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Setting up a Flashternship - Student Steps

Follow these steps to create your own Flashternship experience!

1. Identify your alumni contact and connect with them for a job shadow or informational interview.
2. Participate in the job shadow or informational interview. 
3. Send confirmation of the experience (screenshot of email exchange or other similar proof) to flashternships@kent.edu.
4. Fill out required paperwork to receive funding!

If you are unable to identify an alumni to connect with, please schedule an Advising appointment to discuss networking or an internship search with a Career Advisor.

Schedule An Advising Appointment

“I was able to talk to the student leaders about how to start getting involved in media, so I found some interesting student opportunities to do on campus. Also, it was not only the networking event, but it so also an initial step to go after what I want”
-Janelle, Fashion Merchandising Freshman

FAQ for Students:

Who is eligible to do a Flashternship? 
Any Kent State student can experience a Flashternship. However, only freshmen and sophomores attending Kent Campus are eligible to earn $50 FLASHcash to help offset any costs incurred (transportation, housing, meals, etc.). To be eligible, qualifying students must complete a reflection with a CED Advisor after the Flashternship and submit a university gift reporting form linked .

How should I prepare for a Flashternship?

• Bring a notepad and pen, and write down some questions ahead of time.
• Dress professionally. “Professional” depends on the job/industry. When in doubt, ask your Career Advisor or even the person you are shadowing for advice.
• Pick a time to job shadow that works best for you. Also, consider the job's schedule. (For example, if you want to shadow a teacher, it will be hard to find one working in the summer.)

How often can I do a Flashternship?
There is no limit to the number of Flashternships you can do. However, due to the time involved in planning each job shadow, students are encouraged to make their Flashternships count!

Volunteer to host a Flashtern!

We are always looking for companies/organizations to serve as hosts for job shadow experiences for Kent State students. “Flashternships” are designed to be student-driven, meaning students need to take the initiative to express interest in a job shadow experience and seek out a Flashternship site. Prior to connecting with an employer, our Career Exploration & Development staff will help students identify interests and goals for a Flashternship. Employers who host a completed Flashternship are eligible for a discount to one Career Exploration and Development hosted Career Fair in the same fiscal year.

“We like the opportunity to help students trying to meet career goals.”
-Stephanie, Human Resources

If your company is interested in hosting a Flashtern, we ask that you:

• Have a passion to give back and help students as they explore possible careers
• Provide a welcoming and safe environment for our students to learn
• Be willing to host a student for a day or two (up to a week) in your place of business 
• Involve them in your day-to-day job in order to give students an overview of what your career entails
• Engage them in a project and/or activity you are currently working on (if possible/appropriate)
• Provide information about skills required, knowledge needed, and possible career paths for your occupation

Please contact 5X���� Career Exploration & Development at Flashternship@kent.edu to express your interest; we will work with you to collect more information. Flashternships are flexible to accommodate both our students and our host sites. 

This is an ongoing opportunity to connect with our students. Flashternships will be coordinated as students’ express interest. Dates and times will be determined between the student(s) and the host site.