If you want to gain hands-on work experience, externships and internships are both great ways to start – but they’re not the same thing. Knowing how each works in terms of time, involvement, and what you actually learn can help you choose the experience that fits where you are in your studies and career choices.
- Externship: short term, observation-based experience
- Internship: longer, hands-on work placement
- Externships are perfect for gaining insights into work fields during studies; internships help gain practical job skills
- CV impact: externships show interest and motivation, internships demonstrate skills and work readiness
Not sure which one to go for? This quick guide breaks it all down so you can choose what works best for you and your career goals.
Externship explained: Gain job insight
Think of an externship as a short “get a feel for it” experience. It’s usually a few days to a few weeks where you shadow professionals rather than doing the work yourself. The main goal? Exposure. You want to see what a day in a certain job looks like and figure out if it’s a path you want to explore further.
Externships are common in fields like medicine, law, business, and education, and you’ll often find them through your university, professional schools, or career centers. They’re usually unpaid — but the trade-off is the insight and guidance you gain from watching experts in action.
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You won’t be responsible for completing tasks, but you’ll observe, ask questions, and get a real feel for the work environment. Externships are perfect if you’re still figuring out your career interests and want to explore options before committing.
Internship explained: Build hands-on skills
Internships take things a step further: they’re longer, hands-on experiences where you actively contribute to projects, develop skills, and gain professional experience in a job.
They usually last anywhere from a few weeks to several months and can be part-time or full-time. Some internships are paid, and many may even be a recognised part of your degree program.
Tip: Internships benefit both sides! As UMBC notes, you get experience and skills, and the company gains fresh ideas – plus, you could be their future hire. |
Internships are common across almost all fields such as business, engineering, media and more. You’ll often find them advertised by companies, start-ups, or even through your university career office.
In an internship, you’re not just observing, but doing real work, applying what you’ve learned in your studies, and building skills that matter in your job.
Key differences between externships and internships
Here’s a quick comparison of externships and internships:
- Duration: Externships are short, usually lasting a few days to a few weeks. Internships are longer, ranging from several weeks to a few months.
- Level of involvement: In externships, you watch and learn from professionals. In internships, you actively participate in real projects.
- Pay: Externships are typically unpaid. Internships may be paid, depending on the organization.
- Purpose: Externships help you explore career paths and get a feel for a field. Internships help you apply your skills and gain hands-on experience.
- Timing: Externships often fit in during your studies, while internships usually take place during breaks, summers, or after graduation.
- Networking opportunities: Both provide chances to meet professionals, but internships often lead more directly to job opportunities.
In short, externships give you a taste of a field, internships help you work in it.
Both are valuable, just in different ways and for different phases in your studies or early career.
Which professional experience is best during or after university?
During your studies, externships are ideal if you’re still exploring what kind of work excites you. They’re short, low-pressure, and give insight without the commitment of a real work role.
Internships, on the other hand, are perfect for later in your studies or after graduation when you want to gain practical skills, contribute to projects, and make your CV stronger.
Pro tip: One doesn’t rule out the other: the two experiences can complement each other perfectly! Many students start with externships to explore options and then apply for internships once they have a clearer idea of what work they enjoy. |
How externships and internships strengthen your CV
Both externships and internships add value to your CV.
Externships show initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to explore career paths. They tell future employers or academic programs that you’re proactive and that you’ve thought carefully about what kind of work environment suits you.
Internships, meanwhile, demonstrate concrete skills, responsibility, and readiness for the workplace. Employers see that you’ve contributed to real projects and can perform in professional environments.
Tip: Not sure how many extra-curricular activities your CV should show? Find out why quality beats quantity! |
Taken together, these experiences show that you’ve not only learned in the classroom but also applied your knowledge in the real world. They help you stand out from other candidates and make your career journey a little smoother.
Personal note: Just recently, I personally experienced how an internship can provide a unique project to highlight in my CV for my PhD application. Most PhD programs want to see how much research experience you’ve had. A Master’s thesis or research-based coursework is something almost every candidate can show. My internship, however, was outside my regular studies, it was something I did between my Bachelor’s and Master’s, and it even connected to my future PhD topic. Since not everyone has research experience beyond their coursework, it really helped me stand out.
Experts at the University of Arizona state that doing an externship or internship while studying significantly helps to find a job within a couple of months after you graduate.
Tips on how to choose the right work experience for you
- Think about where you are in your studies: are you exploring careers or ready to apply your skills?
- Consider how much time you can commit: a short externship might fit during a busy semester, whereas a summer internship requires a bigger time investment
- Do you mainly aim for academic credit on your CV or prefer paid experience?
- Ask yourself what type of learning motivates you most: observing or doing?
If you’re still unsure which work field suits you, I’d recommend starting with an externship or a short internship of a few weeks.
Several shorter experiences give you the opportunity to discover faster which kind of work you enjoy the most. Once you know, a longer internship can help you build practical skills and even open doors to a job offer.
Make the most of your career opportunity
Each work experience is valuable. Externships give insight and exploration, internships give you skills and application. Both strengthen your CV and move you closer to a career that suits your work interests.
Check your university career office or online platforms to find the opportunities that fit you best — and take that first step today.
Looking for degrees that give you hands-on experience while you study? VisitMastersportal to find programs with built-in internships and practical opportunities.
