Northern Illinois University has partnered with Extern to help students build real-world, resume-ready professional experience
NIU Career Services has partnered with Extern to connect students with mentored, project-based externships at companies you already recognize. 50 spots are open for fall.
Why this matters
The entry-level job market has changed. Employers expect you to have experience before they will give you experience. NIU Career Services and Extern are working together to close that gap, so you can build proof of work now instead of waiting on a summer internship that may never come.
Through this partnership, NIU students work on real projects mentored by senior professionals at companies like Amazon, Pfizer, TikTok, Beats by Dre and Wayfair. Externships are fully remote and built around a student schedule, so they fit alongside classes, work and everything else you are carrying. There is no GPA gate and no major gate.
This is a co-curricular program run through NIU Career Services. It does not carry course credit. The fall cohort is limited to 50 students, with a second cohort planned for spring.
What is an externship?
Not sure what an externship actually is? Watch Jada's journey from student to LVMH and Fox Entertainment.
How Are Externships Different Than Internships?
These virtual, fully remote projects are designed to fit your schedule and can be completed from anywhere. The experience includes guided online modules aligned with the project work, along with live sessions hosted by participating companies throughout the externship.
Projects are available across multiple industries and career areas, allowing students to build both soft and hard skills relevant to current workforce needs. Example projects include sustainability consulting engagements, venture capital investment memos, and game design.
Externships are typically 8–12 weeks in length and involve an estimated 5–10 hours of work per week. Participation is open to all eligible students regardless of GPA, major, or prior experience.
I'm an NIU student. How do I get access?
Externships are open to NIU undergraduate students with sophomore standing or above. No GPA requirement, no major requirement.
Step 1: Apply through NIU Career Services. Applications open Monday, October 5 and close Thursday, October 15 at 11:59 PM CT. The application asks you to rank the externships you're most interested in, so take a look at the catalog below before you apply.
Step 2: Watch for your invitation. NIU Career Services reviews applications and selects the fall cohort on October 16. Selected students get an email from Extern with instructions to set up an account.
Step 3: Start on October 19. Your top-ranked externship will already be in your account when you log in, so you can get started on day one. Join the optional live onboarding session on October 19 (2 to 3 PM CT).
Step 4: Build your proof of work. You have 4 months of access, through February 19, 2027. Join the live sessions, complete your deliverables, and finish with a portfolio piece and a verified certificate for your resume and LinkedIn.
What’s Waiting For You
Put the experience on your resume with big brand names you can point to and experience you can speak to in an interview.
Meet industry professionals and collaborate with peers from all around the world.
Learn through application the most in-demand tools and skills employers are looking for.
Showcase your project deliverables so you can show your peers and recruiters the experience you now have.
Extern will verify your experience if you meet the requirements of completion and act as a reference for recruiters.
Gain confidence as you learn about what actual projects look like in the real world and be more sure of the career you want to pursue.
Extern by the Numbers
Backed by data, powered by mentorship, loved by students.
Students Served — and growing fast
of externs get hired within 12 months
universities where students are externs
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