Radford University Externship Program

WHAT EMPLOYERS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR EXTERNS

The Radford University Externship is both a mentoring and job shadowing program.  It was created to bring RU Alumni, including those serving on the RU President’s Council, and students together to enhance the career knowledge and sophistication of the RU student body as they approach graduation.  RU alumni and friends assist students in their exploration of the workplace by acting as sponsors as students learn about their fields of interest.  Externs gain valuable hands-on experience by observing a work environment and learning what isn’t available in a classroom setting.  Sponsors benefit from the opportunity to guide future RU professionals and see some of the University’s best and brightest before other organizations begin recruiting them.

Externships take place during breaks in the RU academic calendar and may be set up over the holiday break between fall and spring semesters, during spring break, or other mutually acceptable date.  Students are usually matched with sponsors in their hometown or surrounding area.  Sophomores, juniors, and seniors of all majors are encouraged to apply.  Externships are available in a broad range of fields, including (but not limited to) business, government agencies, education, social services, law and medicine.  Externs are responsible for all expenses including housing, meals, and transportation.

Questions?  Please e-mail Dr. Kathy Jordan Director of Experiential Learning & Career Development k-jordan@radford.edu  call 540/831-5373 or visit the Center in Suite 279 of Walker Hall on the RU campus. (Note:  Based on University of Illinois Program)

For more information on the Externship Program at Radford University:

• HOW TO BECOME A RADFORD UNIVERSITY EXTERN
• HOW TO BECOME A RADFORD UNIVERSITY EXTERN SPONSOR
• SUGGESTIONS FOR SPONSORS AND THEIR EXTERNS
• THE RADFORD UNIVERSITY EXTERNSHIP

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Students interested in the externship program are asked to submit a letter of application, resume, and a one page essay about their career objectives via e-mail to Dr. Kathy Jordan by October 1 st of fall semester to be considered for an externship during that academic year.  A committee comprised of faculty, alumni, and the career center staff will screen the applicants and select candidates for the interview process.  Interviews will be conducted to select the students who get to participate in the program.  These students will be placed with professionals in the field of interest. Students will receive their sponsor’s contact information and will be responsible for contacting the sponsor to initiate contact.

Please note this program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  For more information and assistance, please contact the Experiential Learning & Career Development Center and visit our website at http://www.radford.edu/~careers

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The Externship program is administered through the Radford University Experiential Learning & Career Development Center.  It will coordinate application, selection, and evaluation of this program for the RU Alumni Association and the RU Foundation.

Interested sponsors should complete and submit the Alumni Career Networking form.  On that form under services you will offer, please check, “Participate in the RU Extern Program” and “Host a visit to his or her office to participate in a day or half-day shadowing experience.” 

You may also send an e-mail to Dr. Kathy Jordan at k-jordan@raddford.edu or contact Eric Melniczek at emelnicze@radford.edu 

Selected students will be paired with sponsors according to the students’ fields of study and location preferences.  Sponsors and students will be given contact information and should e-mail or telephone one another to initiate relationship.  It will be the students’ responsibility to initiate contact the sponsor. Sponsors are not expected to provide externs with any assistance beyond the actual job shadowing experience.  However, sponsors that would like to also provide additional guidance and advice on the transition from college to work and tips for success are certainly encouraged to do so.      

If at any time you would like to withdraw from the program or have your contact information removed from the Alumni Career Network for a specific period of time that can be arranged immediately at your request by contacting the Experiential Learning & Career Development Center at 540/831-5373.

Radford University Alumni Career Networking Form

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The following are some practical suggestions that you may find helpful:

• At the beginning of the relationship and externship experience, sponsors and their externs should set goals for the experience that will benefit both of them.  The shadowing and mentoring relationship can then be tailored to fit both individual’s expectations.  Also, if the extern will be visiting at your place of employment then introductions can be made and procedures established that reduce anxiety.
• In order to prepare for the shadowing externship experience, a participating alumni and/or organization may find it helpful to review and circulate the extern’s resume to familiarize associates with the student before their arrival.
• To provide externs with a thorough knowledge of your career field, sponsors should give externs hands-on experience that includes as many facets of the workplace as possible. 
• Where applicable, externs would benefit from a meeting with company recruiters and entry-level staff.  By speaking with these individuals, externs can form a more realistic view of occupations.
• Completing an exit interview is useful.  In doing so, externs and sponsors can evaluate the program and suggest future improvements.  This will also establish whether the goals for the experience were accomplished and why.  In addition, the extern will have a final opportunity to ask follow up questions.
• The Center for Experiential Learning & Career Development at Radford University will provide final evaluation forms to both sponsors and externs to assist in this evaluation process.

Thank you for taking the time to review these suggestions.  Hopefully they will be useful tools as you prepare for an externship relationship.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Dr. Kathy Jordan at k-jordan@radford.edu or call 540/831-5373.

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The following students have been accepted into the RU Externship Program. We will work diligently to find a sponsor for your externship.

Student Names: