Externship vs. Internship — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
An "Externship" is a short-term, often observational training program outside one's institution. An "Internship" is a longer, immersive work experience within an organization, often with hands-on responsibilities.
Difference Between Externship and Internship
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "Externship" primarily refers to short-term training or work experiences that allow participants, often students, to gain insights into a profession without a long-term commitment. "Internship", however, denotes a more extended period, where individuals, mostly students or recent graduates, work for organizations to gain practical experience.
Externships typically emphasize shadowing professionals and are more observational in nature. In contrast, Internships usually provide hands-on experience, where the intern takes on tasks and responsibilities similar to regular employees.
Externships are often shorter than Internships, sometimes lasting only a day or a week, serving as a brief introduction to a profession. Internships can last several months, providing a deeper dive into the profession and more comprehensive training.
While both Externships and Internships aim to offer real-world experience, Externships are more about exploration and quick exposure. Internships, on the other hand, focus on skill development, networking, and often serve as a potential path to employment.
Industries like healthcare and law frequently offer Externships, allowing participants to observe procedures without actively partaking. In contrast, industries like business, technology, and media typically offer Internships where participants actively contribute.
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Comparison Chart
Duration
Typically short-term, often a day to a few weeks.
Longer, ranging from a few months to a year.
Nature
Observational, shadowing professionals.
Hands-on with tasks and responsibilities.
Goal
Exploration and quick exposure.
Skill development, networking, and potential job placement.
Common Industries
Healthcare, law, etc.
Business, technology, media, etc.
Compensation & Commitment
Often unpaid and less commitment.
Can be paid or unpaid, usually with a more significant commitment.
Compare with Definitions
Externship
A short-term observational training program.
She took a week-long externship at the dental clinic.
Internship
An opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain practical experience.
The internship helped him transition from college to a full-time job.
Externship
A brief experience outside one's educational institution.
The medical student did an externship in a rural hospital.
Internship
A program offering hands-on experience and skill development.
His summer internship involved project management tasks.
Externship
A program for exploring professions without in-depth involvement.
Through an externship, he realized surgery wasn't for him.
Internship
A temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training.
The advertising agency offers a year-long internship.
Externship
A structured field experience with professionals.
The law school offers an externship with local judges.
Internship
A program often seen as a stepping stone to employment.
Several interns were offered positions after their internships ended.
Externship
An opportunity to shadow professionals in real-world settings.
The externship at the tech company gave her insight into daily operations.
Internship
An internship is a period of work experience offered by an organization for a limited period of time. Once confined to medical graduates, internship is used for a wide range of placements in businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies.
Externship
Externships are experiential learning opportunities, similar to internships (Timeline duration can differ from project to project), provided by partnerships between educational institutions and employers to give students practical experiences in their field of study. In medicine, it may refer to a visiting physician who is not part of the regular staff.
Internship
A student or a recent graduate undergoing supervised practical training.
Externship
A person associated with but not officially residing in an institution, especially a nonresident physician on a hospital staff.
Internship
A physician who has recently graduated from medical school and is learning medical practice in a hospital under supervision, prior to beginning a residency program.
Externship
An experiential learning opportunity, usually offered by a school, similar to an internship, but generally shorter in duration.
Internship
One who is interned; an internee.
Internship
To train or serve as an intern.
Internship
To confine, especially in wartime.
Internship
A job taken by a student in order to learn a profession or trade.
Internship
The state of being an intern; the position of an intern.
Internship
The period of time during which a person is an intern; as, she served her internship over the summer.
Internship
A program to provide novices in a field with apprenticeship training.
Internship
The period of time during which a novice in a field serves in a subordinate capacity and continues to gain experience; the learning period before one becomes an expert.
Internship
The position of a medical intern
Internship
A structured work experience related to one's field of study.
She secured an internship at a renowned tech firm.
Common Curiosities
Can Internships lead to job offers?
Yes, many companies use Internships as a way to evaluate potential future employees.
Which is better for in-depth skill development?
Internships, due to their longer duration and hands-on nature, are better for in-depth skill development.
Are Externships usually shorter than Internships?
Yes, Externships are typically shorter, often lasting days to weeks, while Internships can last several months.
Can a professional do an Externship?
Yes, professionals sometimes do Externships to explore other areas within or outside their field.
Do all industries offer both?
Not necessarily. Some industries might prefer one over the other based on the nature of the work.
Can both Externships and Internships be unpaid?
Yes, both can be unpaid, but Internships are more likely to offer compensation.
Are Externships more observational?
Typically, yes. Externships often involve shadowing professionals rather than taking on tasks.
Are Internships only for students?
Mostly, but recent graduates and career changers can also pursue Internships.
How do I choose between an Externship and Internship?
Consider your goals. If you want quick exposure, choose an Externship. For deeper experience, choose an Internship.
Is there an age limit for Internships?
While Internships are typically for students or recent grads, there's no strict age limit. It often depends on the company or organization's policies.
Are there any specific qualifications required for an Externship?
Qualifications vary based on the industry and company, but Externships generally require less experience than Internships.
How can I maximize my experience during an Internship?
Actively engage, seek feedback, network with colleagues, and always express willingness to learn.
Can I get academic credit for Externships or Internships?
Many educational institutions offer credit for both, but it's essential to coordinate with your school's guidelines.
Can I do multiple Externships in different fields?
Absolutely. Externships are an excellent way to explore various professions in a short amount of time.
What if I don’t enjoy my Internship?
It's essential to communicate with your supervisor about concerns and consider it a learning experience about what you might not want in a future career.
Is an Externship similar to job shadowing?
Yes, Externships are often similar to job shadowing, offering observational experiences.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
