Internship VS Externship: What’s the difference? Which one will prepare me for my dream job?

What’s an internship?

An internship is defined as a professional learning opportunity that offers practical and meaningful experience related to a student’s field or industry. They are typically highly structured and based around a specific project or outcome the intern is working to achieve.

Oftentimes, you can get course credit for completing an internship. These can be either paid or unpaid. 

Internships can range from one academic term long, to several months over the summer. Internships also usually have a more formal application process, and interviews before you secure the position.

This experience is similar to what you would go through seeking a full time job.

With that, internships can sometimes convert to full-time job offers. If this is something you’re interested in, make sure to ask in the interview process if they’re looking to convert to full time employment in the future. 

So... then what’s an externship?

An externship is also a professional learning experience, but usually takes place during the school year and comes about from existing connections in your network. They typically involve shadowing another employee and working on many small projects. They are also typically unpaid. 

The main difference is that an externship is a less structured, more informal experience. While you are still getting a professional learning experience, they’re more observational. 

For example, you might be sitting in on meetings, or attending conferences, but you won’t be presenting at those events the way you might in an internship.

You could get externship experience from doing something as simple as reaching out to a family friend, and asking if you can shadow them for a week to see what it’s like to work in their industry!

These typically aren’t experiences you’ll see job postings for since they’re not as hands-on.

What are the benefits of an internship VS externship?

To sum it up, when we analyze internship VS externship, externships are shorter, more observational, and a less formal application process. They also require less commitment in general. They could range from one week to several months, depending on what you want to do.

That said, it doesn't take away from the integrity of your experience. You just aren’t as locked in on one industry or position as you would be in an internship. 

Which one will prepare me for my dream job?

Still deciding between internship VS externship? Both are great opportunities to gain experience professionally and grow your network. 

However, if you’re less sure about what field you want to go into, an externship may be a better starting point for you. That way, if you don’t like it, you have time to explore other options potentially even in that same academic term or year.

It might seem intimidating, but the best way to understand the difference between an internship vs externship is to put yourself out there and try both options. If you have a clear idea of the company or field you want to pursue, an internship, with its more structured and formal experience, may be the right choice for you.

An internship allows you to commit to long-term projects, demonstrate your skills, and build valuable content for your resume. It provides a deeper, more hands-on experience that can help you stand out in the job market.

So, when weighing the pros and cons of internship vs externship, don’t hesitate to give one, or even both, a try. The real-world experience you gain can make all the difference in shaping your career path.

✍️ Written by Emma Wihtol