The deadline to submit all application materials for the Winter 2023 Extern Program is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
Spring Extern Week
March 6-10, 2023
The deadline to submit all application materials for the Spring 2023 Extern Program is 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
The Extern Program is open to Ursinus College students of all class years and majors, at least 18 years or older.
Preference will be given to second, third and fourth year students.
Additional priority will be given to students who have not had an externship.
Some Workplace Sponsors may restrict their Externships to certain majors or years; this will be noted in the specific Externship description.
An externship is an opportunity to have your questions answered by someone with experience in a field you are considering as a possible career. In addition to helping you consider career choices, you will gain opportunities for networking and informational interviewing. Activities you may become involved with as an extern include:
Observe work being performed by the Workplace Sponsor or his/her co-workers
Speak with Workplace Sponsor about career field, career path, job responsibilities, experiences
Attend staff or committee meetings or presentations
Take a tour of the organization
Attend a training program designed for new employees
Complete or assist with a sampling of work assignment
Observe interactions with the organization’s clients
Develop relationships with professionals and build your professional network
Plan a meeting with the hiring staff to understand what they look for in college graduates
Connect with Ursinus College alumni who work at the organization
Meet young, recently hired staff to understand their experiences
Explore careers and work environments and test interests
Gain exposure to the expectations and culture of organizations, as well as workplace dynamics
Learn and practice appropriate business etiquette
Participate in informational interviews with staff members to understand the organization, industry and future trends, and career paths within this field.
Prior to completing the application
Before applying to the Extern Program students need to read all externship descriptions. To review all externship opportunities you will need to log in to your Handshake account and select Jobs. On the Job page select the “Filters”, scroll down and under the Labeled by Your School option enter winter 2023 externship. The filtered results will include the externship descriptions and the Extern Program application for your exploration.
When completing the application you will be asked to indicate your housing and transportation arrangements for each location. Please have all logistics figured out prior to committing to the choices on your application. Actual arrangements should not be made until your assignment has been confirmed.
Extern Program Made Easy Attendance at the Extern Program Made Easy workshop on Wednesday, October 5, 2022 for the winter extern program or Wednesday, February 1, 2023 for the Spring extern program will earn applicants a point on the rubric used for the application process.
Writing the Resume Appointments are available with a Career Advisor or Resume Associate to have a resume critiqued. Please make an appointment online through your Handshake account.
Writing the Essay We recommended that you have a trusted friend, professor or the Writing Center review your essay responses. Your essay will need to be uploaded on Handshake through the View Your Profile page under the Documents tab, in the upper, right-hand corner, as an “other document.” Write a one to two page, double-spaced essay answering the following two questions:
- Why are you interested in doing an externship and what do you hope to gain from the experience?
- How do you plan to prepare for and make the most of your externship?
All students applying for the program MUST apply using this online procedure in Handshake. The application process has FOUR steps. All steps must be completed by 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 for the winter program or 5:00 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 for the spring program. NO EXCEPTIONS. The resume portions of your application will be shared with your Extern sponsor.The details
