Externships

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
The externship program is designed to give IPFW undergraduate students the opportunity to explore a specific career field while networking with professionals and alumni within the community.

ELIGIBILITY
Any IPFW current undergraduate student is eligible to participate in the March 5-9, 2012  [week of Spring break] externship program; however, only one will be selected for each opportunity.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
To participate in the externship program, you will need to submit your resume and the additional paperwork on JobZone for the externship program. Once you are on Jobzone, go to the search function and type in "Extern", this will bring up all the possible Externships.

MATCHING PROCESS
All applications will be reviewed after the application deadline has passed. Once applications have been read and processed, students will be matched with externship sites. Students who are assigned to externships will be expected to meet with a career counselor to review guidelines and confirm commitment to the externship program. The employer will contact you to set up the first meeting.

We will make every effort to place all interested students in suitable externships. However, we cannot guarantee placement for all students. Since the primary purpose of the externship program is for career exploration, note that students who have relatively less exposure to the career field and submit well thought-out applications will be given placement preference. Location may also be a factor in matching externs with externship hosts.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR STUDENTS
Students must apply for externships on JobZone. All externships will be posted on January 26th and the deadline to apply is on February 16, 2012. Interviews will be the week of February 20th, 2012.

UPCOMING DATES FOR EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Spring 2012 Externship Program: March 5-9, 2012 [Week of Spring Break]. You must complete your externship during that week.

January 26: Externship postings go live on JobZone. Students must apply on JobZone and if selected will get an interview

February 1st at Noon in KT G98: Externship Information Session for students

February 16: Deadline to apply for Externships

Week of February 20th: Externship Interviews

February 27: Students notified of Externship placement

What is an externship? What are some externship activities? 
An externship gives students the opportunity to explore a specific career path, gain marketable job experience, and make professional connections by working with alumni and local employers. The primary purpose of the externship program is career exploration. Students will most likely participate in the following activities:

• Shadowing one or more professionals
• Attending meetings and presentations
• Touring the work site
• Conducting informational interviews with professionals in various departments and/or at various levels
• Participating in daily operations that will provide an extern with hands-on exposure to the career field/industry
• Completing a relevant project if the externship is long enough to accommodate it

What are the benefits of an externship?  
The experience is intended to help you to better understand a work environment and a career field, and thus help you clarify your career goals. You will also be able to:

• Learn more about a job or occupation
• Understand what a particular job is like on a daily basis
• Expand your network of professional contacts
• Experience the culture of an organization
• Have your questions about a job or occupation answered by professionals in the field

Can I put an externship on my resume? 
Yes. Just be honest and accurate about the timeframe (e.g., don't list a full month for a two-day visit) and the nature of the experience. Don’t confuse this with an internship or co-op experience. It's a learning experience and shows initiative on your part, but doesn't make you an expert in that career field or industry.

How long is an externship? 
Externships range in length of time but are usually 2 or 5 days. Final decisions on the length of any externship are at the discretion of the employers.

Can I specify the number of days that I prefer my externship to last? 
Employers specify the number of days they offer. When you apply, you should select employers who offer the number of days that work for your schedule. Typically, it is about 2-5 days within the timeframe of the program. 

How are externship placements determined? 
Externship placement decisions are made by Career Services. Decisions will be made based on application materials submitted and geographic factors. Be sure to apply for at least 3 externship sites of interest to increase the likelihood of placement in the program.

Who serves as externship hosts? 
Externship hosts include IPFW alumni and employers who recruit IPFW students for employment opportunities, and it is not long enough to warrant academic credit.

Can students earn academic credit? 
No. Academic credit is at the discretion of your academic department. Remember that this is a two- to five-day experience.

Do I need to be available during the entire externship period to be eligible to participate in the externship program? 
The externship program takes place when classes are not in session - since externships are usually 2 - or 5 - day experiences, you are not expected to be available for the entire length of the program. However, we do ask you to be flexible during that period of time for scheduling purposes. You are required to participate in and complete any externship you are matched with and agree to pursue.

What is the difference between an externship and an internship?

Externships are short-term (generally two to five days), and offer no pay or academic credit; internships may involve academic credit and can be paid or unpaid.

Externships are a brief learning experience and an extended site visit where the sponsor puts significant time into hosting you and giving you a learning experience. Internships are longer-term. Length of one summer is typical, but internships could also run from several weeks to a year. With an internship, you could be employed long enough for the employer to benefit from the training you are given.

What if I am interested in an internship. Do any departments on campus offer them for academic credit?

Yes. Many departments on campus offer internships. SPEA at IPFW for example does. For more information, follow this link to their own FAQ:
http://new.ipfw.edu/departments/dpea/opportunities/internships.html  

Who pays for externship expenses? 
Any costs for the externship program are expected to be covered by the student participating in the externship. Thus, be sure to select externship sites in locations that will minimize any travel, meal, or lodging costs.

What if I am not selected? 
Students can apply to a maximum of three externships. You are encouraged to apply for three positions as you may not get your first choice.

Who can I contact for questions about the program?  
Contact Ashley McArdle, mcardlea@ipfw.edu, Assistant Director of Career Services, with any questions about the program.

Students must apply for these externships on JobZone by February 16, 2012