Student applications now open for NEXT 2022!

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(Alumni registration for this year's program is now closed.)

As a participating student, you are able to search available in-person and/or virtual externships by company, location, and/or professional fields. To apply, you’ll need to submit a personal statement and anonymous resume for each externship opportunity. Only current, degree-seeking Northwestern students are eligible.

NEXT 2022 Timeline:

  • Alumni host registration: November 1, 2021 - November 22, 2021
  • Student application process: November 24, 2021 - December 14, 2021
  • Host ranking process: December 17, 2021 - January 10, 2022
  • Alumni and student matches announced: Week of January 10, 2022

This Year's Hybrid Program:

NEXT 2022 will be conducted both in-person and virtually. Continuing to provide virtual opportunities makes the program more accessible for students who may not be able to travel to an externship out of state/country and allow alumni who continue to work remotely to be able to host students. This program is a great way to explore career options and continue to think about what's next after your time at Northwestern. Below are guidelines for what this year's program will look like and what you can expect.

  • Both virtual and in-person visits will start as a meeting with the alumni host to learn about their career path, industry and role overview, their time at Northwestern, etc.
  • Virtual visits will then offer subsequent virtual meetings within the same day or week, additional opportunities should be scheduled for you to learn more about the alum's role, company, industry, and more.
  • In-person visits will then offer a full day of opportunities to tour the alum's work space, meet with their colleagues, attend meetings, and any other activities their organization would allow you to participate in while you are on the premises.

Suggested Virtual Externship Activities:

  • One-on-one or small group meeting with colleague(s) from their team
  • One-on-one or small group meeting with colleague(s) from another team
  • Sitting in on a virtual group meeting
  • Resume review with the alumni host
  • Virtual office tour (if they are working out of the home)
  • Meeting with someone from their HR department
  • Or something that might be unique to their industry that isn't listed above
  • Here are a few sample itineraries sample itineraries of what your externship could look like

Suggested In-Person Externship Activities:

  • One-on-one or small group meeting with colleague(s) from their team on premises
  • One-on-one or small group meeting with colleague(s) from another team on premises
  • Sitting in on a group meeting on premises
  • Resume review with the alumni host
  • Office or broader organization tour on premises
  • Meeting with someone from their HR department on premises
  • Or something that might be unique to the specific industry that isn't listed above
  • Here are a few sample itineraries of what your externship could look like

Interested in learning more about the NEXT program?

For more information and detailed application instructions, please refer to our Resources page.

Student questions? Contact next.student@northwestern.edu or 847-491-3700.