Gain first-hand experience
Externships place Calvin faculty members in for-profit business establishments for up to five months to gain first-hand experience in current business practices. The educational goal of such an externship is to increase the professor's ability to connect theory and practice and so bring understanding from the world of business (e.g., problem solving methods, practical applications of theory, and leadership concepts) into the classroom. Learn about other faculty members' externships by reading their reports.
A company or corporation may receive the services of a faculty extern without the obligation of salary and benefit remuneration. The company can, therefore, benefit from a faculty member's expertise at a minimal cost. In exchange, the business is expected to furnish activities for the extern that provide a broad overview of the firm's operation in addition to other specific tasks and projects. Such activities are expected to take creative advantage of the faculty member's interests, skills, and knowledge.
The business is expected to provide a mentor to work with and provide direction for the extern. Mentors should be experienced members of a firm's management team who support the goals of the externship program and view the program as providing unique benefits to both the extern and the business.
