Extern
Extern is a consumer education company based in New York, NY, and operates remotely, specializing in providing flexible, remote Externships to help students and early talent gain real work experience and discover career paths.
Company History
Extern, originally founded as Paragon One, initially focused on career coaching and guidance. The company later pivoted to offer Externships, inventing the remote Externship model. This innovative form allows for real work experience with integrated learning, aiming to make professional experiences accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime.
Mission and Vision
Extern's mission is to help anyone discover and launch their career through professional experiences available anywhere, anytime. The company envisions a world where work experience is accessible as a form of education regardless of background, experience, or socio-economic status. Extern focuses on driving rapid mobility and upskilling for a new economy.
Services
Extern offers remote Externships, allowing participants to gain real-world business project experience from various companies. The program is designed to be flexible, accommodating 10-15 hours a week, and spans fields such as consulting, marketing, sales, product management, and finance. Its platform helps companies run scalable professional experiences without the burden of staffing, setup, and support while ensuring equitable access to work experience for students.
Industry Experts and Backing
Extern is backed by notable investors including Foundation Capital, University Ventures, Learn Capital, YCombinator, and Jason Calacanis’ Launch Fund. The company leverages software and industry experts to streamline the Externship process for both students and companies, ensuring a seamless experience.
Impact and Reach
Extern has created and powered Externships for companies ranging from Fortune 500s to startups, enabling tens of thousands of students to build real work experience. The company has served over 20,000 externs, many of whom have landed jobs or internships with Fortune 1000 companies. Externships can last between 2 to 8 weeks, with participants expected to invest about 10-15 hours per week.