Student Externship FAQs
WHAT IS THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
The Lafayette College Alumni Association and Career Services established the Externship program in 1981 to help students make better-informed career decisions. Students are given the opportunity to “shadow” an alumnus, parent or friend of Lafayette throughout a typical workday. You may become involved with projects, attend meetings, or meet with other members of the organization. Most importantly, you can have your questions answered by someone with experience in a field you are considering as a possible career.
WHEN DO THE EXTERNSHIPS TAKE PLACE?
All externships are scheduled during the weeks of January 5th, 12th, and 19th. Hosts specify which weeks they are available and the number of days the externship will last.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
The Externship Program is open to students of all class years and majors. Some hosts may restrict their externships to certain majors or years, this will be noted in the externship description in the booklet.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
The benefits that you receive from being a student extern are invaluable. In addition to helping you consider career choices, you will gain opportunities for “INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEWING” and “NETWORKING”. Many externship hosts have helped students find internships and jobs.
HOW WILL I GET TO AND FROM MY EXTERNSHIP?
You are responsible for all travel expenses, meals and housing connected with the externship. In some cases, extern hosts provide housing. If your ability to cover travel costs is restricted, you may apply for financial assistance through grants provided by the Alumni Association. These grants help cover a portion of your traveling and housing expenses. Applications for financial assistance will be distributed during the Orientation Meeting after you have been matched with a host.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR AN EXTERNSHIP?
Carefully read ALL externship descriptions in the booklet. They are arranged by occupational group. Don’t limit yourself to one category, because you may find something interesting in another. For example, if you are an engineering student, don’t only look under “Engineering” because you may find an externship in “Finance” or “Public Service” that intrigues you. The major of each externship host is listed, so you can see the wide variety of career paths that exist for each major.
Select your 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th choices and write their numbers on the application form. You may list additional choices if you like. On a separate sheet, you must type a BRIEF (500 word) essay stating why you should be selected for an externship and how you feel it will help you in your personal career exploration process. You must also submit two copies of your resume, one of which will be forwarded to your host.
Submit your application, essay and two copies of your resume to Career Services on or before FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27th. You must have all three items. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE. In some cases, an interview will be necessary during the matching process. We will contact you for an interview if necessary. Interviews will occur the week of November 10th.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
By November 17th, you will receive a letter in your campus box indicating whether or not you have been matched with an externship. Please note that we do our best to give you one of your top
four choices. After receiving an externship, you are required to attend one of the Orientation Meetings held on THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20th and FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21st. At this session, you will receive the name of and contact information for your host as well as important information about how to proceed through the next steps of the externship.
WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?
Contact Rachel Moeller in Career Services at moellerr@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5115 with any questions about the program.
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