Applying, Requirements & Resources
Carefully read all externship descriptions in the booklet, which is arranged by career field. Don’t limit yourself to one category, because you may find something interesting in another. For example, if you are a psychology student, look beyond the “Psychology/Counseling” section because you may find an externship in “Education,” “Communications,” “Nonprofits,” or the wide variety of career paths that exist for each major. Access additional tips regarding submitting a successful January Externship Program application by visiting the “How to apply for an externship” section.
Be sure to carefully review the details of each externship of interest to you, such as: special requirements, the externship format (remote/in-person), location, and availability of housing to ensure you’re only applying to externships that are feasible for you to participate in and which align to your interests and qualifications.
Resume Resources:
- Resume Webshop Tutorial
- Weekly Gateway & Go Drop-In Times with a Gateway Counselor:
Tuesdays, 11:30a-1:30p (virtual or 201 Hogg Hall)
Fridays, 2-4p (virtual or 201 Hogg Hall)
*If you prefer to meet virtually, access Zoom links from this page of our site. - Check our calendar for upcoming Document Review Days, to get a quick critique with no appointment required.
Essay Resource:
- Utilize the Writing Center’s drop-in opportunities for feedback on your essay: https://cwp.lafayette.edu/for-students/drop-in/. The Gateway Counselors are not able to review your essay given their direct role in the host-student matching process.
By submitting your application, you are agreeing to accept any of the externship choices you’ve listed in the application and honor this commitment. Therefore, be sure to plan carefully by thoughtfully selecting your choices, reviewing the host’s weeks of availability, considering transportation costs (if relevant), and taking into account your other commitments over the January break. In addition, you are committing to the following:
- Participating in a mandatory Career Center orientation that covers timeline, professional etiquette, expectations, etc.
- Engaging professionally with your host and the networking connections initiated through the host
- Reviewing pre-assigned reading/research materials to ensure preparedness for conversations
- Sending a professional communication expressing gratitude to the volunteer and others who provided experience, and providing the Gateway Career Center with a copy of this communication (after the externship)
- Submitting an evaluation of your externship experience to the Gateway Career Center
- Developing two SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Based) goals as next steps in career exploration/ development – whether to further pursue path explored or a different career area (as part of Career Center follow-up; guidance will be provided)
In November, you will receive an email indicating whether or not you have been matched with an externship. After being matched to an externship, you are required to attend one of the orientation meetings held in November. At this session, you will receive important information about how to proceed and Gateway Career Center program requirements for all externship participants. Participation in an Externship Orientation is required to receive the name and contact information for your assigned extern host.
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based. These five characteristics work together to help you ensure that the goals you craft are well thought out, precise, and trackable.
At the conclusion of your Explore & Connect experience, we will ask you to write two career development-related goals. These goals may or may not be directly connected to your Explore & Connect experience. These goals may be related to your internship or job search, expanding your professional network, updating/enhancing your professional documents and/or presence, graduate/professional school planning, course selection, further exploration, or something else altogether.
Review these helpful articles related to SMART goals: