Externship FAQ

This guide is split into two sections: In-Person Externships and Virtual Externships.

In-Person Externships

What is the difference between an internship and an externship?

Externships are short-term, unpaid, and hosted by volunteers in various fields across the world.  They are meant to help students gain an insider view of a host's holistic life and career. Internships are longer-term (a semester or summer), may involve pay or academic credit, and a student may have more significant responsibilities or tasks to complete for the organization.

Will I have the opportunity to select the student I host?

Yes! Once a student applies for your experience, you will be sent their application. Then you can rank your choices. DAR and CLS representatives will then make the final pairings.

What student meals am I responsible for throughout the externship?

When completing your registration form, please honestly and specifically disclose what you are willing and able to provide to your extern throughout their stay.  There is no expectation from the college that you provide meals for your extern, and students can apply for funding to aid in the cost of food.  Some students do have specific dietary needs. If you would have difficulty providing certain types of meals (vegan, gluten-free, etc.) just let us know via email and we will take that into consideration when making placements.

Will my extern be able to stay in a hotel?

The externship is meant to be an opportunity in which students can work and live with a Grinnell host to better understand how life and career coexist.  Those who are unable to offer the homestay will be asked to arrange housing with another alums. For experiences where housing is not secured, the externship may need to be canceled.

Am I able to host a student for more than five days or less than three?  

Absolutely! If you are interested in holding a longer externship experience for your student, we can make arrangements that are appropriate to your interests and needs.  To give students the necessary time to achieve the learning outcomes of the program, we will not offer externships less than three days in length.

Should I register if I do not consider my day-to-day work to be all that “exciting”?

Yes! Students should see the reality of the position and industry in which you work. Any position is worthy of shadowing, as it will be a positive learning experience no matter your perceived “excitement level”. What you do day-to-day will always be a new and exciting opportunity for a student to experience.

What if I cannot host a job shadow, but I want to volunteer?

If you are interested in assisting with the externship program, but you are unable to host a job shadow, we can still use your help as a homestay host! If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please complete the externship alumni registration form.

How many students can I host?

There will be no more than two students per host to ensure a comfortable, valuable experience for both the students and hosts involved.

Virtual Externships

What is the difference between an internship and an externship?

Externships are short-term, unpaid, and hosted by volunteers in various fields across the world.  They are meant to help students gain an insider view of a host's holistic life and career. Internships are longer-term (a semester or summer), may involve pay or academic credit, and a student may have more significant responsibilities or tasks to complete for the organization.

What is a virtual externship?

Virtual externships will allow students to explore possible careers safely during the pandemic. Components to a virtual experience should include shadowing, mentoring, interviews, and a small project.

  • Shadowing: During this portion of the virtual externship, student will attend meetings with their host. The host will decide upon appropriate meetings for the student to attend.
  • Mentoring: The student and host will meet at the end of the day to reflect on the day’s activities. The student will also have an opportunity to ask any questions.
  • Interviews: Throughout the process, hosts will be encouraged to schedule interviews for their student. These can be with co-workers or alumni in a similar field. This will highlight all the possible routes to a particular job.
  • Project: The host will be asked to decide on a small project for the student to complete. This project should last one to two hours.

Will I have the opportunity to select the student I host?

Yes! Once a student applies for your experience, you will be sent their application. You can then rank your choices. DAR and CLS representatives will then make the final pairings.

Should I register if I do not consider my day-to-day work to be all that “exciting”?

Yes! Students should see the reality of the position and industry in which you work.  Any position is worthy of shadowing, as it will be a positive learning experience no matter your perceived “excitement level”. What you do day-to-day will always be a new and exciting opportunity for a student to experience.

How many students can I host?

There will be no more than two students per host to ensure a comfortable, valuable experience for both the students and hosts involved.


If you have additional questions, please contact Jessica Stewart, senior associate director of donor and alumni relations, at stewarje@grinnell.edu or 641-269-3234.