| 
STEP 3: Make Contact
With your list prepared, the next step is to contact
your potential Extern Hosts. It is recommended that
you contact potential Extern Hosts several weeks in
advance of your visit to allow adequate time for any
arrangements that need to be made by both you and your
Extern Host. A handy Externship
Host Contact Sheet is available here to help
walk you through the process of making contact with
your potential hosts and help keep you organized.
You can either send a message via email or call the
individual directly. Once you have contacted the individual,
state your purpose. Remember to be professional and
courteous. You might begin your conversation like this:
"Hi, Ms. Smith, my name is John, and I'm a University
of Florida student. I'm very interested in the marketing
field and I'm trying to find out as much as I can about
it. I am hoping to set up an externship with someone
in this occupation. An externship is a career shadowing
experience that typically lasts from a few hours up
to one week and provides students with an opportunity
to observe a professional and learn about possible careers
in that field. I will be visiting Atlanta over Spring
Break and would like to utilize the break between classes
to learn more about your occupation so that I can plan
my studies accordingly."
Be sure to make it clear that you're not looking for a
job at this time, but that you are just trying to obtain
information about careers in this field. You are asking
them to volunteer their time to answer your questions,
perhaps give you a tour of their company/organization,
and/or observe meetings and some of the other daily functioning
in their place of business.
If the contact says no, politely thank him/her and ask,
"Is there someone else you can suggest for me
contact?" Then review your other contact possibilities.
If the contact says yes, be sure to discuss the specifics:
 |
 |
|
Day(s)
/ Time(s) |
|
| |
|
|
Directions
to the office |
|
| |
|
|
Attire
- business or casual |
|
| |
|
|
Any prep
that they would like you to do before
you arrive |
|
|
You may want to send a copy of your resume
ahead of time so that your host can learn a bit about
you. We also suggest staying in contact with your Extern
Host during the time between your first contact and your
arrival for the externship to confirm arrangements.
If you are having difficulties or have any questions,
be sure to give us a call at (352) 392-1601 Ext. 310 or
email 
Allison Crew
for additional assistance.
Related Resources and Web Links:
|
| |
| |
| |
| |
 |
|
CRC
Workshops - More help with Resumes,
Interviewing Techniques, and Tips for
Attire |
|
|
|
