Internship vs Externship: What’s the Difference?
Internship and externship programs are an excellent opportunity for students and young professionals to gain practical experience in their field of study. Both programs have their own unique benefits, but they often get interchanged, leading to confusion. In this article, we’ll explain the differences between internship and externship programs and help you choose the right program for your career aspirations.
What is Internship?
Internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period. It is an excellent way for students and young professionals to gain practical experience in their field of study. Internship programs can be paid or unpaid, depending on the organization.
Examples of Internship:
1. Marketing Internship
2. Engineering Internship
3. Legal Internship
4. Medical Internship
5. Journalism Internship
6. Human Resource Internship
7. Graphic Design Internship
Uses of Internship:
1. Provides practical training and work experience to young professionals.
2. Helps students gain an insight into their chosen career field.
3. Builds contacts and networks for future job opportunities.
4. Builds a student resume and enhances their chances of getting hired.
What is Externship?
An externship is a short-term, work-shadowing program where students can observe a professional in their chosen field and learn about their day-to-day activities. Unlike internships, externships do not involve hands-on training.
Examples of Externship:
1. Doctor Externship
2. Legal Externship
3. Veterinary Externship
4. Architect Externship
5. Engineering Externship
6. Graphic Design Externship
Uses of Externship:
1. Demonstrates a student’s interest in a particular field.
2. Provides a chance for students to make contacts with professionals for future job opportunities.
3. Gives students a glimpse into the day-to-day workings of a professional in their chosen field.
Differences between Internship and Externship:
| Difference Area | Internship | Externship |
|———————|—————————–|—————————|
| Duration | Lasts for several months | Lasts for a few weeks |
| Hands-On Experience | Provides experiential learning| Offers limited or no hands-on experiences|
| Supervision | Mentored and supervised closely | Observes professionals from a distance|
| Pay | Sometimes Paid, sometimes not | Unpaid |
| Length of workday | Same as regular employee schedules | Shorter durations, usually a few hours a day |
| Objective | Build practical job experience | Observe and learn professional routines|
| Application process | Bigger organizations with structured hiring processes | Small companies who hire students directly |
| Education level | Undergrad and Graduate students | High School and College students |
| Goals | Get real-world work experience | Explore career options and see the job in action |
| Benefits | Job offers, experience, career development| Networking, Connections, Career exploration |
Conclusion:
Internships and externships are both essential opportunities for building networks, learning professional routines, and getting insights into real-world job experiences. While internships offer hands-on experiences and training, externships provide a chance for students to observe professionals in the workplace. By understanding the differences between the two programs, students can choose the program that best aligns with their career goals.
Knowledge Check:
1. What is an internship?
Ans: A period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period.
2. What is an externship?
Ans: A short-term, work-shadowing program where students can observe professionals in their chosen field.
3. Are internships always paid?
Ans: No, it depends on the organization.
4. What is the primary objective of an internship program?
Ans: To provide practical training and work experience to young professionals.
5. Is an externship program hands-on?
Ans: No, it offers limited or no hands-on experiences.
6. Are externships longer or shorter than internships?
Ans: Externships are shorter, usually a few hours a day.
7. Which education level is suitable for internships?
Ans: Undergrad and Graduate students.
8. Which education level is suitable for externships?
Ans: High School and College students.
9. What is the primary objective of an externship program?
Ans: To allow students to observe and learn professional routines.
10. Do internships and externships provide networking opportunities?
Ans: Yes.
Related Topics:
1. How to land an internship?
2. Tips for choosing the right externship program
3. How to turn an internship into a job opportunity?
4. Best practices for writing and submitting an application for a internship or externship program.
