Indiana University Bloomington

Campus Link Newsletter

Spring 2012

Hoosier Externship Program

During the week of March 12, IU’s Spring Break, the Career Development Center and Arts & Sciences Career Services office hosted the 3rd annual Hoosier Externship Program. An externship can best be described as a form of experiential learning similar to job shadowing in which students spend one to five days observing and working with a professional(s) in a career that is of particular interest to them. An externship is an excellent way to get a “sneak preview” into what a job or career field is actually like. Students are able to gain valuable insight(s) that help determine whether or not a particular career is right for them and on a more general level, clarify career goals. Furthermore, an externship provides an excellent networking opportunity that may help in future employment endeavors.

The companies that we work with provide a variety of great learning opportunities over the course of their programs. The student opportunities are diverse in scope, from meeting with CEOs to riding along on sales calls. One company even had students work on a small project for the Vice President of Strategy.

Not only do the students gain hands on experience, but the employers can learn a great deal about a student’s work ethic, drive and motivations. Many of the employer hosts use the externship as a precursor to their internship programs. Students who perform well and involve themselves in the experience can be preferenced or recommended for an internship.

We are always seeking to grow and diversify the externship program. If you or your organization would be interested in hosting students for next year’s program, please contact Wes Erwin at jwerwin@indiana.edu, or (812) 855-5321.

Wes Erwin
Senior Assistant Director, Employer Relations
Indiana University Career Development Center and Arts & Sciences Career Services