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Program Objectives

  • Stimulate students to think broadly about career opportunities following graduation
  • Expose students to some of the realities of the work world
  • Utilize the talents and services of Geneseo alumni
  • Remove obstacles which may preclude a student from otherwise enjoying the benefits of such an opportunity
  • Encourage present students to someday become strong alumni who may be willing to aid in the career development of future students

 

Key Components:

  • Student Externs will visit, as a group, at least four employers in the area. Employers will be pre-selected through our connections with alumni and because of the diversity of the opportunities available.
  • Externs will individually visit alumni employed in their career area of interest. These job-site visits will be scheduled in advance once student participants have been selected.  (The Chicago program may or may not offer individual visits due to the abbreviated schedule.)
  • A panel of graduates now employed in the area will meet the student Externs to discuss their transition from Geneseo to their careers. Externs will have the opportunity to ask a variety of questions at this panel discussion.
  • Student Externs will be given a series of independent career-related assignments which will be completed during free time.
  • Alumni will host student participants in hospitality activities, including an informal tour of some of the major attractions of the host city.
  • All student Externs will be expected to maintain a written journal of the Externship experience that will be kept on file in the Alumni Relations office. The journal should describe and evaluate each major component of the week's activities.
  • A pre-Externship orientation for student Externs will be held on campus. The orientation includes practical considerations such as the schedule of events, getting around the city, appropriate dress, roommate assignments, etc.
  • Following submission of the journal, a placement reference letter and certificate will be provided to each student judged to have completed the Externship requirements in an exemplary fashion.