Bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world careers!
The Externship and Career Experiential Learning (ExCEL) initiative aims to guide and empower students by providing opportunities for valuable real-world experiences that foster confidence and highlight career pathways they may not have considered. ExCEL continues to help students connect their academic learning to professional success, ensuring they graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the workforce.
With plans to expand and evolve, ExCEL empowers students to connect their academic learning to professional success, ensuring they graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their future careers. Whether students are interested in industry research, product development, or entrepreneurial ventures, ExCEL opens the door to countless opportunities and helps them take the first steps toward a successful future.
Participation in the ExCEL initiative can help you earn your IDEAL Scholar medallion! Through active participation in the opportunities provided by ExCEL, you can achieve the Application theme, by engaging in activities that promote active learning mirrored in the workplace.
"We just learned about laminar flow in class, and now we’re seeing it being used at Metagenome Bio, a real-life lab. This trip exposed us to opportunities we wouldn’t have known about otherwise." –Adelaide Bray, 4th year Science and business student
Externships
ExCEL externships take students on exclusive tours of science-focused companies, providing them with a unique opportunity to interact with industry professionals and successful alumni.
Externships not only give students a first-hand look at the potential applications of their studies but also offer a platform for networking and mentorship.
Launched in January 2025, previous externship visits have brought students to:
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Having the students visit the Elastochem facility was an incredible experience. The externship program that À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Science has developed is impressive—it gives students exposure to career opportunities they might not have otherwise considered. I wish my own university had offered something like this when I was a student!
How do I participate in the ExCEL initiative?
Student Participation
Registration preference for externships will be given to students who have not previously participated in an externship during that term, to allow for more students to participate. Additionally, preference will be given to students studying in the departments targeted with each externship theme.
New externship opportunities will be announced on this webpage, as well as in classes with relevant connections to each individual externship theme.
For more information on student participation in externships, please reach out to Briton Burgio, Science’s events manager.
Company Involvement
Alumni, donors, and business leaders play an essential role in shaping the ExCEL program, offering mentorship and insights that help students make informed decisions about their futures. Give back to the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ community by sharing your knowledge and career journeys with the next generation of scientists.
Contact Meaghan Middleton, the Director of Science Advancement if you, or your company, are interested in learning more about becoming involved with the ExCEL program.