Undecided on a Career? Could an Externship Help?
Some people are lucky enough to know exactly what they want to be when they grow up from the time they’re little, while other people struggle with the decision well into adulthood.
When you’re unsure about the direction of your future, an externship can help ignite your passion for a particular field — or make it clear that you should change course and try something new. For high school students, externships are also a great way to strengthen your college application. They can even provide excellent source material for your admissions essay.
What’s the Difference Between an Externship and an Internship?
Externships and internships are two different ways of obtaining real-world insight into a profession or field of interest.
Internships can be paid or unpaid, and they may come with college credit. Internships typically last for several months (or longer), and the intern is given work assignments and responsibilities just like any full-time, low-level employee. It’s a very hands-on way to gain experience in a specific field.
In comparison, externs merely shadow an industry professional for a few days or weeks (at most). Externships are unpaid, and they don’t result in any academic credit — but they do allow students to explore a career field, ask their mentor detailed questions about the job and observe their mentor’s daily routine.
All of these things can help a student get a feel for the profession they’re considering. They also get a chance to assess how well that career choice fits with their personality, goals and strengths. It isn’t unusual for students to have several externships, especially when they’re still exploring future possibilities.
Aside From a Professional Preview, What Do Externships Offer?
Just like an internship, an externship makes you a more interesting college applicant — and it can make you a more attractive job candidate in the future. Here’s why:
- It demonstrates initiative: An externship shows that you value experiences over pay and that you’re dedicated enough to your future that you’re willing to sacrifice both your time and energy toward your goals.
- It gives you a jump on networking: A strong professional network can open up all kinds of opportunities during your college career, from a future paid internship with the same company to assistance with your job search after graduation.
- It offers you a unique experience to discuss: Your observations and thoughts about your externship experiences can be a worthwhile, engaging subject for your admissions essay.
- It helps you fine-tune your goals: It’s one thing to say you want to be a lawyer, but it’s entirely another to realize that you have a specific taste for intellectual property law. An externship gives you better insight into career possibilities that you may not have fully considered.
- It strengthens your resume upon graduation: When you leave school, an externship or two can add power to your resume. Sometimes, merely being able to put the name of a well-respected professional or company on your resume is enough to make you a more compelling job applicant.
Finally, an externship can ease any lingering doubts about whether you’re studying the right subjects and aiming for the right career. Once you’ve had a chance to really explore different companies and positions, you can start to see your own future more clearly — and that can make it easier to visualize your goals.
