Internships and externships offer valuable experience for students entering the workspace, but there are some key differences to keep in mind when making your decision about which one to explore and when.

Here is a closer look at what sets internships and externships apart.

What is the difference between an internship and an externship?

Internships and externships are both work experiences that allow hands-on, real-life experience in various industries or fields. Here is how they differ:

• An internship typically involves a formal agreement between an organization and an individual, where the individual agrees to perform specific tasks within a specific timeframe; in return, they receive a wage, academic credit, or an agreement of future employment with the organization. It is essentially a job with a predetermined start and end date.

• An externship, on the other hand, is a short-term job opportunity focused on “shadowing” an experienced professional. It is an experiential learning opportunity. Unlike internships, an externship is not a job – It’s more like a sneak peek of what a day in the life of a given profession or role is like. An externship is generally less formal than an internship.

Both internships and externships are great learning experiences for students who are getting ready to launch their careers. The main difference is that internships provide a more structured work environment with clear expectations for learning outcomes whereas potential outcomes for externships are less explicit and can vary greatly.

Benefits of Internships

The benefits of an internship include:

• Gaining hands-on experience in a field of interest
• Learning from experienced professionals
• Honing new skills or developing existing skills
• Gaining insider knowledge
• Building valuable networks in your field
• Building your resume
• Gaining full-time employment 

For many employers, an internship is essentially an extended interview and is used as a gateway for recruiting new employees. If this is your goal, then you should try to secure an internship for the summer as a rising senior to increase the odds of having an offer in hand before you graduate.

Benefits of externships

The benefits of an externship include:

• Exploring potential careers or fields of interest without making a big-time commitment
• Learning from experienced professionals
• Enhancing resumes for future job opportunities
• Assess their “fit” for a particular position
• Developing professional networks
• Gaining a deeper understanding of the daily responsibilities of a particular profession
• Discovering what you don’t like, so you can make educated career choices
• Leading to future employment opportunities

When should you consider an internship?

When you have a good idea of the career you wish to pursue, an internship is the best choice for you to explore it. An internship will help you further develop knowledge in your chosen career field and build a professional network.

Because internships are akin to temporary jobs, you should only consider an internship experience when you have the time available for the commitment. For internships during the school year, expect to work 15 hours per week. For internships during the summer, expect to work full-time for the entire summer.

The recruiting process for summer internships can start 9-10 months ahead of time for STEM internships, while opportunities in the creative fields or arts can be a little bit more cyclical, according to Adam Capozzi, the director of career services, assessment, and student success at Syracuse University. For more tips on getting a summer internship, check TUN’s interview with Capozzi here or watch the video below.

When should you consider an externship?

Externships are great when you are just starting to consider your professional career.

An externship is a perfect way to understand what a typical work week would look like for each role and inform your decision.

An externship can help you decide on a major. Also, if you are reconsidering your chosen career path, an externship can give you the direction you need.

An externship typically lasts anywhere from a day to several weeks, making it the perfect option for students during their winter or spring break.

Why college students should participate in both

College is expensive. But making bad career choices can be even more expensive, both monetarily and emotionally.

Committing to the wrong major for you may lead you down the wrong path and delay your graduation, which will cost you more financially – not just in terms of the costs of education but also the loss of earnings from the extra time it takes you to graduate. 

So, before you commit to a major or career, explore internships and externships in your field(s) of interest. This will help you develop practical skills, gain real-world experience in a field of interest, and beef up your resume, among other benefits. But, above all, it will help you determine if your contemplated path is a suitable path for you or what you want. 

For college students, participating in externship programs early in their college career can prevent students from wasting money on the wrong major.

The internship experience can also further a student’s career path through professional development and networking with industry professionals.

How do prospective employers view internships and externships on a resume?

Employers know the difference between an internship and an externship and value each for what they are.

An internship shows that you have chosen to dedicate some time to a particular field and have gained some useful skills that employers seek.

An externship shows that you spent time evaluating a career choice.

Both usually should be included on your resume and will be valued for what they are. For tips on how to craft a resume, check TUN’s interview with Andre Fontenelle, the associate director for internships and employer relations at Brooklyn College. To make your resume stand out, check TUN’s interview with Katie Seitz, a career coach at Stony Brook University’s Career Center,

Are internships paid?

While in the past many internship opportunities were unpaid, the current trend is for employers to pay their interns.

Unpaid internships are typically easier to get and, sometimes, that is the only choice available for students who have never held a job and may be worth it to you. If you are looking to further your career, an unpaid internship position at the company of your dream may have greater value to you than a paid job that doesn’t align with your career goals. 

Paid internship programs offer many advantages. Aside from the monetary compensation, they carry a higher probability of receiving an offer of employment after the internship is concluded. Nearly 66% of interns who were compensated financially obtained job offers while 38% percent of unpaid interns received similar offers post-internship, according to U.S. News – making it clear which type of internships pay off in the long run!

Are externships paid?

Externships tend to be unpaid opportunities that are less formal. In many cases, students can get externships without a lengthy interview process. In some organizations, the externship program does not go through Human Resources as do other employment opportunities.

Externships are viewed by employers as an informational experience that they are sharing, rather than an employment experience that they have to pay for.

While externship opportunities are generally unpaid, they can still provide valuable experience that may lead to future employment opportunities. 

However, there are certain fields where externs are more likely to be paid. Students in these fields are traditionally expected to gain practice experience in an authentic learning environment.

In the medical field, for example, externships typically receive monetary compensation. For instance, nurse externs usually get financial remuneration for their efforts.

And the culinary arts generally offer paid as well as unpaid externships. The Institute of Culinary Education, for example, has an extensive externship program, with 61% of its externship placement in 2019 being paid externships. And in 2020, 41% of the school’s completed externships “resulted in a direct hire by the site or an affiliated location.”

Do I receive college credit for internships or externships?

You should check with your school’s career center to learn more about the rules associated with getting college credit for internships or externships.

The amount of credit you can get depends on your college. Internships typically garner 1-3 credits depending on the time commitment. Often, you will need your employer to fill out a school form, so always check with your school before you start.

Are internships and externships offered online?

During the pandemic, many internship and externship programs moved online. And many organizations actually preferred to keep their internship programs online after the pandemic because it was easier to manage and allowed them to grow a more talented workforce without traditional geographic limitations.

For advice on how to make the most of online internships, check TUN’s interview with Dr. Marianna Savoca, assistant vice president for career development and experiential education at Stony Brook University.

Conclusion

Internships and externships are great opportunities to gain experience, hone your skills, and build a network of professionals in a field. Whether you choose an unpaid or paid opportunity, an internship can be invaluable for career advancement. Employers value both types of experiences on resumes as they demonstrate commitment to learning new things and exploring potential career paths. With so many online options available now due to the pandemic, there has never been a better time to find an internship or externship that fits your needs!