How the Job Shadowing Program Works

What is the externship/job shadowing program?
Externships bring alumni and sophomores together for 1 to 5 days in a job shadowing experience that provides an inside look at a job, firm, and/or career. Externs see first-hand how the organization runs and what and how work is done in a typical workday. They learn the expectations firms have of their employees, the organizational culture and pace, and they gain a sense of how their own interests and skills fit in this environment.

Why Sophomores?
The main goal is to expose sophomores to their field of interest at a crucial time in their academic and career decision making process. It provides a broader picture with which to think about their studies and co-curricular experiences as they relate to a specific industry or job. Participating students also gain insights into their academic major and minor choices and future course selection.

At this point in their academic studies, sophomores have only taken introductory courses in their majors, and probably have very little, if any, experience working in their field of interest.   The job shadowing program gives them a chance to see where their studies might eventually lead them in their professional lives.

What are the benefits of an externship?
As alumni, you have a concrete and simple way to support current business and liberal arts students and give back to their alma mater by providing an unpaid job shadowing experience. Giving back to your alma mater in this way complements what students learn in class, and also provides access to the hands-on experiences of sponsors and their colleagues.
Sponsors benefit from greater visibility in the community, particularly with current students and Suffolk’s thousands of alumni. By enhancing a robust college experience, you help ensure that students are better prepared for their careers. In doing so, you strengthen Suffolk’s reputation. Finally, sponsoring an extern lets you observe the interests, qualifications, and abilities of students who may later apply for internships, part-time, or full-time positions within your firm/organization.

What experiences or tasks might sponsors consider for externs?
We suggest the following activities and experiences during the externship:
• Tour of the organization
• Shadow the sponsor and/or colleagues during the workday
• Observe general office tasks, staff meetings, and interactions of one or more departments
• Observe client interactions or assist clients directly
• Assist with office tasks or projects; prepare or proofread documents
• Experience employee demonstration of industry-specific software or tools
• Review the organization’s website, mission, marketing collateral, organizational charts
• Meal with sponsor or others (typical of what staff might do if lunching together)
• Conduct informational interviews to understand the firm, industry,future trends, and career paths within this field
• Meet HR staff to understand what they look for when hiring college graduates
• Meet with Suffolk alumni who work within the organization
• Introduce extern to a new employee to give him/her a "fresh perspective"
• Shadow a current college intern for a day

When do externships take place?
In 2012, externships will only take place during Spring Break (March 12-16). The exact dates during that week will be determined by the sponsor and can vary in length from 1 to 5 days, as specified by the sponsor. Students must be able to commit to the length indicated.

Are there costs to sponsor an extern?
There is no cost to sponsors of externships. Externships are unpaid job-shadowing experiences. Students are expected to pay for all expenses associated with participating in the program.

How can I become a sponsor?
Please complete the sponsor registration form linked through this website.  We will get back to you as needed to gather more information so we can best match you with the appropriate student.

You may host one or more externs at your firm. Each extern should have a sponsor who coordinates the job shadowing experience. 

How are students matched to sponsors?
Students are paired with sponsors according to the student's interests and location preferences and preferences expressed by the sponsor.  Students may range from those eager to explore a job/career, but with little experience, to those who have extensive experience and are looking to understand a new industry.

We would prefer to know of your interest in sponsoring an extern for a job shadowing experience by October 15, 2011.