From retail to engineering, from finance to veterinary practices, internships are often part of the journey from student to professional. They’re a common way to get your feet wet on the job and a great addition to your resume. But there is another approach that’s well worth trying, and that’s an externship. Externships tend to be less understood and possibly less appreciated than internships, but they’re an invaluable way to get professional experience and can add a lot of credibility to your resume.
Externship Or Internship?
There are some key differences between internships and externships, but that doesn’t mean one is necessarily better than the other. You may very well wind up doing both as you head into the beginning of your career. Interns are likely to be closely involved in a project or initiative over a period of time, often responsible for a series of day-to-day tasks: the role entails joining an organization and learning by doing. Internships tend to be paid positions, but with that pay comes a substantial time commitment: usually full-time, often on-site, and lasting through the summer. Landing a good summer internship at a reputable organization can require to a mad scramble in your spring semester, so if you’re looking for one, my recommendation is to start early.
Externships provide a different kind of opportunity: to observe, learn, try, and experience. They’re also often on-premises at an organization, but the timing varies. They may run during the school year, or during a short stint in a summer. They may last a week, a month, a matter of days, or even a day. Unlike an internship, they tend to be unpaid, but there are exceptions.
Huge Learning Opportunity
Instead of joining an organization as an employee, an extern is more like a guest — an outsider getting the chance to not only look in, but really feel what it’s like to be in the industry. In certain fields, an externship may be built into the curriculum as an experiential learning component, a way to gain practical experience that adds a whole new dimension to classroom learning. But that’s not the only way to land one: often advisors, guidance counselors, and even just doing a search for externships in your chosen field will do it. Approach finding an externship with the same strategies as you’d use for an internship, from school resources to networking, professional and alumni associations, to a simple search on a job portal. There’s also a site dedicated to externships for college students — externships.com, and internshipfinder lists externships as well.
What To Expect
An externship doesn’t mean you’ll just be watching from a distance. Organizations that welcome externs usually go the extra mile to make you feel at home. Expect that for however long you’re there, you certainly won’t be going it alone. You may be “assigned” to a team or a professional, and able to pitch in and participate. Often, there’s a good balance of watching and being hands-on, so you’re getting experience in the professional setting of your chosen field with a lot of context and explanation. At the same time, the organization you’re externing for gets a good idea of who you are — your interests, your curiosity, your energy, your observational abilities, and your potential.
Often an externship is designed to expose you to a whole range of different activities and tasks. Here are some possibilities of what you’ll be doing:
• Shadow a professional (or a few) as they go about a workday. “Shadowing” is also known as trailing — you literally follow someone throughout their day. Feel free to ask questions as you trail them, but here’s an etiquette tip: Be polite about it. Don’t interrupt a conversation or chime in with commentary. Wait until you’re invited to share your thoughts.
• Attend conferences or meetings with a team. Here, the golden rule is that you’re a guest of the organization and should be respectful. Pay attention, listen, and absorb all you can. Don’t use the opportunity to network with a competing organization that happens to be at the same event.
• Attend training and learning sections as part of a group. You may be one of a whole team of externs who are given learning opportunities. Take these seriously: they may help you acquire vital skills and knowledge even before your first official position.
• Participating in tasks or projects. As an extern you may be invited to pitch in on operational tasks or an ongoing project. This is a great opportunity to roll up your sleeves and experience a dose of what it’s like to be on the job. Here, it’s better to ask questions than assume anything. Chances are there are plenty of people around to help you do your best.
What About A Salary?
If you do receive any kind of compensation for an externship, it may be as part of a stipend — such as for housing during the period you’re there, or as academic credits. But while the chances of getting a paycheck are minimal, doing an externship is well worth it. This is where the ex in externship really comes into play: You’re usually doing an externship for the experience and the exposure to a professional setting — and that’s a great way to get started on your career path. Since it’s short-term, you’re free to pursue a paying job when you’re done, which may make it easier to dive into this kind of arrangement than trying to find a paid internship. Or, as already mentioned, aim for both.
The Value Of Insight
I’ve worked with so many people just starting their careers, and all have benefited from the kind of experiences you get in an externship. Being an extern gives you the chance to explore whether a career path is for you, but without having to spend an entire summer figuring that out. It gives you a great sense of what it’s like to work in the field, and insight into the kinds of problem-solving you’d be expected to do.
It’s also a super opportunity to network, cultivate new relationships, and build connections. That manager you followed around for a week may become a valuable guide and mentor, for instance; and that team you joined for a day-long research project may become part of your treasured network of close colleagues.
An externship also offers enough real experience to increase your abilities, as well as a glimpse into the skills you’ll need to develop. On the whole, it can be a memorable experience that helps you clarify your interests, your goals, and your future. No question, it’s a valuable boost as you embark on a career. So go explore the opportunities, and see what you can find.
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