Unique summer externship pays rising juniors with a connection to Buffalo $4,000 to work at leading corporations and learn more about Buffalo.
For the past two summers, rising junior college students with a connection to Buffalo have had an amazing opportunity: a paid, hands-on externship with the region’s leading employers.
Now the Sophomore Externship Experience (SEE) Program is growing yet again as it prepares for this year.
The deadline for application to the competitive SEE initiative is Jan. 31. Students must be rising college juniors who attend a Western New York college or graduated from a local high school, regardless of where they are pursuing degrees.
SEE is led by the University at Buffalo’s Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (The CoLab) and funded through the Prentice and Bryant foundations. The program is expanding from 75 to 100 students this year.
While the application deadline for students closes Jan. 31, UB is also seeking to expand its base of corporate partners to host the students. Each partner is required to host two externs, who will work 20 hours each week from Monday through Thursday (Fridays the entire program will come together for an experience related to living and working in Buffalo).
For each employer, CoLab covers one of the $4,000 student stipend and all associated payroll requirements.
“As amazing as this experience is for students, it’s quite attractive for employers as well,” UB CoLab Director Hadar Borden said. “It helps them discover and train highly capable entry-level professionals. Together, we’re building ways to recruit and retain our region’s very best talent.”
Last year’s participants included such regional leaders as M&T Bank, Kaleida Health, West Herr Automotive, ACV Auctions, NOCO, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, FEedMore WNY, the Buffalo Museum of Science and dozens of others.
Those interested in becoming a host can learn more and apply here or call 716-645-8111.
