Externships Providing Leadership Opportunities in Research and Education (EXPLORE) Program matches advanced and gifted high school students with distinguished mentors, hands-on research opportunities, and professional experience in their field of interest. With the support and guidance of mentors and IEA staff, students learn about working in a variety of professional settings and advance their skills through the pursuit of knowledge and exposure to optimally challenging learning experiences. Each student not only grows intellectually and personally but is able to make pertinent and lasting connections with their mentors and like-minded peers.
An externship provides students a short-term opportunity, last anywhere from one day to a few weeks, to explore a career field of interest, acquire relevant job experience, and create professional connections by working with experts and professionals.
A: During each session, Externs will work alongside their Mentor and/or Mentor’s team during the workday, Monday through Thursday for 5 to 8 hours per day. Tasks, projects, and working hours will vary by site and is determined by the Mentor. You may spend some time shadowing your Mentors and assisting with pre-arranged projects, research and/or lab work.
Mentors are mindful of providing the most worthwhile experience that provides real-world training to educate Externs on their field of interest and expose them to the expertise of others in the field.
A: EXPLORE uses a portfolio-based application which requires an essay, a letter of recommendation, high school transcripts, standardized test scores, resume or brag sheet, and sample work to gauge your skills and interests. It is important you submit at least one piece you think would best represent your abilities and is relevant to your field of interest. Finalists are also required to go through a phone interview with an IEA staff member.
A: At the moment, we have secured site placements in Southern California throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. We are in the process of launching a pilot program at sites in Northern California.
A: IEA does not provide lodging for participants or their families for the duration of the program. Students must make their own housing arrangements prior to the start of the program.
A: IEA does not provide transportation for students. Students must provide their own transportation to and from their externship site, weekly workshops/excursions, orientation days, and final culmination ceremony.
If you are unfamiliar with the public transportation system, IEA staff would be happy to assist with navigating and making recommendations for route options.
A: You are eligible to apply if you are:
Some sites require students to be of a minimum age or meet certain prerequisites; these requirements will be listed with the site description on the EXPLORE Sites + Mentors webpage.
Some students will indicate this information in the enrollment forms to ensure an optimal match; however, students do not need to be identified as gifted in order to apply.
Complete and submit an EXPLORE program application no later than Monday, March 31, 2020. The online application will become available in mid-January 2020.
A. Your sample work should be a piece you are most proud of and should display your abilities or knowledge in your field of interest. In the past, students have submitted pieces such as a homework assignment they did well on, a school or passion project, a research paper, a lab write-up, work from a competition, and artwork.
A: All of our sites are highly competitive so we ask applicants to be intentional when deciding which sample work they wish to include with their comprehensive application. The more students demonstrate their ability towards their career field of choice, the better their chances of being placed at their preferred site. Additionally, students should be purposeful in ranking their top 3 career fields of interest as this information helps with the matching process.
A: Currently, program fees change depending on the program. Please see the current program details for more information.
A: Yes, scholarships and payment plans are available to qualified students in need, and financial concerns should not discourage any student from applying. Please contact the the Program Manager, Megan Figueroa, at Explore@educationaladvancement.org for more information.
If you do not see an answer to your question here, please feel free to email us at Explore@educationaladvancement.org.
“AS THE WEEKS WENT ON AND I DELVED INTO A LOT OF HANDS-ON AND INTERESTING PROJECTS, MY EXPECTATIONS WERE TOTALLY BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER. I FOUND MYSELF AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE LAB, AND I ACTUALLY FOUND THAT I REALLY, REALLY ENJOYING THE WORK THAT I’VE BEEN DOING, SO MUCH SO THAT I HOPE TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH MY MENTOR.”
– Alumna 2018
“I really enjoyed doing research on the future applications of the project and how the it could evolve to help advance research in many diverse fields.”
– Alumnus 2016
“THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS WONDERFUL PROGRAM, I LEARNED MANY THINGS ABOUT MYSELF. I LEARNED THAT I REALLY DO LOVE THINGS DEALING WITH SCIENCE AND THAT I HAVE A CLEARER PICTURE OF WHAT I WANT TO MAJOR IN, FOR COLLEGE. OVERALL I FELT THAT THIS EXPERIENCE REALLY HELPED ME GROW AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A STUDENT.”
– Alumnus 2017
