The Sacred Heart Greenwich Externship Program gives Upper School students the opportunity to explore real-world careers while forming meaningful connections with alumnae and parents in the Sacred Heart community. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, the program allows participants to spend one or two days shadowing professionals in fields such as finance, design, medicine, law, film, and media. Through these immersive experiences, students gain insights into different industries and discover which career paths align with their interests and goals.
Mrs. Jennifer Bensen, Associate Head of School for Student Life, Mrs. Meghan Ryan, Director of Alumnae Relations, and Miss Karen Panarella, Assistant Head of Upper School for Community Engagement, first introduced the program in the summer of 2023. The program initially targeted rising juniors and seniors, and the externship program expanded the following year to include rising sophomores. Students match with parents or alumnae hosts based on their areas of interest and have the chance to learn directly from accomplished professionals.
Externships are available both in person and virtually, with students traveling to locations including New York City, Greenwich, Stamford, White Plains, and New Haven. These experiences help strengthen the Sacred Heart network by connecting current students with mentors who share their time, experiences, and advice.
Mrs. Bensen oversees the externship placements, pairing students with hosts whose jobs match their career aspirations. She emphasized that externships not only inspire students but also prepare them for life beyond King Street by building confidence and offering valuable professional exposure.
Last summer, senior Torin Witek participated in an externship within the sports industry, shadowing Dr. Lani Lawrence, sports psychologist and Director of Wellness and Clinical Services of the New York Giants. She explored the team’s facilities, met industry professionals, and gained firsthand experience in seeing day-to-day team operations and strategy. Torin recalled her day with the Giants.
“One thing I took away from my experience was how many people it takes to run a high-level sports team,” Torin said. “Dr. Lawrence took me to the media room, which is something I am really passionate about, and that is something I will never forget.”
Other students pursued externships in media. Senior Victoria Whiteley shadowed Ms. Sandra Smith at Fox News, learning about the behind-the-scenes production and daily efforts that go into putting on a broadcast. Victoria explained her interaction with professionals in the media field and got an inside look at the Fox Newsroom.
“This is my second externship, and I would recommend everyone try an externship not only for the amazing real-world experience, but for the potential relationships you can build,” Victoria said. “Externships are so unique in the sense that they offer real-world experience working with professionals in the field you are interested in without the pressures of a real internship.”
Across all fields of work, students found that these short yet impactful opportunities provided a clearer sense of direction as they think about college majors and potential career paths. For many students, their externships also highlighted the value of mentorship and the lasting power of Sacred Heart’s alumnae network. By connecting students with inspiring role models and real-world experiences, the Sacred Heart Greenwich Externship Program embodies the school’s mission of educating confident, compassionate women ready to lead in any field. Torin reflected on her externship experience.
“I never did an externship until this summer, and I wish I did it sooner,” Torin said. “It’s an amazing opportunity to see how people work and different potential career paths. Overall, I had a great time, and I would definitely recommend experiencing this program.”
Featured Image by Emma Mathews ’27
