"The ability to live and work with somebody, to go to work with somebody, to read the newspaper, to cook dinner together--it's the things that seem really minor that make this experience so valuable," Charno said.

"It was one of the best things I've done here," Charno added. "This was a rare find--I felt very lucky to be a part of it."

Seeing both professional and family components of an alumna's life is especially important for women, said Andrea H. Kurtz '01, who had an externship last spring break.

"I don't see how it could hold the same benefits for males, because I don't see them dealing with the same sort of divergence that some people encounter in choosing between pursuing a family directly after college and pursuing a career," she said.

Men may need to learn that juggling act too, but women have a more pressing need, said Susan C. Eaton '79, a Radcliffe researcher who specializes in family issues.

"There are different responsibilities that men and women tend to have," Eaton said. "[Externs] are watching [women] manage childcare, work, professional commitments at night, family concerns over the weekend."

Assistant Dean of the College Karen E. Avery '87 agreed that when the Harvard College Women's Initiative held a panel on career and family earlier this year, few men came. But she said she nevertheless made sure there was a man on the panel and that male students were welcome to attend.

"I think it's important for men to interact with the program," Avery said. "If we're going to support and enhance the position of women in our society, we have to educate the men...I think it's important to show men, 'Hey, this is your issue too.'"