If you’re charting your career path or thinking about a new direction, you’ve likely come across the terms “externship” and “internship”. While both sound similar and aim to give you a taste of the professional world, they offer quite different experiences. Knowing how they differ is key to choosing the opportunity that best fits your current goals, whether you’re a student, a recent graduate, or someone considering a career switch.
At Remitly, we’re always aiming to support people as they navigate these important life decisions, including managing finances during education or career transitions. This guide will clarify what externships and internships involve, highlight their main differences, and help you determine which path can best support your professional journey.
What is an externship?
An externship is primarily an observational or job shadowing experience which aims to give you a brief but insightful look into a specific career field or organization.
Definition of an externship
An externship is a short-term, experiential learning opportunity where you (the “extern”) observe professionals at work in a particular field. Unlike an internship, an extern is typically not expected to perform extensive work tasks. The main goal is career exploration and gaining a realistic understanding of a profession. Think of it as a “day in the life” experience, taking place over a short period.
Overview of typical duration
Externships are generally very short, lasting anywhere from a single day to a few days, or perhaps up to a few weeks in some cases. This allows you to explore multiple career paths or companies without any long-term commitment.
What does an externship involve?
The core of an externship is job shadowing. Externs usually spend their time:
- Following professionals through their workday
- Observing meetings and daily tasks
- Asking questions about roles, responsibilities, and career paths
- Gaining exposure to the work environment and company culture. The emphasis is on learning through observation and interaction rather than contributing to projects as a member of the team.
Who are externships for?
Externships are ideal for:
- Students (especially early in their college careers) who are exploring various career options
- Anyone considering a career change who wants a quick, low-commitment way to assess a new field
- Anyone wanting to understand the day-to-day reality of a specific job before committing to further study or an internship
Common focus areas
While externships are offered in many fields, they are common in professions where direct observation offers proper insight, such as healthcare (shadowing doctors, nurses, therapists), law (observing lawyers in firms or court settings), education (sitting in on classes, observing teachers), veterinary medicine and various corporate roles (getting a feel for different departments).
Key benefits of externships
Externships are excellent for:
Career exploration: If you’re unsure about a career path, an externship provides a low-commitment way to test the waters and see if it aligns with your interests and skills.
Industry insight: You can gain a quick understanding of different roles within an industry and the day-to-day realities of a profession.
Networking: Even short externships allow you to make initial connections with professionals in your field of interest, which can be valuable for future advice or opportunities.
Informed decisions: The experience can help you make more informed choices about your major, future internships, or career direction.
What is an internship?
An internship is a more structured and extended work experience program where you perform hands-on tasks and contribute to an organization’s projects.
Definition of an internship
An internship is a temporary position within an organization, usually geared towards students or recent graduates, packaged to provide practical work experience and skills development in a specific field. Interns are assigned responsibilities and expected to contribute to the team’s work.
Overview of typical duration
Internships are generally longer than externships, ranging from a few weeks to several months, or even up to a year. Common durations align with academic schedules, such as summer internships (10-12 weeks) or semester-long internships.
Who are internships for?
- Undergraduate and graduate students seeking to apply academic knowledge and gain real-world skills.
- Recent graduates looking to get their foot in the door of a specific industry.
- Anyone considering a career change who wants to gain experience in a new field.
Common industries
Internships are widespread across nearly every sector, including:
- Technology (software engineering, data analysis)
- Business and finance (marketing, accounting, investment)
- Media and communications (journalism, public relations)
- Healthcare (administration, research assistance)
- Non-profits and government
Key benefits of internships
Skill development: Acquire practical, job-specific skills and industry knowledge.
Resume building: Add valuable, tangible experience to your resume, making you more competitive.
Networking: Build a professional network with colleagues, supervisors, and mentors.
Career clarity: Gain a deeper understanding of a career path and company culture.
Potential job offers: Many companies use internships as a primary way to recruit full-time employees.
Compensation/academic credit: A growing number of internships are paid, and many universities offer academic credit.
The hands-on experience involved in internship roles
Unlike the observational nature of externships, internships facilitate hands-on experience.
