The Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) is a one-day job-shadowing experience that offers students a unique opportunity to explore career possibilities alongside alumni. NEXT is offered in a hybrid format, allowing students to gain invaluable experience in person, virtually, or both.
As a participating student, you can search for available in-person and virtual externships by company, location, and/or professional field. To apply, you’ll submit a personal statement and anonymized résumé—one that removes identifying details such as your name and contact information—for each externship opportunity. Only current, degree-seeking Northwestern students are eligible.
About Our Hybrid Program
NEXT will continue to be conducted both in-person and virtually. By offering virtual options, the program remains accessible for students who may be unable to travel out of state or internationally, while also allowing alumni who work remotely to host students. This program is a great way to explore career options and continue to think about what’s next after your time at Northwestern.
The guidelines below outline what to expect:
- Both virtual and in-person visits will begin with an introductory meeting with the alumni host. During this conversation, you’ll learn about their career path, industry, role overview, and their time at Northwestern.
- Virtual visits may include additional meetings held within the same day or over the course of a week, offering students further insight into your role, organization, and field.
- In-person visits typically feature a full day of activities, which may include touring your workspace, meeting colleagues, attending meetings, and participating in other experiences permitted by your organization would allow them to participate in while they are on the premises.
Suggested Virtual Externship Activities
- One-on-one or small group virtual meeting with colleagues from their team or another
- Observation of a virtual group meeting
- Résumé review with alumni host
- Virtual office tour (if you're working from home)
- Meeting with a representative from their HR department
- An activity unique to their industry that isn't listed above
Here are a few
sample itineraries of what your externship could look like
Suggested In-Person Externship Activities
- One-on-one or small group meeting with colleagues from their team or another on-site
- Sitting in on a group meeting on-site
- Résumé review with the alumni host
- Office or broader organizational tour on-site
- Meeting with a representative from their HR department on-site
- An activity unique to the specific industry that isn’t listed above
Here are a few
sample itineraries of what your externship could look like
