Rutgers MBS Exchange logo, NJBDA logo, NJ Pathways logo

 

 

 

Rutgers MBS Externship Exchange

AND

New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA)/NJ Pathways

Joint Remote Externship Exchange Program

Accepting Undergraduate Applications Now for Summer 2025

What is an Externship?

Externships are opportunities for students to gain real experience in their field. Externships in this program are provided by the Rutgers MBS Externship Exchange Program in partnership with the New Jersey Big Data Alliance (NJBDA) and NJ Pathways. Upon successful completion, students are eligible for a $2,700 fellowship. Note: You must apply directly via the application link.

How is an Externship different from an Internship?

  • Externships are virtual semester-long experiential learning opportunities
  • Students are vetted and selected to participate in the program
  • Students attend a 5:05 PM Tuesday evening virtual class with other Externship teams – This is required
  • Students are engaged 10-15 hours per week remotely; 5 students will be selected for the project team
  • One or two Rutgers MBS Faculty Advisor(s) and a project Mentor will be assigned to the team.
  • Student’s home institution advisor(s), and NJBDA faculty/staff are invited to attend a final presentation
  • OPT/CPT Visa limitations DO NOT apply since this is a remote, off-campus project

What are the requirements to participate?

  • Students must be attending an NJBDA member college/university
  • Students must be in their junior or senior year of their undergraduate studies & have a GPA of 3.0+
    (Note: 2nd Year Community College students are eligible if nominated by a professor or faculty member)
  • You will be asked for the name and email of your professor (who referred you/suggested you apply) on the application
  • Students must have a Data Science, Business Analytics, Computer Science, or a related major; experience with data analytic software tools is recommended.
  • Students must apply and submit the required items via the NJBDA website by 11:59 PM May 6. Students will be asked about related courses, GPA, a personal statement indicating why they are interested in the Externship, relevant skills (Python, R, etc.); and their availability for weekly meetings.
  • Short virtual Interviews will be in mid-May; candidates receiving interviews will be informed if they have been selected or not by May 19.
  • Selected Students must be available beginning the week of May 27 and have availability each Tuesday evening from 5:05 pm – 6:35 pm for MANDATORY Externship Labs on professional development topics. Students will also attend virtual team meetings starting the first week in June. (Same time each week, TBD).

Summer 2025 Project Description:

NJBDA and NJ Pathways are collaborating on a Data Science Curriculum Alignment and Articulation Agreement Pathways Project. The goal of this Pathways project is for as many four-year colleges/universities and Community Colleges to come together and do such evaluations so that more credits of Community College graduates with Associate degrees in Data Science (or equivalent subjects) may be transferred into the Baccalaureate degree programs for courses other than electives. This can lead to more Community College graduate transfers (as opposed to them going straight into the workforce) into four-year colleges and universities and lower costs for those graduates overall.

  • Build upon work done by the three previous Externship teams (data to be provided)
  • Collect additional data as needed from 2-year or 4-year institutions with Data Science Programs or equivalent on courses (may include syllabi, prerequisites and learning objectives)
  • Find patterns and common threads to help merge the gap of credits being accepted and potentially obtain program-to-program articulation
  • Create visualizations and mappings of potential course pathways from 2 – 4-year schools
  • Dedicate time to both meetings and project work (total time is approximately 10 – 15 hrs/week) which included attending: 1) Weekly Tuesday Class/Leadership Lab from 5:05– 6:35 PM) 2) weekly meeting with other students, advisors, and mentor and 3) internal team meeting (students only) – all are virtual
  • Complete all externship requirements/assignments including various presentations
Through this project, potential program-to-program articulation in data science could be obtained with the discovery of one community college providing the appropriate prerequisites to transfer to a four-year institution’s data science program seamlessly. The project has the potential to provide insight to colleges into how well their programs meet the needs of their students and the steps they need to take to meet a general standard.

When will I be notified if I have been selected for the Externship?

  • You will be notified if you are selected for an interview by May 14. Interviews will be held May 15 & 16 (May 19 if needed); all candidates receiving interviews will be informed if they have been selected or not.

Interested?

APPLY HERE

Download printable PDF of flyer: MBS-NJBDA Externship General Information for Students Summer 2025