Students

See yourself in WNY this summer. If you’re a local college sophomore, UB can match you with one of Western New York’s top companies for an externship the summer after your sophomore year, even if you’re not a UB student. You’ll earn $4,000 (and course credit) as you gain experience and explore career paths, with opportunities throughout WNY.

On this Page

Summer 2025 Applications Now Open

Deadline to apply is Friday, January 31, 2025.

2024 WNY SEE Participants

>> Learn more about the 2024 WNY SEE student participants 

Most Local College Sophomores Are Eligible

This program is open to students from all majors with sophomore standing, including: 

  • UB sophomores. 
  • Sophomores at other WNY universities and colleges. 
  • Sophomores who went to high school in WNY.

Students who are curious, creative, and want to gain new skills are strongly encouraged to apply.

Sulayman Ceesay portrait.
“Having the opportunity to do an internship as a sophomore where the expectation isn’t to be the best, but to be the best you and focus on growing and learning… I can’t even begin to describe [how] valuable that is.”
10/30/24

Sulayman Ceesay, Extern at StepWise

Madison Batiz portrait.
“I got to work for a Black-owned business which aligns with who I am as a Black woman. It was empowering to work for a Black woman-owned business.”
10/30/24

Madison Batiz, Extern at Twipes

Morgan Grandberry portrait.
“Before this experience, I was almost narrow-minded to the opportunities for growth for nurses in a hospital. Now… I’m going to continue to work on developing the skills I've observed nurse leaders exhibit…”
10/30/24

Morgan Grandberry, Extern at Kaleida Health

Rhiannon Furey portrait.
“It was cool to see my solution in the works and listened to, regardless of my status on the team.”
10/30/24

Rhiannon Furey, Extern at Tresca Design

Stephanie Newberger portrait.
“I really enjoyed networking with other students who were also entering their first professional experience, knowing we were all in it together.”
10/30/24

Stephanie Newberger, Extern at the Buffalo Zoo

Margaret Bace portrait.
“I sometimes forget that there are so many different activities and different experiences that the city has to offer. It makes me want to spend more time exploring around downtown Buffalo.”
10/30/24

Margaret Bace, Extern at FoodNerd

Amrita Ganapathy portrait.
“I loved making new friends and connections, and I will hopefully be working for my company again during the semester.”
10/30/24

Amrita Ganapathy, Extern at AMPAworks

previous next

Earn While You Learn

As an extern, you get paid $4,000 to gain experience, build your network, develop your leadership skills, and see how you can make a difference in our community. You also earn one course credit through UB (pass/fail), as well as a micro-credential you can put on LinkedIn and your resume.  

100% Success Rate

100% of students who participated in the first year of the program felt more prepared for future professional experiences.

Host Organizations

These organizations hosted externs in 2024.

  • ACV Auctions
  • AMPAworks
  • Breadcrumb Analytics
  • Buffalo Zoo
  • Chautauqua Institute
  • Cyber Hygiene Academy
  • Cytocybernetics
  • Finta
  • FoodNerd
  • Harmac Medical Products
  • JP Food Trucks LLC
  • JSA Logistics Inc.
  • Kaleida Health
  • M&T Bank
  • NOCO Energy Corp.
  • People Inc.
  • Redprint
  • REES Technologies Inc.
  • Stepwise
  • TechBuffalo
  • Tresca Design
  • Twipes
  • UB Facilities
  • West Herr Automotive Group
  • WTS, Inc.

Information Sessions

Ready to Apply?

What will i need to apply?

  • Unofficial High School Transcript
  • Unofficial College/University Transcript
  • Resume

Application - Next Steps

Application are now open now until January 31, 2025. Students will be notified in mid to late February if they have been selected for an interview; selected students will be notified of their selection and placement in mid April.

Application link for UB Students
I'm a UB Student and I'm ready to apply!

Once in the Scholarship Portal Search “WNY Sophomore Externship Experience” and then sign in to apply.

Application deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Application link for non-UB students
I'm a non-UB Student and I'm ready to apply!

Application deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.

Need Help?

Startup and Innovation Collaboratory

Student Life

University at Buffalo
340 Student Union, North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260

Phone: (716) 645-8111

What to Expect

Your externship takes place over nine weeks from June 2–July 31 for approximately 25 hours a week. You can plan to spend: 

  • Majority of hours spent onsite with a company
    • Typically, Monday-Thursday.
    • Students will be paired at host sites, which means you and one other extern will be at the company.
  • A subset of hours, typically on Friday, will be used for a weekly meet-up or virtual meeting with other college students
    • During these social activities (such as Food Truck Tuesdays, Shakespeare in the Park and an Explore Buffalo Tour of Silo City), you’ll learn more about everything the Buffalo-Niagara region has to offer. 
  • We plan to match students with businesses based on each student’s interests and major.

There will also be an orientation experience in early June, where you can meet fellow student externs, build your professional skills, and learn more about what to expect during your externship.

What Is an Externship?

An externship can make students more competitive for future internships, fellowships, jobs and other opportunities. Externships typically happen earlier in a student’s college career and during a shorter period than an internship. Externs may work on a specific project rather than have longer-term responsibilities.

Photo Gallery

The WNY Sophomore Externship Experience @ UB is supported through an annual gift from the Prentice Family Foundation. It is operated by the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad with support from numerous campus partners.