for your Externship positions and give feedback on preference. This does not guarantee that a sponsor will be matched with your top choice. If your schedule does not allow time for you to review students, rest assured knowing that we make every effort to make a match that will benefit both the student and the sponsor.
For the informal program, in which students are taught to make direct contact, the decision on how to respond to each student is entirely at your discretion.
Q 6: Will students contact me directly?
A: For the formal program, only after a student has been assigned to you as an extern will s/he be given your contact information. Students will not be given sponsor contact information during the application process.
For the informal program, students are taught how to make direct contact.
Q 7: Are there costs to participate?
A: No cost for sponsors. Students are responsible for all their expenses including transportation, lodging, meals, etc. For this reason, most students will prefer an externship location where they can reside with family or friends during the externship. However, if you are able to provide any form of housing assistance to students, you will be able to make reference to this on your application.
Q 8: When and how do I participate as an externship sponsor?
A: Sponsor registration for the May externship is open from mid-February through mid-March. Exact deadlines are noted on dates and deadlines. See sponsor registration informaton and instructions.
If you would like to be notified when Sponsor registration begins, complete the Sponsor Information Request Form.
Those who wish to offer job shadowing / externship experience for students outside the formal program are also invited to contact Julie Mills.
Q 9: Is there an advantage to registering early?
A: Yes and no. Students can view sponsors' opportunities that are submitted before the sponsor registration deadline. Therefore if you register early, students can see your opportunity earlier. However, students cannot apply for externships until the sponsor registration deadline has passed; so every sponsor's opportunity can be seen by students before the students apply.