Extern (extern.com) is a remote externship platform designed to bridge the experience gap for students and early-career professionals by making professional work experience accessible anytime, anywhere. Extern partners with companies to create project-based, virtual work experiences—known as Externships—that are easier for students to access and more scalable for employers than traditional internships.
Extern was founded out of a pivot from Paragon One (W17) and is backed by Y Combinator, Foundation Capital, Launch Fund, University Ventures, and Learn Capital. Since 2020, Extern has enabled tens of thousands of students to build real-world experience through partnerships with organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies to startups.
What technology and trends enable Extern’s remote externship platform?
Extern leverages a proprietary software platform and a network of industry experts to make the process of running externships turnkey for employers. The system manages logistics, project scoping, student onboarding, and progress tracking, allowing companies to offer real, short-term, project-based work experiences to hundreds of students with less resource investment than a traditional internship program. This approach addresses market trends such as:
- The growing demand for remote and flexible work-based learning opportunities
- The increasing difficulty for graduates to access entry-level roles due to rising experience requirements
- The need for scalable, accessible alternatives to internships that do not rely on students’ social capital or geographic proximity
Extern’s model supports rapid upskilling and career mobility, reflecting a shift toward work experience as a critical component of modern education.
Who uses Extern?
Extern’s platform serves:
- Students and recent graduates seeking practical, resume-building work experience to help launch their careers
- Employers ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies looking to scale talent pipelines, drive brand engagement, and support workforce diversity initiatives
- Educational institutions and career services seeking accessible experiential learning opportunities for their students
Extern’s programs have enabled tens of thousands of participants to gain experience and open doors to new opportunities, regardless of background or location.
Who are Extern’s competitors?
Extern operates in the remote internship and work-based learning space. Key competitors and platforms include:
- Virtual Internships: Provides guaranteed remote internships matched with global host companies across various industries.
- The Intern Group: Offers award-winning virtual internship programs enabling students to work remotely with international organizations.
- Google and Amazon: Large tech companies with established remote and in-person internship programs, typically more competitive and resource-intensive.
- Riipen: Focuses on project-based internships and work-integrated learning experiences, helping institutions and employers manage scalable, remote programs.
Extern differentiates itself by focusing on scalable, turnkey externships that lower barriers for both students and employers, aiming to make work experience as accessible as possible.
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