What is an externship and how can it help your career?

You’ve probably heard of internships, but what is an externship? Like an internship, an externship is a short-term experience that can help you learn more about a profession, industry, or company. Whether you’re just beginning your career or looking to make a change, an externship can be a valuable tool for your professional growth.

What is an externship program?

An externship is a short-term arrangement that allows you to shadow someone in their job. It can help you learn what it’s like to work in a particular field or industry. The goal of an externship is to provide exposure to a potential career path so you can make an informed decision about your future.

An externship can be useful at various points in your career. Specifically, it can help you do the following:

• Research a career path. An externship can help you explore careers if you haven’t fully committed to a job or industry. Learning about the daily tasks and work environment can help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

• Pursue growth opportunities. If you’re striving for professional growth, an externship challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

• Develop skills. When you participate in an externship, you’ll get insight into the skills you can develop to be better prepared for your future employment.

• Confirm career goals. An externship can help you assess your goals. It’s an opportunity to make sure you’re on the right path before you pursue a career.

What is the difference between an internship and an externship?

While externships share some similarities with internships, they’re different experiences. Here’s a comparison of internships versus externships, along with the benefits of each one:

Duration

Internships usually last longer than externships. Many companies hire college interns, who work over a semester or during the summer break. Some interns even work for a year or longer, though most internships last three to four months.

An externship, on the other hand, is usually a much shorter experience. Many only last one or two days, though some may extend several weeks. Since they’re short, you can complete multiple externships if you want to learn about different careers.

Responsibilities

When you intern at a company, you’re typically considered part of the team. You’re an employee with tasks and responsibilities to complete. Depending on the internship, you may offer day-to-day support or work on long-term projects.

During an externship, however, you’re mostly there to observe, not to perform work. You might shadow someone in their daily role, attend meetings, tour different departments, or learn about company processes. While you may help with tasks or work on small projects, you won’t get as much hands-on experience as you would in an internship.

Pay

One of the biggest differences between an internship and an externship is pay. Most interns receive a paycheck for the work they do. Unfortunately, externs usually don’t get paid. However, some externship programs may allow you to earn college credit.

Also, while unpaid, externships can be a valuable way to learn more about a job before you spend time—and money—preparing for the role.

Pros and cons

Like any work experience, internships and externships have pros and cons. An internship gives you real-world experience in your chosen field. The skills, insights, and contacts you gain from an internship can help you land your first job after graduation.

At the same time, you’re not guaranteed to get a job offer once you finish an internship. Also, while many companies value interns, some may offer low pay or make interns do tasks no one else wants to do.

An externship also has its benefits and drawbacks. It’s a great way to explore employment options, especially if you’re struggling to plan your career development. If you’re torn between two jobs or industries, you can even do externships in both areas to help you make a decision.

However, an externship can only provide a brief glimpse into an occupation or industry. You won’t get direct experience, and you may not have time to gain new skills.

What to expect during an externship

When participating in an externship program, you should expect a structured experience that gives you more information about a particular role, company, or industry. While each externship is different, most involve shadowing or observing a professional as they work. During this time, you can learn about their responsibilities and ask questions about the career or industry.

Some externships may also offer additional learning opportunities. For example, you may get access to specialized workshops and seminars that cover industry topics or help with professional development.

While most externships are more observational, some can provide you with an opportunity to get hands-on experience. Following your externship, you may also receive feedback and evaluations regarding your performance, knowledge, and skills in the industry.

When to do an externship

You can complete an externship at any point in your career. If you’re a college student, you can do an externship to help you choose your major. You can also do an externship if you want to gain some brief work experience to include on your resume.

For professionals, an externship can be valuable when changing careers. Rather than dive headfirst into a new role or industry, you can do an externship first to make sure it’s what you really want to do.

Do externships look good on a resume?

Yes, it’s valuable to include an externship on your resume. Even though an externship doesn’t offer traditional experience, it shows you’ve done the research to understand a role.

Employers also like to see externships on resumes because they know you have spent time developing and refining your skills. It shows your commitment to the industry and your professional development.

3 Tips for finding a great externship program

Ready to find an externship? Keep these tips in mind when you’re searching for a program to fulfill your goals:

1. Start with research

Decide what job, industry, or company you want to learn more about. Research externship opportunities in those areas.

2. Revamp your resume

Some companies may ask you to send a resume for an externship program. Review the program demands and requirements carefully. Customize your resume for the externship to show you’re serious about the opportunity.

3. Practice your interview

If an employer asks you to do an interview, practice in advance. Also, make a list of questions for the employer about what to expect during the externship.

We’re here to help you every step of the way on your career path journey. Get a personalized career assessment to help you plan for your future!

Key takeaways

1. An externship usually involves shadowing professionals to learn more about a particular job or industry.

2. Externships are generally short-term programs that help you decide if a career path is the right one.

3. Employers value externships because they show you’re committed to your goals and professional development.