At the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program, we strive to offer students real-world experience during their academic journey. One of the cornerstones of this experiential learning is our Externship Exchange Program. On August 13th, 2024, Dr. Karen Bemis, Assistant Director of the Master of Business and Science (MBS) Externship Exchange Program, and Abbe Lynn Rosenthal, MA, PCC, DYL Certified Coach & Facilitator, alongside our dedicated team of Advisors, hosted the Summer 2024 Externship Lightning Talks. During this event, externs presented the projects they worked on throughout the semester.
Externships are more than just semester-long projects—they’re team-based collaborations where students partner with companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. Through weekly professional development workshops, the Externship program also provides a unique opportunity for students to receive specialized instruction in leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and effective communication.
Over 12 weeks during the summer semester, our externs work under the guidance of MBS advisors and external corporate mentors to bring their projects to life. Each team is led by a designated team lead, who steers the group toward success.
Externships are often a gateway to future career opportunities, allowing students to explore new fields, fine their skills, and gain deeper insights into a specific industry. Through real-time feedback from experienced professionals, students build a strong network of colleagues and mentors that can support their career growth.
Since the Externship Exchange Program’s inception in 2016, it has grown exponentially. Starting with just 13 students, the program has now served:
- 145 partner organizations
- 2200 total students
- 307,000 student training hours
Our externs come from a diverse range of disciplines within the PSM program, Undergraduate School of Engineering, Engineering Honors Academy, Undergraduate Honors College, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, New Jersey Big Data Alliance, and more.
Recognizing the importance of effective communication in the workplace, we ensure that our students get the chance to practice presenting their work concisely and effectively. At the end of the program, students deliver a 3-minute, elevator-pitch-style presentation of their projects in front of their peers and advisors during our lightning talks. Over two sessions of presentations, each team discussed the company’s background, problem statement, concept map, timeline, results, and insights and takeaways.
This summer, students partnered with organizations such as Colgate-Palmolive, Keystone, Wall Street Bootcamp, Fidelis Animal Health, ECPAT, Vantage, DIMACS, Collaboratives Solutions, and more.
At the end of the presentations, the audience voted for the teams with the best slides and overall presentation. The evening concluded with the announcement of the best lead externs and the awarding of MBS fellowships to outstanding students.
To our students: congratulations on your achievements! Whether you plan to participate in a fall, spring, or summer externship, our doors are always open.
To learn more about externships, visit the MBS Externship Exchange program webpage or attend one of our informational webinars.