Your Audiology Externship Roadmap: What to Prepare & When

By Kaitlyn Marnien

Hello everyone! I hope you are enjoying the early parts of your summer. As we enter the warmer weather, it is time to start preparing for externship applications! As many of you know, the externship application process can be fairly overwhelming, but preparing materials prior and taking everything one step at a time will make the process much easier. Below, I have provided a sample timeline to give a reference for how this process works. Please be aware that each application process will be slightly different. Additionally, my graduate program is three years, so my timeline may be slightly different than that of a four-year program.

May/June – Meeting to Discuss Externship Applications

Around one year before I started my externship, my cohort met with our externship coordinator to learn about the general process of applying for externships. This included reviewing the application process, discussing required materials, and setting appropriate expectations.

Materials Needed:

• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a clinical rotation)
• CV/resume
• Cover letter
• Unofficial transcript

July/August – Applications Open/Interviews Start

I chose to submit applications through the Audiology Clinical Education Network (ACEN) and HEARCareers. In addition, if you are interested in a Veterans Administration (VA) hospital placement, you will be applying through a separate website. While externship placements may often show up on multiple websites, several are only found on one. I would recommend viewing all websites to have the greatest number of options. I also found Facebook, such as the Audiology 4^th Year Externships Group, to be a useful tool for locating sites accepting applications.

September – Applications Close/Offers Extended

If an externship site is following the ACEN timeline, you will start receiving interview and position offers in late September. Sites that do not follow ACEN may make offers sooner. It is encouraged that you only apply to sites you are willing to accept, because many sites will only provide a couple days to accept or decline an offer. In my situation, I was given four days to respond to the offer I ended up accepting. I recommend working with your externship coordinator if you are having trouble making a decision. It is important to note that there are several sites who will continue to extend offers into the winter and the following year. Remember, there are more externship sites than there are externs, so if you remain open minded and flexible, you’ll be sure to find a great fit!

Additional Resources

• AAA Resume Review Service
• National SAA Blog Externship Series
• National SAA Career Resources
• National SAA Externship Resources