For Country Day seniors, the Senior Externship Program is more than a day away from campus—it’s an opportunity to step into professional spaces, ask real questions, and see how passions, purpose, and possibility intersect beyond the classroom.
Each year, seniors are matched with community professionals across a wide range of industries, from medicine, finance, and design to entrepreneurship, engineering, and technology. Students gain exposure, career perspective, and insight into the many paths that can lead to fulfilling work they had no idea about.
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.
A Full-Circle Moment in the NICU
Emma Grace Hefner ’26 | Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
Emma Grace Hefner’s externship experience was deeply personal—and profoundly impactful.
Born at 29 weeks and weighing just 1 pound, 12 ounces, Emma Grace spent the first three months of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Through the Senior Externship Program, she had the extraordinary opportunity to return to the very unit where her life began, shadowing Dr. Matthew Saxonhouse—a former Country Day parent—and the nurses who care for the hospital’s smallest and most vulnerable patients.
“It was a full-circle moment,” Emma Grace said, noting that some of the doctors working that day had actually cared for her as a newborn.
Throughout the externship, Emma Grace attended a physician planning meeting, spent the day alongside nurses and doctors in the NICU, observed a high-risk delivery, and gained a firsthand look at the compassion, teamwork, and expertise required in neonatal care. Seeing premature babies who weighed nearly the same as she once did was especially meaningful and solidified her passion for nursing.
Inspired by the experience, Emma Grace plans to major in nursing after graduating from Country Day, with hopes of becoming a NICU nurse herself—supporting premature babies and families during some of their most critical moments.
“This hands-on experience is something you can’t learn in a classroom,” Emma Grace said. “It opened my eyes to the incredible impact healthcare professionals have not just on patients, but on entire families. I’m super grateful for the Senior Externship, and I'm excited to start my own nursing journey.”
"It is amazing how Emma Grace was here 18 years ago," said Dr. Saxonhouse. "A few of the staff members and nurses remembered her! We truly hope she fulfills her goals of becoming a NICU nurse, as we would love to have her here!"
Seeing Medicine Through a Wider Lens
Alex Hedrick ’26 | Atrium Health Levine Children’s Congenital Heart Center
For Alex Hedrick, whose interests lie in medicine, the externship offered a front-row seat to pediatric healthcare—and a deeper understanding of the teamwork behind it.
Spending the day at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Congenital Heart Center, Alex shadowed physicians and specialists, observed patient appointments, and even watched surgeons operate on a baby’s heart. Yet what stood out most was not a single procedure, but the collective effort required to care for patients.
“I was most surprised by the sheer number of jobs it takes to provide impactful care to just one group of patients—and many of them were roles I never knew existed,” said Alex.
From genetic counselors and social workers to music therapists supporting young patients and families, Alex saw how compassion and collaboration shape outcomes. The experience also shifted her thinking about pediatrics, a field she once thought would be too emotionally challenging.
“Coming away from my externship, I felt inspired to be a difference maker in the lives of children, specifically. I learned that career paths are rarely linear. Many of the professionals I talked with have had many different jobs and have found their niche by taking advantage of opportunities, asking questions, and not being afraid to make changes and take risks. As I head to college, I know this lesson will be important as I start to build more connections and work to hone my own interests."
Building Ideas Into Reality
Evelyn Turner ’26 | Unlock Labs
Evelyn Turner’s externship at Unlock Labs was fast-paced, highly collaborative, and rooted in real-world problem-solving. During an Innovation Day focused on entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and AI, students worked in teams to identify challenges, develop startup concepts, and build functional prototypes—all in a matter of hours.
Evelyn’s team created Carpal, a carpooling app designed specifically for teens, addressing safety, accessibility, and traffic concerns within the Charlotte community.
“What stood out to me most was learning how much goes into building a product beyond just having a good idea,” Evelyn said.
Guided by mentors and hands-on experimentation, she explored the complexities of trust, privacy, safety, logistics, and long-term sustainability.
"The creativity, curiosity, and let’s-just-try-it energy students brought into the room was inspiring," externship host Farrell Hudzik of Unlock Labs said. "Watching them take ideas, pressure-test them, and turn them into real products in such a short amount of time was impressive; and honestly, a reminder of why we love doing this work."
“This experience allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship and showed me how creativity, technology, and collaboration can come together to solve real-world problems in amazing ways,” Evelyn said.
Engineering in Action
William Haggart ’26 | Hendrick Motorsports
William Haggart’s externship offered a behind-the-scenes look at what a future in engineering can look like in a real-world setting.
During his visit to Hendrick Motorsports, William toured multiple facilities involved in building and maintaining race cars—from assembly and carbon-fiber fabrication to engine construction and testing. During a tour of the technical center, he spoke directly with engineers about their roles, career paths, and the collaboration required to keep elite racing teams competitive.
By the end of the day, William gained a clearer picture of the skills, responsibilities, and opportunities available in engineering, along with valuable insight that will help shape his future academic and career decisions.
“The technical center showed me what an engineering job is really like and provided great insight into what a future in engineering could look like,” William said. "I got much more context, I learned what kind of jobs I could get, what the work would entail, and most importantly, it was an authentic experience."
Creativity, Organization, and the Art of Design
Harper White ’26 | Anne Pearson Design
For Harper White, the externship provided clarity about how her creativity could translate into a long-term career.
After exploring fashion design abroad, Harper realized she was drawn to the design process itself—and chose interior design for her externship. Shadowing Anne Pearson Hammet of Anne Pearson Design, Harper spent the day selecting materials, visiting project sites, and exploring showrooms.
“Before this experience, I didn’t realize how many details go into designing a home. Seeing how paint, fabric, tile, and furniture all work together was one of my favorite parts of the day,” said Harper.
Beyond aesthetics, Harper gained insight into budgeting, project management, and client needs—learning how creativity and structure work hand in hand.
“This experience gave me a better understanding of how creativity and organization work together for this job, and I am excited to pursue a career in interior design in the future.”
Natalie HutchinsonDean of Students and Externship Coordinator
"The Senior Externship Program helps students bridge the gap between school and the wider world—building confidence, curiosity, and clarity as they prepare for college and beyond. Just as importantly, it strengthens the ties between Country Day and the broader community, reminding students that meaningful learning happens everywhere."