Interns often:
- Work on real projects and tasks
- Are assigned specific responsibilities and deliverables
- Collaborate with team members
- Receive training and mentorship
- Are expected to contribute to the organization’s goals
The level of responsibility can vary, from entry-level tasks to more complex project work, depending on the intern’s skills and the program’s structure.
Main differences between externships and internships
While both internships and externships aim to bridge the gap between education and career, they do so in different ways.
| Feature | Externship | Internship |
| Primary purpose | Career exploration, job shadowing observation | Hands-on work experience, skill development |
| Duration | Short-term (days to a few weeks) | Longer-term (weeks, months, up to a year) |
| Nature of work | Primarily observational, shadowing | Hands-on, project-based, assigned responsibilities |
| Level of input | Minimal direct work output expected | Active contribution to projects and tasks expected |
| Commitment level | Low commitment, flexible | Higher commitment, often like a part-time/full-time job |
| Compensation | Usually unpaid (focus is on learning) | Can be paid or unpaid (paid is more common now) |
| Primary outcome | Career clarity, initial networking | Job skills, resume building, potential job offer |
Which path is right for you?
Your personal career stage, goals, and available time will guide whether an internship or externship is more suitable.
Aligning opportunities with your career stage and goals
If you’re early in your studies or unsure about your career path, an externship is an excellent low-risk way to explore. It can help you narrow down your interests before committing to a more intensive internship or specialized coursework.
If you have a clearer idea of your desired field and want to gain practical skills, an internship is the logical next step. It will provide the hands-on experience employers are looking for and help you build a professional track record.
If you’re considering a career change, both can be useful. An externship can give you a quick feel for a new industry, while an internship (if available for career changers) can provide the necessary experience to make a switch.
How to find both internships and externships
University career services: Often the best first stop for students, providing listings, advice, and connections for both.
Online job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, Idealist, and industry-specific sites list many internships. Externships might be found by searching for “job shadowing opportunities” or through university-facilitated programs.
Company websites: Check the “careers” or “student programs” sections of companies you’re interested in.
Networking: Talk to professors, alumni, mentors, and professionals in your fields of interest. Informational interviews can sometimes lead to shadowing (externship) opportunities.
Professional associations: Often have resources or listings for students and early-career professionals.
Common misconceptions about externships and internships
Let’s clear up a few common myths.
Myth: Externships are just for pre-med students.
Reality: While it’s common in the medical field for pre-meds to shadow doctors, externships are valuable and available in many fields, including law, business, engineering, arts, and non-profits.
Myth: All internships are unpaid and involve menial tasks.
Reality: While unpaid internships exist (their legality and value can vary), there’s a strong trend towards paid internships that offer substantive work and learning. Many companies recognize the value interns bring and structure programs accordingly.
Myth: Externships don’t lead to anything tangible.
Reality: While an externship might not directly result in a job offer, the insights, career clarity, and initial networking connections can be very tangible benefits for future career decisions and opportunities.
Myth: You can only do an internship if you’re a student.
Reality: While most internships target students or recent graduates, some “returnship” programs are designed for professionals re-entering the workforce, and some internships are open to career changers, depending on the organization and role.
FAQs
Can you do both an externship and an internship in the same field?
Yes, absolutely! In fact, it can be a smart approach. An externship can give you an initial overview and confirm your interest, and then a more in-depth internship can help you build skills and experience in that confirmed field.
Are externships paid?
Externships are usually unpaid because they are primarily observational learning experiences, and the extern is not usually performing productive work for the host organization. The main “payment” is the knowledge and exposure externs gain. Some structured externship programs through universities might offer small travel stipends or other support.
Do internships guarantee a job offer?
No, an internship does not automatically guarantee a job offer. However, a successful internship significantly increases your chances. Many companies use their internship programs as a primary way to recruit entry-level talent, and a strong performance can lead to a full-time position.
Are externships only for students exploring careers?
While very common for students, the concept of job shadowing (which is what an externship essentially is) can be valuable for anyone considering a career change at any stage of their professional life, even if not formally labeled an “externship”. It allows for a quick, low-risk assessment of a new field.