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See yourself in WNY this summer. If you’re a local college sophomore, you can apply to be matched with one of Western New York’s top companies for an externship the summer after your sophomore year, even if you’re not a UB student. You’ll earn $4,000 (and course credit) as you gain experience and explore career paths, with opportunities throughout WNY.
A Unique Paid Opportunity
- For college sophomores
- Earn $4,000 and course credit
- 25 hours per week for June and July
- On-site experience Monday-Thursday
- Professional development every Friday
On this Page
Summer 2026 Applications
- Open now
- Close: Jan. 23, 2026
This program is open to students from all majors with sophomore standing. You can apply if you are a:
- UB sophomore.
or - Sophomore at another WNY university or college.
or - Sophomore who went to high school in WNY.
Please read the eligibility details below for more information.
A Competitive Program
We start with the available openings from each organization, then look for the best student to fill each position. If you are accepted into the program, you will be matched with an organization based on your interests and major — as well as the potential for your career development and growth. This is a competitive application process, and we look for students who are curious, creative and want to gain new skills.
Not for International Students
This program is only open to U.S. Citizens or students holding permanent residency. International students are not eligible.
- Students who are eligible include:
- Students enrolled at the University at Buffalo.
- Students enrolled at other universities/colleges in Western New York (WNY).
- Students enrolled in college outside WNY who earned a high school diploma from a WNY high school. (Please note that high school transcripts will be required for in-state/out-of-state tuition purposes. Please see the UB Student Accounts website for more information.)
- WNY includes the following counties: Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.
- Applicants must:
- Currently be enrolled as a sophomore in college, having first enrolled in Fall ’24.
- Be in their third or fourth semester of college upon application to the program.
- Complete their fourth semester prior to the commencement of the program.
- Students need to be in good academic standing, with a minimum 2.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
As an extern, you get paid $4,000 to gain experience, build your network, develop your leadership skills, and see how you can make a difference in our community. You also earn one course credit through UB (pass/fail), as well as a micro-credential you can put on LinkedIn and your resume. Many externs have also received a follow-up internship offer with their host company.
Students Pay for One Credit Hour
Students must pay tuition for one credit hour and associated fees. This tuition payment is automatically taken out of the checks that students receive.
Students receive the equivalent of $4,000, paid as a scholarship for completing the externship and professional development activities. Payments are made in three disbursements, scheduled between the program start and end of July (in accordance with add/drop dates and tuition/billing cycle). Because the one-credit tuition payment is automatically deducted from these payments, the actual amount students receive will be $4,000 minus the one-credit tuition rate and fees.
100% Success Rate
100% of students “feel more prepared for their next internship” as a result of participating in the WNY SEE program.
25 Hours Per Week for June and July
Your externship takes place over nine weeks from June 1–July 31 for approximately 25 hours a week.
Monday-Thursday: 5 Hours per Day at Your Host Site
You’ll work on site at the organization Monday through Thursday, approximately 5 hours per day. Students will be paired at host sites, which means you and one other extern will be at the company.
Friday: 5 Hours of Social Events and Professional Development
Every Friday, instead of going to your work site, you’ll meet your fellow externs and UB staff for a professional development session. Here, you’ll learn how to network more effectively, find new opportunities and position yourself for success after graduation.
You’ll also get to learn more about everything the Buffalo-Niagara region has to offer—and how you can contribute—through popular events such as:
- College, Career, Community - Resume development and professional networking workshop
- Explore Buffalo downtown scavenger hunt
- TechBuffalo Community Design Challenge
- Opportunities to explore other city landmarks including Silo City, KeyBank Center and Delaware Park
Orientation at the Start
There will also be an orientation experience at the start of the program where you can meet fellow student externs, build your professional skills, and learn more about what to expect during your externship.
- Students in the program may enroll in up to six additional credit hours for the summer.
- You may also work additional jobs, as long as you are available for the externship (plan on five hours a day during business hours — plus travel time — Monday through Friday).
- You are responsible for your own transportation.
- Students are responsible for their housing accommodations. Information about housing options and how to apply for housing at UB is available on the Campus Living website.
These organizations have hosted externs.
- ACV Auctions
- AMPAWorks
- Breadcrumb Analytics
- Buffalo Museum of Science
- Catholic Charities
- Chautauqua Institution
- City of Buffalo, Planning & Zoning
- City of Buffalo, Division of Development
- Cyber Hygiene Academy
- Cytocybernetics
- Dent Neurologic Institute
- Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
- Explore & More
- FeedMore WNY
- Finta
- FoodNerd
- Goodwill of WNY
- Guidesly
- Harmac Medical Products
- Horizon Health
- HVR Advanced Power Components
- Jericho Road Community Health Services
- JP Food Trucks
- JSA Logistics
- Kaleida Health
- Kevin Guest House
- LenderLogix
- M&T Bank
- NOCO Energy Corp
- People Inc.
- Plesh Contract Packaging
- Radial Ventures
- Redprint Fit
- REES Technologies Inc.
- Seneca-Babcock Community Association
- Shea's Performing Arts Center
- StepWise
- TechBuffalo
- Tresca Group Inc.
- Twipes
- UB Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology Clinic
- UB Facilities, Design and Construction
- UB Facilities - Environment, Health & Safety
- West Herr Automotive Group
- WTS
- Zoological Society of Buffalo
What will I need to apply?
- Unofficial High School Transcript
- Unofficial College/University Transcript
- Resume
Current UB Students
Apply through the UB Scholarship Portal.
- Use the blue “Sign In” button (top right) with your UBITName and password to access the UB Scholarship Portal
- Once you’re logged in, search “WNY Sophomore Externship Experience Student Support” to access and complete your application.
Non-UB Students
Apply through StartupTree.
Need Help?
Startup and Innovation Collaboratory
Student Life
340 Student Union
50 Lee Road
Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: 716-645-8111
An externship can make students more competitive for future internships, fellowships, jobs and other opportunities. Externships typically happen earlier in a student’s college career and during a shorter period than an internship. Externs may work on a specific project rather than have longer-term responsibilities.
Learn More about SEE
The WNY Sophomore Externship Experience at UB is funded by The Bryant Foundation, and operated by the Startup and Innovation Collaboratory with support from numerous campus partners. Initial funding was provided by the Prentice Family Foundation.