Externship Program
What is an Externship?
An externship is a chance to get an insider's view of a career field by shadowing a professional in their workplace for anywhere from a few hours to an entire day.
How can an Externship benefit you?
Who should do an Externship?
What do Externs do?
Student externs observe day-to-day activities of an organization and assist with a variety of projects or short-term activities such as:
- Conducting informational interviews with employers to gain a broad perspective of the company as well as insight into the career path followed by their host.
- Touring the facilities
- Attending meetings and/or orientations
- Observing and asking questions
How to apply:
When are Externships scheduled?
Fall Break - October 9, 2009
Thanksgiving Break - November 23-27, 2009
Semester Break - December 14, 2009-January 8, 2010
MLK, Jr. Birthday Observance - January 18, 2010
Lincoln's Birthday Observance - February 12, 2010
Spring Break - March 15-19, 2010
Externships can also be arranged around individual students' class schedules.
Informational Interviews
Informational Interviews are a great networking tool exposing you to different careers. In an informational interview, you can sit down with experienced professionals and speak candidly about whether you might be a good match for the career field. It is also a good chance to practice interviewing skills without the pressure of a job interview!
Interviews should last between 2-3 hours and will take place at the professional's place of employment. Please submit an online application and resume to Career Services. You will then be matched with professionals who you will contact directly to set up an interview time.
Informational interviews are to be taken as seriously as regular interviews. Do your homework and be prepared! It is a good idea to review your resume with the professional, so make sure you take an updated version with you. Think of questions you would like to ask and prepare yourself to answer some questions as well. Check out the Interview Section for assistance.
What Students are Saying about their Externship experience. . . .
"My externship was a great experience. It totally changed my career options and helped me focus on what direction I wanted to go. I received valuable advice from the employer and plan to apply for an internship next year."
"It helped me to make a decision about what major to pursue."
"I learned that I don't want to work in a clinical setting."
"This was a great experience! I am very interested in pursuing a career in Forensic Science and (the Externship) gave me an understanding of what a career in the field would be like."
"I would tell (students) to do an Externship because the experience you gain is very valuable and you can learn so much from someone that is already working in the field that you plan to go into."
"Students can see how well a field suits them by actually asking professional questions. The observing of the job is excellent and just might help them make a decision on what career to pursue."
"Very valuable, helpful, and well worth the time!"
Recent Externship Sites
- Atlantic Records
- ATI Physical Therapy
- Grant Thornton
- Leo Burnett Worldwide
- Indiana Symphony Orchestra
- Chicago Board of Trade
- St. Louis Rams
- American Cancer Society
- ESW Advertising
- Adler Planetarium
- Hyatt Regency
- Chicago Botanical Garden
- Cook County Public Defender Office
- NBC 5 Chicago
- Midwest Orthopedic Institute
- Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System
- Edward Jones
- Lincoln Library
- Creative Hospitality Associates, LLC
- Chicago History Museum
- Mercy Hospital
- Indianapolis Colts
- Chicago Park District
