Internships and externships are both on-the-job training
programs for high school students, college students and sometimes other
professionals. They are similar to apprenticeship programs which are
designed to teach someone a skill or trade. Unlike apprenticeship programs that
teach beginners a skill while they are on the job, internships and externships
are temporary jobs that give college students a short-term work experience in
their chosen career field. When the internship or externship ends, the student
returns to finish college.
Internships and externships are very similar.
They both place students in a professional setting where they can
gain valuable insight into what they can expect
to experience within the field they have chosen. But there are
some clear differences between the two.
Duration
Internships are longer in duration and can last
anywhere from 2-3 months, a semester, and in some cases an entire year.
Externships, on the other hand, are for a considerably shorter length of time.
Externships can be for just one day, or for a week, allowing students to easily
complete externships over a winter or spring break. The shorter time span can
also be a benefit in providing more externship opportunities and thus more
insights into different work environments.
Experience
Students serving as interns will be given
meaningful projects, be assigned responsibilities, and work deadlines and
expectations, very similar to what they would expect as a full-time
employee. Externships, however, are generally considered job shadowing. The
shorter duration of externships is not structured towards more
long-term job results but is intended for students to observe, explore and ask
questions. It does not provide the same extensive, hands-on work
experience as internships.
Pay
Some internships are
unpaid but many offer pay or a stipend for students accepted into the
program. Some even include reimbursement for housing and transportation costs.
Those that are unpaid will usually offer college credit. Externships are
generally unpaid and do not offer college credit. They are intended to give
students a short, real-life preview into their career.
Job
Expectations
Both students who accept an internship as well as those
who complete an externship should not underestimate the value of contacts,
mentoring and networking during their experience. However, internships are
usually held toward the end of a student's college education. Many companies who
advertise for interns include a statement that lets students know they are
looking for a long-term commitment. They may even state the percentage of
interns who are offered full-time jobs after they graduate. Externships are
usually held during the beginning or middle of a student's education. The fact
that externships do not assign projects and tasks and are for a much shorter
duration are not conducive to receiving any promise of a future job. However,
externships can lead to internships within the same company, so externship
students should approach this job-shadowing opportunity with the same amount of
professionalism and commitment they would demonstrate with an internship.
Conclusion
Both internships and
externships are great opportunities for students to gain valuable exposure
into their chosen profession. They both offer benefits that can help students
make good career choices. Students who are able to manage their time well can
actually pick and choose a mix of internships and externships that are a good
fit for them and receive the best of both worlds.
Why not get started
today and begin your internship search at FindInternships.com and your externship search
at Externships.com