Rice University’s Owl Edge Externship Program offers students a unique opportunity to explore various career paths through hands-on, short-term learning experiences. Managed by the Center for Career Development, the program connects students with alumni and professionals in industries across the world, providing them with insights into the daily workings of companies, networking opportunities and a chance to develop valuable professional skills.
For Richard Bosch, a freshman majoring in electrical and computer engineering with minors in data science and entrepreneurship, the externship was a game-changer. Bosch, who aspires to work in the fields of deep space exploration and robotics, did his externship through Free Form Fibers, a materials manufacturing company in Saratoga Springs, New York. He was hosted by Shay Harrison, a Rice alumnus and CEO of the company.
“I’ve always been interested in space,” Bosch said. “Watching SpaceX land its first rocket booster back in 2020 was when I realized I wanted to dive into robotics and programming. That’s why I came to Rice with Houston’s proximity to NASA and SpaceX.”
Bosch’s externship gave him a firsthand look at how a startup in the aerospace and defense sector operates. He worked closely with the team, observing technical tasks such as designing printed circuit boards, which are crucial for space technology. Bosch is also the avionics lead for Rice’s rocketry team, Rice Eclipse, which he says is working toward sending a rocket to the edge of space — a feat only one other university has accomplished.
“The externship was incredibly hands-on,” Bosch said. “I was able to witness the production process at Free Form Fibers, and I learned from the CEO and engineers about the importance of perseverance in startup culture. This experience has already shaped my work on Rice’s space program.”
Frankie Fu, a freshman majoring in creative writing and math economics, also had her career horizons broadened through the Owl Edge program. Fu participated in externships with Corient, a wealth advisory firm, hosted by Rice alumni Jun Gu and Adam Goldenberg; and Accenture, a global consulting company, hosted by Rice alumni Bertrand Odinet and Tawfik Jarjour. Fu’s externships gave her insights into finance and business strategy, areas she’s interested in exploring.
“At Corient, I learned about wealth advisory and investment management,” Fu said. “It was really helpful to expand my knowledge of finance. At Accenture, I saw how the firm creates models for clients and learned about the various departments involved in strategic consulting. The alumni connections I made were invaluable. It was amazing to see how Rice alumni, even in such large companies, stay connected and help each other.”
Fu’s externship experiences not only gave her professional insights but also reinforced the importance of networking.
“At Accenture, I was walking through the office with our host when he pointed out other Rice alumni in the company,” she said. “That sense of community was really special — it made me feel like I could always reach out for advice or guidance.”
Faith Zhang, a sophomore majoring in computer science and operations research, also benefited from the Owl Edge program. Zhang participated in externships with NASDAQ and TikTok, two companies central to the tech industry. Her NASDAQ experiences were hosted by Francisco Herrero, the company’s vice president of application development and a Rice parent, while her TikTok externship was hosted by Claire Xiong, senior product strategist and a Rice MBA alumna.
Through these externships, Zhang gained valuable experience learning about the intersection of business and technology.
“My NASDAQ externship was virtual, and I learned about how technical and business needs are combined to meet client demands,” Zhang said. “It gave me a great idea of what my future career could look like. At TikTok, I shadowed a business strategist, and I got to sit in on meetings. It was fascinating to see how different teams collaborate to make things happen. It also helped me realize that there are many roles in the tech industry beyond software engineering.”
Zhang’s experience underscores the Owl Edge program’s ability to connect students to key players in their fields.
“The direct connection with mentors is definitely the most valuable part of the program,” she said. “My host at TikTok has offered to write recommendation letters for me in the future, and I made some solid professional connections.”
The Owl Edge Externship Program plays a crucial role in helping students make informed decisions about their careers by offering direct exposure to industries and job roles. Students benefit not only from hands-on experiences but also from the power of networking with professionals and alumni, allowing them to build relationships that can last well beyond the externship.
“As a student without a lot of industry connections, the Owl Edge program was a great way to network and get a feel for the industries I’m interested in,” Zhang said. “It’s definitely one of the best ways to gain real-world exposure as a Rice student.”
Made possible with funding from the Moody Experience Travel Fund, the program is open to all current Rice students across all disciplines, including masters and doctoral students, and offers a variety of externship opportunities, helping build the skills, knowledge and connections necessary for success in their chosen careers.
To learn more about applying to be a student extern, visit ccd.rice.edu/students/explore-majors-careers/externships — or to mentor your own Rice externs, visit https://ccd.rice.edu/employers/externships.