March 27, 2006

Students gain experience through extern program

by Laura Taylor

CARBONDALE, Ill. — More than 150 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students last week spent Spring Break gaining valuable hands-on career experience through the SIU Alumni Association's extern program.

Boeing, a sponsor of the extern program, played host to 18 students this year. The company's externs got experience with employees in the fields of engineering, aviation and public relations. The week's activities were tailored to each extern's interests and future career ambitions.

Numerous other externs spent Spring Break in the St. Louis area. Students gained hands-on experience while working at Missouri Botanical Gardens, Jazz at the Bistro, Arcturis, Hyatt Regency, Trivers Associates, SmithLee Productions and many more.

The extern program was established by the Alumni Association in 1984 and provides college juniors and seniors with the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience while still in school. Students are matched with successful SIUC alumni and friends around the country and give up their Spring Break in order to shadow professionals from their chosen career fields.

Providing students with career-planning services is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint the University is following as it approaches its 150th anniversary in 2019.

For more information about the extern program, contact the SIU Alumni Association at 618/453-2408.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale Extern Program 2006

Extern Sponsors & Participants

St. Louis Area

City Company Name, Employee Sponsor

St. Louis

Mo. Arcturis, Deb Trautman

Boeing, Bethany Hays

Brian Kuhlman Studio, Maggie Dean

Deloitte & Touche, Julie Fernandez

Hyatt Regency, Timothy Combs

Jazz at the Bistro, Gene Bradford

Metaphase Design Group, Inc. Jeff Feng

Missouri Botanical Gardens, Sam Bahr

SmithLee Productions, Justin Fisher

Trivers Associates, Judy L'Homme

Belleville, Ill. BRIC Partnership, Bruce Coleman

Chesterfield, Mo. Maverick Tube Corporation, Jane Vancil

Coffeen, Ill. Coffeen State Fish & Wildlife Area, Kent Boyles

Farmington Mo. PlayPower LT Farmington Inc. Brian Jenkins

For a complete list of national sponsors, contact the SIU Alumni Association at 618/ 453-2408.