![Learning Beyond the Classroom Through the Senior Externship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1771419878/charlottecds/dsnmmvwns7frfazenmqu/EmmaGraceHefnerandDrSaxonhouseexternship.jpg","width":2200}])
Senior Externship Program
Real-World Experiences Beyond the Classroom
The Senior Externship Program offers seniors a meaningful, one-day immersion into professional life—connecting student interests with real work, real people, and real impact across our community.
Through job shadowing and mentorship, students explore potential career paths, apply classroom learning in authentic settings, and gain perspective on who they are and who they may become.
Launched in 2017, the Senior Externship Program has partnered with more than 175 local employers across 20+ industries. Many hosts are Country Day parents, alumni, and friends who generously share their time, expertise, and professional insight. These experiences are designed to help students explore career possibilities, learn from working professionals, and understand the many paths leading to meaningful work.
Katie SmallDirector of Marketing, Penn Mutual
I wanted to express our gratitude for being able to share in the Externship experience. It is always rewarding to share what we do – especially those who have an interest in how we serve not only our clients, but our communities. Your students represented Charlotte Country Day very well. We were impressed with their attitudes, questions, and professionalism. It speaks volumes about how Country Day is preparing their students for the real world and beyond."
Become a Host
We invite parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, and friends of Country Day to inspire and mentor our motivated seniors by serving as Externship hosts. Share your passion and expertise while showcasing your organization and strengthening connections within the Country Day community.
Externships typically take place each January and are a meaningful way to help students explore career paths and apply their learning to the real world.
Student Experiences
![Seniors at Great Southern Bank]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1738787452/charlottecds/zflx7nwvr0vcjqnqhogn/BenjaminFarnham_thumbnail.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1738787452/charlottecds/zflx7nwvr0vcjqnqhogn/BenjaminFarnham_thumbnail.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1738787452/charlottecds/zflx7nwvr0vcjqnqhogn/BenjaminFarnham_thumbnail.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1738787452/charlottecds/zflx7nwvr0vcjqnqhogn/BenjaminFarnham_thumbnail.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1738787452/charlottecds/zflx7nwvr0vcjqnqhogn/BenjaminFarnham_thumbnail.jpg","width":1499}])
![Grace and her Senior Externship]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1706555014/charlottecds/pshcbth1zehe5wjwohfj/BadgerSports_square.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1706555014/charlottecds/pshcbth1zehe5wjwohfj/BadgerSports_square.png","width":357}])
![Senior Externship: Connecting with Real-World Experiences]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1675343667/charlottecds/mqdqnljhu85ghshvrubh/NovantNeurosurgery_square.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1675343667/charlottecds/mqdqnljhu85ghshvrubh/NovantNeurosurgery_square.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1675343667/charlottecds/mqdqnljhu85ghshvrubh/NovantNeurosurgery_square.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1675343667/charlottecds/mqdqnljhu85ghshvrubh/NovantNeurosurgery_square.jpg","width":1056}])
Natalie HutchinsonDean of Students and Externship Coordinator
Through the Senior Externship, our students immerse themselves in real-life scenarios, fostering connections with our community. It's heartening to witness parents, alumni, and friends of the school plan innovative and enjoyable avenues for seniors to learn about professions and embrace learning beyond the conventional classroom. I'm truly grateful for our community's eagerness to generously share their time, skills, and enthusiasm."
What Externs Do
Each externship experience is unique, but activities often include:
- Touring your organization
- Attending staff meetings
- Observing client interactions
- Having lunch with team members
- Discussing current trends in your field
- Exploring career paths within your industry
- Hosting a Q&A or mentoring conversation
Externship Participants
We extend a heartfelt thank you to the following employers for their generous participation in our Senior Externship Program:
Aderis Energy
Alexander Ricks PLLC
Ali McPhail Interior Design
Ally Financial
Anne Pearson Design
Asana Partners
Athlete By Design
Atrium Health Charlotte Pediatric Clinic
Atrium Health Levine Children's Congenital Heart Center
Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital
Atrium Health Levine Children's University Pediatrics
Atrium Health Piedmont OBGYN
Atrium Health Scope Anesthesia of NC
Avid Exchange
Avolta Development
Axios
Baird Private Wealth Management
Balfour Beatty Construction
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Bank of America Securities
Barings LLC
Benoit Law Firm
Berkeley Capital Advisors
Block, Inc.
BNA CPAS & Advisors
Brooke Adler Interiors
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
Burrow, Welchel, Culp Orthodontics
BWM Wealth Strategies
C Design, Inc.
