At Delbarton School, the journey of education extends beyond the classroom walls, reaching into the dynamic realms of professional environments through the Delbarton Externship Program (DelEX). This innovative program creates a valuable opportunity for rising seniors to connect with alumni and parents, explore diverse career paths, and gain practical insights into various industries.

"DelEx is like nothing I have seen before. It was a great environment with great people who genuinely want to help you learn about these possible career paths. They are great mentors who came from the same place we did which allows us to connect with them more. I learned a tremendous of priceless information and advice I will never forget and I strongly suggest any rising senior takes full advantage of it in the future," one of our rising seniors said about his experience.

DelEX stands as a bridge between academic learning and the professional world, enabling students to interact directly with seasoned professionals. "It showed me an insight to the real world, something that most high school students will never experience till after college," reported another rising senior. Hosts, comprising alumni and parents of alumni, open their doors to welcome these eager learners. Whether through in-person visits or virtual sessions, these interactions provide students with an authentic glimpse into the workings of different industries.

"It has been an honor to carry on the DelEX Program following the retirement of its founder, Tom Brady P '22, last year," started new DelEX Administrator, Jim Gallombardo '81. "As a proud alumnus of the School, I was more than happy to guide this great and unique program. I was ably assisted by the unwavering commitment of my teammates, John Ahsler P '15, Mike Darche '10, Neil Murphy '07, Christian Zollers, and Mary Johnson."

Understanding the diverse needs and preferences of both hosts and students, DelEX offers flexible participation options. Hosts can choose to conduct sessions in person or via videoconferencing platforms such as Zoom. This adaptability ensures that a broad spectrum of professional fields can be represented, making the program accessible and inclusive. "DelEX is invaluable for our rising seniors in giving them insights into careers they would not get anywhere else. It is one of those hallmark programs that helps to make Delbarton the great school that it is," said Gallombardo. "The time and energy given to our students by our alumni and parents, while not surprising, is nonetheless refreshing. My sincere thanks to all those who helped make DelEX’24 such a great success and I am already looking forward to DelEX’25."

This year, Delbarton saw the enthusiastic involvement of 102 rising seniors with 43 DelEX hosts including alumni and parents. A total of 48 sessions were conducted, with 32 hosted at professional offices in New Jersey and New York, NY. There were 4 sessions hosted on the Delbarton campus, and 12 sessions held virtually via videoconferencing. "I love engaging with current students in a way that can directly impact their vision for their future," reported one host on their experience. We thank our hosts for their time and dedication! Your support makes DelEX a transformative experience for our students.

Check out more photos from our DelEX sessions below!