The Career Center at Boston College is proud to present the Boston College Externship Program, offered to all undergraduate students. An externship or job-shadowing experience generally lasts from one to five days in duration. It is an opportunity for students to gain understanding of a business, industry, and/or job function, to ask questions, and to observe first hand day to day business operations. It also encourages students, alumni, and organizations to forge strong and valuable connections in a shared experience. The Externship Program is not for academic credit and students are not compensated, but the experience will be greatly beneficial to both the students and sponsors.
- Student Criteria for Selection and Participation
- Typical Activities of an Extern
- Application Steps
- Externship Timeline
- Sample Questions to Pose to Sponsors in an Externship
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Student Criteria for Selection and Participation
It is the desire of the Career Center to place all students in externships who are interested. However, due to the limited number of externships available, you may not be placed in an externship right away. Students will be selected for an externship on the basis of the quality of their resume, cover letter, academic standing, and the connection between the student’s goals for participation and the criteria of the sponsoring organization.
When making a decision for placement, the selection committee will consider all these various pieces together when making a decision. Students need not show expertise or experience in the field of the externship for which they apply, but must show sincere interest and curiosity about the field as a possible career option. If you are not placed in an externship the first time around, please be sure to apply for future opportunities. The criteria for selection are as follows:
- Must be a current Boston College student in good academic standing
- Attend one information session to learn about the program. Bring your resume to this session.
- Complete the online application for an externship
- Complete an evaluation of externship at the conclusion
- Click here to review the Externship Participation Agreement Form
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Typical Activities of an Externship
- Sit in on company staff meetings
- Complete office tasks or assist with projects
- Conduct informational interviews of both professional and administrative staff
- Observe client interactions
- Observe functions and duties of a particular career
- Tour the facilities
- Review organization’s mission/vision statement and organizational charts
- Understand office policies and procedures
- Review current trends in the profession
- Explore potential career paths within the organization and the profession
- Meet with key players of the organization
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Application Steps
- It is mandatory that all externship applicants attend the orientation session. If you are not able to attend because of an extenuating circumstance, please contact the Career Center to make other arrangements.
- Bring your resume to the orientation session. Be sure that it is current and polished. Click here for resources on writing a resume and resume samples.
- Complete the online application (available in the fall). Fill out application completely and clearly.
- Please note: The winter 2009 externship experience will be held in the Boston area and in New York City. We hope to expand to other states in late 2009!
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Current Timeline for Externship Program
Externship dates will be updated in March/April to reflect the 2008 summer externship experiences in Boston and NYC.
Student Externship Application Due TBD
Information Session TBD
Externship Notification and Decision Made TBD
Externship Period TBD
NOTE: Dates will be updated in fall of 2008.
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Sample Questions to Pose to Sponsors in an Externship
- What are the major divisions of your organization? Where does your division fit in?
- What do you do during a typical work week/day?
- What skills/abilities/attributes are most important in your work?
- How did you enter this field? What preparations (college major, training, other work experiences) would you suggest for someone interested in entering this field?
- What other career areas are related to your work?
- What are the areas of growth and decline in this career field?
- What are the most significant problems you face in your specific job, department, or organization? To respond to these problems, what attributes do you seek in people you hire?
- What is the average beginning salary for a person entering this career field?
- Do employees have the opportunity for advancement within your organization? If so, how often is typical?
- How much flexibility does one typically have regarding: innovation, self-expression, hours of work, lifestyle, decision making (authority), and feedback? Do employees work overtime regularly?
- What percentage of time do you spend in interaction with people (staff and clients)? Working independently? Working with a team?
- Must someone in your field expect to be moved about often during his/her career (within the company and geographically)?
- Can you name any relevant magazines, journals, or publications that you would recommend I review?
- Do you have any advice for me?