Capitol
Carolina Asthma & Allergy Center
Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates
Carolinas Center for Oral and Facial Surgery
Carolinas Medical Center
Carolinas Skin Center
CaroMont Heart & Vascular
CBRE
Charlotte Country Day School
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates
Charlotte Family Housing
Charlotte Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Charlotte Hornets / Beasley Broadcasting
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
Charlotte OBGYN
Charlotte Pediatric Clinic Matthews
Charlotte Preparatory School
Charlotte Radiology
Charlotte Skin & Laser
Child Life, Therapeutic Play and Consulting
Choate Construction Company
Cliff C Smith DDS PA
Collett Capital
Compass Group
Conner Family Health Clinic
Corcoran HM Properties
Crown Castle
Custom Polymers Inc.
CWG Design
Dandelion Family Counseling
Davis Moore
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Department of Emergency Medicine
Dermatologic Surgery of the Carolinas, LLC
Dickens Mitchener Real Estate
Dilworth Animal Hospital
District Court Judge
Driven Brands
Duke Energy Corporation
EastCoast Entertainment & Middle C Jazz
Edifice Inc
Edison Foard Construction
Elite Functional Performance
ESPN
FAA
Federal Aviation Administration (Air Force)
Fifth Third Bank
First Citizens Bank
Fitch Irick Partners
For Goodness Cakes, LLC
Formula One Imports
Founder Sport Group
Front Porch Financial Advisory
GenerationNation
Gita Sporting Goods/Giordana Cycling
Global Endowment Management
Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery
Great Southern Bank
Grier, Furr & Crisp, P.A.
Harker, LLC
Hatcher Law Group
Haynes and Boone, LLP
Helen Adams Realty
Hendrick Automotive Group
HighPoint Solutions Inc
HKB Cosmetic Surgery
Horack Talley
Horizon Eye Care / Novant
Hospitality Logistics International
Hunstad Kortesis Plastic Surgery
Ingersoll Rand
Ingrid Wilson Narratives
Integrative Therapies
IOMAX USA
Ivy Citizens
JLL
James McElroy & Diehl
John M. Belk Endowment
K & L Gates
Kalons & Glidewell DDS PA General & Cosmetic Dentistry
Kim Brattain Media
Kimmery Fleischli, Author
KPMG LLP
La Storia Productions
Learning Charms
Living Life Wellness Center
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
Lucy Doswell Interiors
Madison Capital Group
Marcellino & Tyson, PLLC
Marcilliat & Mills
Merrill Lynch
Microsoft
Miller-Hogue Law Firm
Momentec Brands
MPV Properties, LLC
Myjive
N2 Publishing/Myers Park Life Magazine
NASCAR, Inc.
New Oasis International Education (Tower Bridge International)
North Carolina Business Court
North Carolina Department of Transportation
North Corner Haven
Nourish Up
Novant Health
Novant Health Barron Homesley
Novant Health Carmel OBGYN
Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute
Novant Health Maternal Fetal Medicine
Novant Health Mintview OB/GYN
Novant Outpatient Imaging Center
Novare Capital Management
Opera Carolina
OrthoCarolina
OurBridge
Pamlico Capital
Parkdale Mills
Phoenix Tower International
Piedmont Natural Gas
PIMCO Investments LLC
Plantation Animal Clinic
Premier Gynecology and Wellness/DJL Clinical Research
Premier Inc.
Procurri LLC
Proffitt Dixon + Partners
Queen City Magazine
Queens Road Value Funds
Queens University
RBC Capital Markets
Red Boot Coalition and Girls on the Run
Red Ventures
Regions Bank | Regions Securities
Resident Culture Brewing Company
Ridgemont Equity Partners
Robert Blaine Voiceover
Roberts Law Group
Rosenwood Rose & Litwak, PLLC
Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute Atrium Health
Schwartz & Stafford, P.A.
Selwyn Property Group, Inc.
Shain Gallery
The Charlotte Observer
The Foundation For Tomorrow
The Knox Group
The Queen City Style
The Shroeder Studio
SouthTown Wake Park, LLC
SPARK Publications
Springs Creative
St. Aubin Law
State of NC
Stewart
Sun Counseling and Wellness
Supportive Housing Communities
Team 91 Charlotte Lacrosse
TIAA
Tile Redi
Tin Fulton Walker and Owen Law
Tribek Properties Inc.
Toolport US, Inc.
Truist Securities
Tryon Medical Partners
UBS Financial Services
UNC Charlotte
US Bank | US Bancorp
US Foods
US Naval War College
Valentine Orthopedic Specialists
Verizon Wireless
Veterans Bridge Home
Wake Forest School of Medicine Levine Children's Hospital
WCCB Charlotte
Wealth Enhancement Group
Webb & Goldsmith Orthodontics
Wells Fargo Commercial Real Estate
Wells Fargo Securities
Whistle Express Car Wash
Whitewater Middle School
Williams Automotive Group
WSC & Company