The Benefits of Externships

An externship is a method of experienced-based learning that focuses on giving students practical work experience in their concentration. This can take the form of simply pairing up with a mentor on-site or shadowing professionals working in their environment.

Typically, an externship runs anywhere from one week to a couple of months, and the participant is usually treated as a volunteer with no pay and no credit received. Oftentimes, the meetings occur during breaks between classes and work, serving as a quick way to learn more about a profession prior to returning to class. Information on externships can usually be obtained from the career planning departments of schools. Externships are similar to internships in that they prepare students for entering the professional, working environment upon graduating from school.