My name is Megan McKnight and I work as a Career Center Advisor at the University of Maryland’s University Career Center. I manage the Terp Externship Program, which is one of the newest programs offered by the Career Center. We are reaching out to members of the Maryland Parents Association to ask for your participation in this exciting program.

The goal of the Terp Externship Program is to provide a one or two day shadowing experience to undergraduate students at the University to give them the opportunity to observe and network with professionals, investigate a career field, clarify career goals and interests, and function within a work environment. Externships are similar to internships, but with only one or two day commitments--students simply shadow you or someone in your organization to learn about what you do.

More detailed information is below, but here are a few points I want to highlight:

1. Externships can be an essential tool in any job search. They can lead to internships and internships can lead to full-time jobs. This is a great way for your organization to meet some of our brightest students, and if appropriate, this could be a great way to recruit for an intern or full-time employee later.
2. Your responsibilities are important, but the commitment is not as long or in-depth as an internship. The University Career Center will provide you with a pool of candidates to choose from, and once you select the extern(s), you and the student(s) will decide a mutually agreeable date for the externship.
3. The Terp Externship Program will last one or two days and will take place in January 2009. You may identify which dates in January work best for you.
   

As seasoned professionals and as Terp parents, we believe you may be able to provide an excellent externship opportunity for a Maryland student in your current place of employment. And, you don't have to live near the University to participate. Since the externship program takes place in January, students will participate in externships around the country (likely in or near their hometown).

If you are interested, please feel free to contact me at 301.405.0275 or by email at mcknight@umd.edu. You can also click here to fill out our Externship Employer Application. Please let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to partnering with you on the Terp Externship Program.

Regards,

Megan McKnight
Career Center Advisor
Terp Externship Program
301.405.0275
mcknight@umd.edu
www.careercenter.umd.edu 

WHAT IS AN EXTERNSHIP?
An externship is a one or two-day job shadowing experience that provides students with the opportunity to observe and network with professionals, investigate a career field, clarify career goals and interests, and function within a work environment.  Externships will take place during the winter break, which falls between December 22, 2008 - January 23, 2009.

SPONSOR BENEFITS
Terp Externship is a free program that increases your organization’s visibility among the brightest and most motivated University of Maryland students. By sponsoring externs, you not only build awareness of your organization and promote internship and full-time employment opportunities, but you can observe the abilities and qualifications of the University of Maryland’s talented students.

EMPLOYER EXPECTATIONS
As the Terp Externship progr am is designed to give students a sense of the work environment and allow them to explore career interests and goals, we have crafted the following list of suggested activities and experiences that would be appropriate for externs.
·    Sit-in on staff meetings
·    Complete office tasks or assist with projects
·    Conduct informational interviews of staff
·    Observe client interactions
·    Tour the facilities
·    Review organization mission/vision statement
·    Explain office policies and procedures
·    Discuss current trends in the profession
·    Explore potential career paths within the organization as well as within the profession

PLACEMENT PROCESS
Applicant Information Session: Terp Externship Applicants are required to attend an information session during which they will learn about the program, the application process, and their responsibilities as externs.
Student Research:  Students will research companies or organizations with whom they are interested in externing and submit the name of the business where they are requesting externship placement.  We will also provide students with a list of organizations who have expressed interest in sponsoring a University of Maryland student for an externship.
Extern Selection: After the application deadline, a Career Center employee will email your company’s applications for you to select your extern(s).
Participant Orientation: Students who are selected to participate in the Terp Externship Program are required to attend an orientation session that will focus on professional etiquette, guidelines and policies, and expectations. At the orientation, students will be informed of their externship placement.
Student/Employer Communication: Participants in the Terp Externship Program are required to contact the employer with whom they are matched in order to confirm details of the externship including date, time, and location.

COMMENTS FROM PAST STUDENT PARTICIPANTS
“It was an insightful experience into my particular program. Learning about the organization and all of the great things that they do for their clients was a real eye opener for me.”

“I got a realistic look at the inner workings of the Sales and Marketing Department.  I feel the Sales and Marketing team went above and beyond what I expected from them:  the time and effort that they put into the organization and execution of my internship made the experience an invaluable one.  Through observing first-hand the ins and outs of their company, I really got a taste of what it would be like to pursue a career in that type of environment.”

“I have a better idea of the work and the labor field in general after this experience.  I also gained valuable information and built up a network of contact people.”

BE AN EXTERNSHIP SPONSOR
Thank you for considering hosting a University of Maryland student for an externship; we hope you will decide to participate in the Terp Externship program.  For more information including application deadlines, important dates, and a detailed description of the program, please visit us online or contact me. You can also fill out an employer application online at http://www.careercenter.umd.edu/form.cfm?section_ID=5& amp;form_id=9.