Paymon Khorrami, Katzenbach Partners, New York, NY
The Alumni Board of Governors (ABG) and the Career Advising and Planning Services
Office at the University of Chicago offer a unique career shadowing
experience for first and second year College students. The Alumni Board
of Governors Career Externship Program is an opportunity to shadow an alumni
sponsor in his or her place of business for 2-3 days during Spring Break
(March 24-28, 2008). This opportunity offers the extern a glimpse of what
types of skills, knowledge and capabilities they will need to acquire or
develop in order to be successful in a particular industry.
Externs shadow their alumni sponsor and are encouraged to attend meetings and presentations, observe how data is analyzed and research is conducted, and perhaps even work on an independent project. Many externs are also introduced to other staff members in the office to gain a structural conception of the organization. In addition to career exploration, externs also leave with otherwise unobtainable networking relationships and the acquaintance of potential future mentors!
Applicants to the ABG Career Externship program do not need to have had previous work experience or education in the alumni host’s field. Applicants need only to display genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for the externship in a compelling cover letter and resume.
So, whether you are a Chemistry major interested in a career in Theater Management or an Economics major interested in a career in Physics research, please don’t hesitate to apply
Diversity of Locations
In 2007, 57% of ABG externships were located in the city of Chicago or also
the Chicago suburbs. However, the Alumni Board of Governors and CAPS have
established externships in cities such as New York, Washington
DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston,
and Miami among others.
Eligibility
Only first and second-year students in the College at the University of Chicago are eligible to apply to be externs. If you are a second-year student who participated in the program last year, you are eligible to apply again—however, you will not be awarded the same externship twice.
