FAQ
What is an externship: *Externships vary in length, but usually last three to five days. They generally involve a student shadowing a professional through a normal day's activities and may include informational interviews, a tour of the facility, and participation in actual office projects, etc.
What is the difference between an internship and an externship: *Externships are short-term, offer no pay (though *some* transportation funding is available through the CDO), and are hosted by alumni volunteers in various organizations to help students gain an insider's view of a career field. Internships are longer term (a semester or summer), may involve pay and academic credit, and support an organizations work function.
Why does a student do an externship: *An externship is an excellent way for students to learn about the day-to-day work life of a professional in a career field of your choice. It offers students the chance to "test" a career without the risk of long- term commitment and can help them get their foot in the door for a competitive internship program or job.
How does this program work...
...for alumni: Alumni fill out the online interest form. The CDO will contact you about your interest. Should students preference your placement, the CDO will match one student with your externship experience. You should receive information about the student (e.g., name, resume, class year) by late February/early March. The student will stay with you for the 3-5 day period during the College's spring break (March 16-30, 2013) that you indicated in your online interest form. Read further on The Role of the Alumni Mentor to learn ways to engage the student during their job shadow with you. You will fill out a final evaluation of the student and the externship program and send it to the CDO at the end of the externship.
...for students: Students apply for the externship program, preferencing their top 3 externship placements. CDO matches first and second year students with alumni mentors/externship placements. Students stay 3-5 days with the alumnus/a and observe him/her at work as a method to not only further understand that career field but how that career fits into one’s life. This program is intended to be a jump off point for students to start exploring their career options and talking with professionals in order to: [1] clarify their career exploration and interests, [2] connect their course work to outside the classroom and their future plans, and [3] connect with and learn from alumni externship mentors.
* Descriptions provided from University of Arkansas, University Career Development Center Website: http://career.uark.edu/Students/Externships.aspx
