Southern Illinois University hosts an Externship program during Spring Break. Each year, over 150 SIU students complete externships throughout the U.S.

Selected students are matched with SIU alumni and friends during the week to have a job shadowing experience in their chosen field. The program engages students in on the job experience, helps them develop professional contacts and real-world knowledge, and provides answers to their career questions.

Priority Staffing Group’s Finance Department hosted two students this year for the program. Allison Miller and Wendi Gao shadowed Celesta Bowers, Finance Manager.

Allison Miller, an Economics major from Robinson, Illinois, is expected to graduate in December 2019.

She applied for this program to get some real-world experience and help narrow down what she wants to do with her degree.

Allison says “after college, I plan on entering the workforce. This program will give me skills and contacts I can use going forward in my career.”

Wendi Gao, from Shandong, China, is an accounting major who will graduate in May this year.

“I want to gain more hands-on experience,” Wendy said. She wants to work in an accounting firm as an auditor after she graduates and hopes this experience will help improve her communication and cooperation skills, ultimately getting her closer to achieving her goals.

“I will learn how to deal with accounts and journals in the workplace, which can help me to get a deeper understanding of accounting,” Wendy said.

We are happy to host this year’s Externs and wish them the best for their futures!