Career Services

Externship hosts can be alumni, parents, or friends of Lafayette College.  Alumni hosts can be from any class year, as long as they are in a position to assemble an itinerary of experiences for the student that provide a “real world” look at a career area.  We seek hosts from a wide variety of industries and geographical locations.  Hosts currently in graduate or professional school are part of the program since many students are interested in seeing what it would like to be graduate student.

Resources for Extern Hosts

Resources & Advice for Externship Planning
Externship Program Highlights
Externship Host Guidelines
Externship Host Brochure
Online Externship Host Application 

HOST EXTERNSHIP FAQs

HOW IS THE EXTERNSHIP ASSIGNMENT MADE?
Students are provided with a booklet describing all the available Externships.  They complete an application listing their top six Externship choices, along with a resume and an essay.  Career Services then performs the matching process using the information provided by students as well as any criteria outlined by each Externship hosts.

ONCE I AM ASSIGNED AN EXTERN, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
It is the student’s responsibility to contact you to decide on the specific dates and times you will spend together.  You should provide directions and guidelines for appropriate dress, as well as discuss housing arrangements (if applicable).  Student contact information will be on the resume that is emailed to you by Career Services.

This initial contact is also a time for the student to give you an indication of what he or she is interested in observing and gaining from the experience.

HOW STRUCTURED SHOULD THIS EXPERIENCE BE?
This depends on the host and the student.  Because the students are also responsible for making this Externship successful, they should clearly communicate their interests and expectations to you.  All hosts should have a planned itinerary in place a month prior to the Externship and provide the student with a written copy.

If you have questions about what kinds of activities to include in your Externship, please contact Melissa Schultz in Career Services at schultma@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5115.

HOW DOES THE EXTERN HANDLE TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING?
Many students choose Externships close to home, so housing is not an issue.  Other students, however, are more than willing to travel for an Externship in their career area of interest.  In these situations, some hosts provide housing.  If that is not possible, students typically obtain housing in a nearby hotel.  Any housing and transportation costs are covered by the student; however, the Alumni Association does provide funds to help offset such costs.

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES?
You have the right not to answer any questions or requests you feel are inappropriate or confidential.  You also have the right to address, with the student, any behavior that is unacceptable in your workplace.

You have the responsibility to spend time with the student, or arrange for the student to meet with someone else or work on a project throughout most of the day.  We ask that you minimize idle time as best you can.  It is not your responsibility to guess what will be most interesting to the student.  The student should share with you his/her specific areas of interest to help in your planning.   The student has also been instructed on appropriate workplace etiquette and has been advised to perform research on your employer prior to the Externship.

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL MY EXTERNSHIP?
If some unforeseen event occurs that requires you to cancel your Externship, notify your student immediately.  Please also contact Melissa Schultz in Career Services as soon as possible at 610-330-5115 or schultma@lafayette.edu.  Hopefully you and the student are able to reschedule the Externship at a mutually convenient time.

HOW CAN I PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM?
You can contact Rachel Moeller at any time with comments or questions.  A formal evaluation will be emailed in late January to solicit your opinions on the experience.  These evaluations are used in the overall program assessment.  We strive to make this program a positive experience for all students and hosts involved.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE EXTERNSHIP IS COMPLETED?
It is our sincere hope that the Externship experience is a positive one for you.  Some hosts and students stay connected for months or even years after the Externship.  If the experience is a positive one, your student may inquire about the potential for internships or full-time jobs in your organization.  We have seen many Externships blossom into longer-term opportunities, although that is certainly not a requirement of the program.

IN WHAT OTHER WAYS CAN I VOLUNTEER FOR CAREER SERVICES?
If you enjoyed spending time helping a Lafayette student explore careers, Career Services provides many other opportunities to do so.  Visit our Volunteer with Us section (link to the section) to read about the many ways to connect with Lafayette students.

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS?
Contact Melissa Schultz in Career Services at schultma@lafayette.edu or 610-330-5115 with any questions about the program.