EXTERNSHIP/LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS
Externship/Leadership programs typically are typically one to several days in length and are hosted on-site by a company. The experiences often include an introduction to the organization and overview of available career paths, professional skill-building opportunities, and networking with professionals from the host organization. Some employers use their programs to identify students to whom they wish to extend internship offers for the following summer. All externship/leadership programs are non-credit bearing.
“Externship and leadership programs are great opportunities to network, be introduced to various industries, and gain an understanding of a company’s culture and mission. I participated in several one-day events and multi-day programs that provided me with valuable insight into careers in investment banking and consulting. I’m grateful for these experiences that ultimately led me to an investment banking summer analyst position with BMO Capital Markets.”
Tessa Piontkowski
Who is eligible?
Typically externship/leadership programs are targeted at first-years and sophomores, however, some are open to all students.
What is included?
The agenda for externship/leadership programs varies by company; typical components include an employer overview, a tour of the office, team-building activities, professional development workshops, case studies and/or an opportunity to interact and network with professionals.
When are they held?
Many programs are held throughout the summer. A few may take place during the academic year.
Where are they held?
Programs may take place at the employer's office location or virtually.
What are the benefits?
Employers seeking top talent target students at the beginning of their college careers, as a means of developing a “pipeline” of candidates. By participating in externship/leadership programs as first-years or sophomores, students have an early advantage in observing an employer site, making employer connections, and potentially receiving an internship offer for the following summer. These programs also allow students to reflect on potential opportunities and rule out employers and industries in which they may not want to work.
How can I apply?
Some employers will post their program to Handshake. Students may find externship/leadership programs in the “Jobs/Internships” section of Handshake by filtering on the “Job Type” of “Experiential Learning”. Other employers will have candidates apply directly through their company website.
“My finance externship was a great way for me to experience what the company culture is like at Johnson and Johnson from people at a variety of levels within the organization. It was an amazing opportunity for me to ask questions about the company and what roles are available for the students. The externship is a great way for students to show interest in the company, which is what allowed me to land a role for the CoOp Program at Johnson and Johnson.”
Kyle Patel '22 VSB
Finance Externship
FEATURED COMPANIES WITH EXTERNSHIPS
Alphasights
American Enterprise
Armanino
Baker Tilly
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Barclays
BDO
Blackstone
Blackrock
Bloomberg
BMO
BP
Citi
Comcast
Credit Suisse
Crowe
Deloitte
Deutsche Bank
EACE
EY
Financial Women's Association
Forte College
FTI Consulting
Google
Goldman Sachs
Grant Thornton
GSK
Girls Who Invest
Hamilton Lane
Johnson & Johnson
JP Morgan
Kenvue
KPMG
Lazard
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Macquarie
Marketing EDGE
Morgan Stanley
McKinsey & Company
P&G
Point 72
PwC
Stifel
TD Bank
UBS
Vanguard
Wall Street Exchange
Wells Fargo
VSB Deloitte Student Group Fund
The VSB Deloitte Student Group Fund is available for all VSB Business Societies and is to be used for Professional Development experiences!
Villanova Career Center
The O'Donnell Center partners with the Villanova Career Center, which offers comprehensive career development and job search resources to students and alumni of the university.
Corporate Involvement