Cornell Extern Program

The Extern Program offers career-exploration opportunities for Cornell sophomores, juniors, and seniors during Winter break, January 4—23, 2010. No compensation is involved, and students are responsible for their own transportation and accommodations.

We encourage students to explore broadly, and to experience a field that may have piqued their interest, but in which they have no exposure or experience. Other students already have defined career interests, and the externship visit will provide them hands-on exposure to assess their “fit” with that work environment, help narrow their focus, or change their direction. The visit could last longer than one or two days, for a project, if the sponsor chooses this option. 

What activities are beneficial to students?

• Talk with the student about your career field, your career path and decision-making, your organization, and your job responsibilities.
• Have the student attend appointments and meetings with you, if feasible.
• Set up a meeting with others in your organization (especially those at varying levels and positions).
• Arrange a tour or assign a career-related project or task.

How are students selected?
Students from all colleges are eligible, and sponsors can list preferences of college/major or interests based on your background, field, organization, or project. You specify your preferences and Cornell will match an extern with you.  Our goal is to match as many students with win-win experiences as possible.

Retired? Travel? In graduate school? Work in a confidential setting?
If your work setting is not conducive to visits from students, or if you are retired or between jobs, we encourage you to offer an informational interview in the form of a lunch/dinner meeting or phone interview. Even brief interaction with alumni, professionals and graduate students can provide a wealth of information to a student weighing career and academic decisions.

Ready to become a sponsor?
Register online or download the pdf and fax (607/255-3060) the registration form.

Registration Deadlines:
September 10, 2009, for your externship to be included in the early application period or October 14, 2009, to be included in Round 2.

Need more information?
Contact Nancy Law, NFL1@cornell.edu or 607/255-9046.

Other resources for sponsors: 
Extern Sponsor Timeline
Guidelines for New Extern Sponsors
Extern Student Comments
Extern Sponsor Comments
Partial Recent Extern Organization List