Even though this may sound like routine work, the externs say their tasks were minimal since both they and their sponsors wanted to focus on learning about careers.

"I was looking through the Congressional Record for things related to the Bureau of Patent and Trade. It was work in name only because it was fun," Chen says. She helped out only while observing Lourie in action. "My assignment was to talk to people and gain insight on their lives."

Chen, who wants to work within the federal government, says the experience gave her a well-rounded picture of federal workers' lives.

She says the people she met had come to the government by a variety of paths. They were open and told her about the pros and cons of their jobs. She saw their stress first-hand.

"You're accountable to a lot of people," Chen says. "But it's a great opportunity to make a difference."

Lourie says she did the program to give back to current undergraduates.

"I have been helped along by many people in many ways," Lourie says. "And I'm working in an unusual area, one that's not typical."

As an attorney adviser, Lourie drafts bills on intellectual property and works with other government agencies on domestic and international trade agreements.

For Elizabeth K. Ridlington '99, whose entrance to the working world is fast approaching, career exploration was an immediate concern. Ironically, her sponsor was in a similar situation.

Her sponsor, lawyer Jane Lexton, switched jobs midweek, giving Ridlington a chance to see life at both a small and large law firm.

Ridlington had never seen a lawyer in action before. Lexton multi-tasked like a pro--handling her own billing and other logistics. Ridlington says she learned that one of the drawbacks to a small firm is the need to perform such administrative tasks.

After Lexton made the switch, Ridlington saw a vastly different law office.

"It was a completely different set-up and support system. I felt like I was starting over too," Ridlington says.

In the process of shadowing, Ridlington sat in on conference calls, heard the members of the firm discuss hiring, talked to lawyers and read through Lexton's extern file. Some of the work surprised her.

"I figured I would be sitting, watching someone at a desk," Ridlington says. "But I thought there would be more face-to-face interaction with clients."