Oct. 29, 2009

By: Carly Bentz, Marketing and Communications Intern

Connect, a College of Business student organization, is planning its annual Externship program for winter intersession. The Externship program is a no cost three-day shadowing and engagement experience for Ohio University CoB students. Connecting students with alumni is the main goal of Connect, and with the Externship program, that is exactly what the organization is doing. The Externship’s purpose is to give students real-life experiences through observing and engaging alumni in the workplace. “The Externship is an opportunity for students to develop professional relationships and to see a glimpse of the real world,” said Caleb Pope, Vice President of Connect.

The Externship program was started in the early years of Connect, but was terminated for financial reasons. Last year the program was restarted, and was a great success. It was so successful that it was mentioned in BusinessWeek Online. This year, Connect looks to double alumni participation, and has set forth to make the experience more than just shadowing by providing opportunities for professional development.  Also, the expectations of students and alumni have been bolstered to improve the quality of the Externship experience.

Connect lays out specific requirements that students and alumni participants must meet in order for the program to be successful. Student requirements include: bear costs of the externship, must be highly-qualified and motivated, undergo an application and interview process, come prepared to engage alumni, come prepared with questions, prepare heavily through company and competitor research, and write a reflection paper.

Alumni participants must also meet certain requirements that include: give an overview of and show day-to-day operations, allow time for student questions, highlight the career journey that has led to their current position, discuss difficulties and how they are overcome, and provide a mock interview from the HR department to help student hone interviewing skills and edit resumes.

Members of Connect are very excited for this year’s program and encourage freshmen, sophomores, and juniors to come to the information sessions on November 4 from 7-8 pm and November 5 from 6-7 pm in Copeland Hall 112/114. “Come learn more about this unique program and position yourself for the best job/internship you can,” said Matt Galli, President of Connect.