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More sponsor FAQs

Q: What is the externship program?

A: Go back to welcome for basic info.

Q. What's the schedule to register and participate?

A: See right sidebar.

Q: 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:

• Brochure: Preparing for Your Extern Student (pdf format) (31KB)
• Externship Student Experiences (pdf format) (24 KB)

Q: How are students chosen?

A: 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.

Q: As an employer, do I select student(s)?

A: No. 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.

Q: Will students contact me directly?

A: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: When and how do I participate as an externship sponsor?

A: Sponsor registration is open from late summer through September for the upcoming January externship. Exact deadlines are noted on the right sidebar. During registration, complete and submit the online sponsor registration.

If you would like to be notified when Sponsor registration begins, complete the Sponsor Information Request Form.

Q: 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.