Externship Program Connects Students to Real-World Careers

The Columbus externship program is guiding students on what the future looks like while they're still in high school.

Students posing with Jonathan Vilma after school, following a talk about financial literacy. (Source: @columbusconnects Instagram)

by Oscar Pinto

As students hurry past the entrance to the MAS building, stopping briefly at Brother Kevin's store, few notice the tucked-away office just steps away that could help shape their futures after high school.

That office is the Externship Office, where students gain real-world experience and connect with professionals in fields ranging from law and medicine to engineering.

The program at Columbus allows students to shadow professionals, build career skills and gain insight into possible future careers before they graduate high school. Mrs. Colleen Anderson and Mrs. Rosa Napoles run the externship program.

How Externships Work

Externships are short-term learning opportunities coordinated by Columbus. They are similar to internships because students go to a company, but instead of completing major tasks, they primarily shadow employees.

Students need to complete a Google Form on the school's website in the Student Life section and attend four after-school seminars. Filling out the form ensures they are entered into the externship office's system.

Colleen Anderson, director of the externship program encourages "Look at the website. Students need to attend at least four of our Explorer Series seminars to qualify, and that's it. Once they have attended four seminars, they can meet with us to discuss what they would like to do this summer."

Any student at Columbus is welcome to join.

These sessions, led by professionals, cover topics ranging from résumé writing and financial literacy to insights into industries such as law and hospitality.

Externships take place over the summer, with dates varying by placement. Students shadow professionals and sometimes participate in activities during the externship, depending on their placements.

Their Externship office is located on the first floor of the MAS building next door to the Brother Kevin Store.

Students during the Vilma talk. (Source: @columbusconnects Instagram)

Student Experience

For many students, the externship program is where ideas about the future start to feel real. What begins as curiosity about a career turns into a firsthand look at the day-to-day experience, giving students a clearer sense of what fits and what does not.

"Externships matter because students in this day and age must have an idea of what they want to study in college before they get there," said Mrs. Anderson.

Junior Martin Iparraguirre completed an externship in the financial industry, where he learned about wealth management, company roles and day-to-day operations.

"It helped me see how I saw myself in the business world, especially in wealth management," Iparraguirre said.

Junior Marcos Montesino participated in an externship at Telemundo, where he explored a potential career path in journalism. The daylong externship lasted about six hours and allowed him to meet members of the marketing team as well as on-air anchors.

Montesino also toured the studio and took part in an interactive activity in which students created their own segment based on the previous year's Olympics. Most importantly, he connected with the head of marketing, Ozzie Tirado, gaining insights into the journalism industry and advice that shaped his view of the field.

"Seeing how everything works behind the scenes made me realize how much goes into producing a live broadcast," Montesino said.

Why It Matters

The program helps students gain career clarity, real-world exposure, confidence in professional environments and direction for future decision-making. It is especially valuable for students entering their junior and senior years who are still unsure about what career path they want to pursue.

Iparraguirre said he initially planned to pursue a career in medicine, but his externship with Insigne shifted his perspective and led him toward wealth management.

"I had no clue that wealth management was that interesting, and it seems fun," Iparraguirre said.

As students move through the externship program, many leave with more than experience; they gain lifelong skills and a clearer sense of direction for their future.

Anderson encouraged students from all grade levels to participate. 

"Any student at Columbus are welcome to join the externship program,” Anderson said. "All students, all grade levels. We have something for everyone. Come by our office to discuss it. "