Matt Wilkerson

Co-founder & CEO - Extern (@ExternHQ), Co-Founder & CEO of Paragon One, Co-founder AHAlife, investor in @ClassPass, @OnMogul, @AccionSystems, @getBevi, @LedgerX

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Check out my latest article: Finding Product-Moment Fit https://t.co/eqCLwWBvKY via @LinkedIn

The early career system is breaking, and this time it’s not a metaphor. Internships are disappearing, degrees are losing value, and AI is rewriting what “entry-level” even means.

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

@TBing1314 @nicksortor scroll up on the exact same document and you will see that there is a version that is not redacted. those comments you can read fully.

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Excited to share how Extern's new workforce model of Externships is solving the growing internship supply problem in a recent @Forbes interview by Jack Kelly.
You can read the full article here: https://t.co/fsUrJC29An

@externhq @jackjaykelly

[This Week in Startups @twistartups]

. @mwilker on resolving the "experience paradox" - the need for experience to get experience

[This Week in Startups @twistartups]

The student portal at @externhq enables students to explore and apply for remote externships

@mwilker says these include diverse fields like marketing, product management, and soon, cybersecurity

[This Week in Startups @twistartups]

. @mwilker discusses @externhq's mission to redefine career development by merging real work experience and education

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Enjoyed convo with @Jason on @twistartups about how https://t.co/mO0wKhiknD (@externhq) created the remote #Externship to solve the despair grads have when trying to land their first job and learning that they don't have enough work experience (after dropping $100K+ on a degree).

[This Week in Startups @twistartups]

. @externhq is redefining career development with remote Externships that merge real work experience and education

@mwilker joined @jason to dive into the mechanics and future of Extern

[This Week in Startups @twistartups]

. @externhq is redefining career development with remote Externships that merge real work experience and education

@mwilker joined @jason to dive into the mechanics and future of Extern

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

@UliKuenzel Series A

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Experience is what matters -- even for entry level jobs. There is a reason why professional experience takes up the most real estate on a resume. Look through full-time jobs seeking “entry-level” employees and you'll find at least three years of experience required for most JDs👨‍💼

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Company employees should be able focus on their jobs while supporting the next generation of student talent on projects. The Externship model pioneered by Paragon One will become critical to the future job market and economy. 🪙🚀🧑‍💼🧑‍🏭👩‍⚕️

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

The reimagined Externship is an educational work experience, led by experts, where a cohort of students completes a project and earns a credential. Professional experiences for students shouldn't be complex. Students should have flexibility in their career exploration. 👩‍🎓

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

While alternative credentials provide fantastic opportunities for learners to practice skills and grow, they haven't led to better career pathways. Unfortunately, people don't get hired just because they did an edX, Coursera, or Linkedin Learning certificate. 🏆

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Higher ed is supposed to prepare youth for the workforce. But translating academic success into real-world job readiness is daunting, so the gap between higher ed and the workforce remains wide. Students face a highly competitive market, often without professional exposure. 🧑‍🎓

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

I remember my externship was cancelled one week before it was set to begin during college because they didn't have manager bandwidth to support. Think of the opportunities that never materialize due to this reality. Everyone is busy with their jobs! 👩‍💼

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

In addition to serving nearly 9,000 multi-week externships in 2023, Paragon One:
↗ Welcomed AT&T, Macquarie Group, HUGO BOSS, and igniteXL Ventures to our remote Externship partner community
↗ Increased company partner NPS to 81 with 100% partner renewal into 2024

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Proud of our team in 2023. Paragon One :
💥 Delivered 8,737 multi-week Externships to students, managed on behalf of global brands (+140% YoY increase)
💥 Increased extern Net Promoter Score (NPS) to 71
💥 97,537 students submitted extern applications (+237% YoY increase)

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Paragon One is building the future of employee-supported professional experiences for students. We're searching for a mission driven Partnerships Manager with a majority focus on universities to help us build better relationships on campuses, support uni…https://t.co/SlAxIrvsi7

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

Please join Paragon One tomorrow at our next Social Impact Lab: What’s HERstory? How Making Space for Women Can Influence Diversity.

A great panel is in store from Google, Microsoft and Pride Global.  We're welcoming Jennifer Paulino who will host Kam…https://t.co/ir72sxn1Og

[Matt Wilkerson @mwilker]

I'm excited to announce that in Q1, Paragon One was able to serve 1,766 students with 6-8 week remote externships across nearly 30 programs with companies such as HUGO BOSS, Greenpeace, Beats by Dre, The Home Depot, PwC, National Geographic, The Nature Co…https://t.co/o4q0fp4WhL