Hosting a Successful Externship

1. Hosting a Successful Externship Prepared by the Office of Career Services Lafayette College

2. Who are the Externs? • Students of all majors and class years participate in Externships. • This is a career exploration activity so many Externs do not have solidly formed ideas about careers. • Students have been selected based on your criteria, their involvement with Career Services, and the quality of their essay and resume. • Externs understand the value of “learning by doing.”

3. Who is MY Extern? • You will receive an email from Career Services including the resume of your Extern by Thanksgiving. • Get to know your Extern through phone and email exchanges prior to the Externship. • Plan an Externship based on the conversations you have with your Extern. • Your Extern is one of over 300 students participating each year.

4. What do I do with my Extern? • Have a basic itinerary developed prior to Thanksgiving. • Modify this itinerary as necessary after talking with your Extern. • Externs enjoy meeting with a variety of people in your organization, especially employees in entry-level positions. • Small projects provide Externs with a sense of accomplishment.

5. What do I do with my Extern – Part II • Share your own story…how did your Lafayette experience lead you to your career? • Externs like to be on the move, give them the opportunity to see a variety of activities. • Don’t sugar coat what you do – Externs need to know the realities of a career (like doing your own copying!) • Provide ample time for questions and answers.

6. How do I help my Extern Prepare? • Provide your Extern with information (electronic and/or print) about your organization. • Give the Extern guidelines for dress and other etiquette rules of your workplace. • Discuss housing arrangements, if applicable. • Provide a detailed itinerary including directions to your workplace.

7. How does Career Services help the Externs Prepare? • All Externs attend a mandatory Orientation in mid-November. • The Orientation covers basic etiquette, professional behavior and dress, guidelines for communicating with the host, and other program specifics. • The majority of Externs currently work with a Career Services Counselor on a regular basis. • Externs are told to make their initial contact with the host by telephone.

8. Where will my Extern Stay? • If you have offered housing, the Extern will plan to stay with you. • Other Externs will make their own arrangements for housing and transportation but appreciate your advice on lodging options and local transportation methods. • The Alumni Association offers partial reimbursement for Externs paying for their own transportation and lodging.

9. What if I have to Cancel? • Contact your Extern right away. • Contact Melissa Schultz in Career Services at schultma@lafayette.eduor 610-330-5115. • If at all possible, arrange an alternate time to take the Extern (such as Spring Break or the summer).

10. What Happens after the Externship? • Complete an online program evaluation (the link will be emailed to you). • If applicable, follow up with the student on any potential internship or full-time opportunities at your organization. • Send any quotes and photos to Rachel Moeller in Career Services for publication on our Externship Highlights webpage.

11. In What Other Ways Can I help Lafayette Students? • Provide an internship, or information about available internships at your organization. • Participate in alumni panels and networking events hosted by Career Services. • Facilitate a recruiting relationship between your employer and Lafayette. • Contact Melissa Schultzto discuss how you want to help!