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Internship vs. Job: Which Option Is Right for You?

Whether you’re in higher education or a young professional looking for a change, choosing between an internship vs. a job as your next position can be tough. Both opportunities can provide valuable work experience and propel your career forward. But how do you decide which one is right for you? It often depends on what industry you want to get into, what your career goals are, your financial situation, and so many other factors.

Let’s go over the differences of an internship vs. a job, then we’ll weigh the benefits of both.

Internship vs. Job: The Differences

When it comes to internships and jobs, there are some significant distinctions to consider. Here are a few of the most noteworthy differences:

Set Timeframe vs. Indefinite

Internships usually have a set time frame of a few months to a year. For example, a student may join a company as an intern during summer break.

Jobs can be seasonal or short-term, but that is the exception. (Around just 2-3 percent of jobs are temporary in any given week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.) Most jobs are long-term commitments with no pre-set end date. When a company hires a new employee, they typically expect them to contribute and excel in their role for several years.

Compensation

When you get a job, you will be compensated—normally, hourly or salaried—which will be explained to you during the hiring process. Depending on the internship type, an internship can be paid or unpaid.

Required Qualifications

The qualifications required for internships and jobs can vary greatly depending on factors like the specific position, industry, and opportunity.
Internships typically provide entry-level experience and may have specific requirements tailored to the role. On the other hand, job qualifications can vary significantly depending on the nature of the position. It is crucial to carefully read and understand the job description to determine the specific qualifications and skills needed for a job.


ALSO READ: How to Decode a Job Description


 Internship Benefits

Internships provide valuable insights into the real-world workings of a specific job field. They offer the opportunity to collaborate with industry-leading companies and gain knowledge from seasoned professionals. Let’s explore some of the advantages of participating in an internship.

Real-World Experience

As an intern, you gain real-world work experience. It adds to your resume and helps you clarify what it will take to advance in this new career. The advantages of direct exposure to a professional setting expand beyond what you can write on your resume. You gain insight into the industry, the job, and the people.

Can Lead to a Job Offer

In some circumstances, your internship can lead to a job offer. Just as some interns are testing the waters, some companies hire interns with an eye on potential long-term hires. But there are many situations where an internship will not lead to a job offer with that company, no matter how skilled you are. Sometimes, companies simply don’t need more full-time staff.

Builds Your Professional Network in the Industry

Even if the company you intern with isn’t hiring, the connections you make at your internship can help you find work. Strong professional contacts, people who know and like your work, are significant assets as you progress in your career. Even if they don’t get you your next job, you never know when you may receive help from (or be able to give it to) people in your network.

Can Increase Your Market Value

Finally, having practical work experience listed on your resume can significantly boost your your market value. It sets you apart from individuals who only possess theoretical knowledge without any real-world application.


Whether you’re seeking long-term employment or a summer internship, leveraging digital badges can enhance your prospects of securing the desired position. Check out our post, ‘What Are Digital Badges?‘ to discover how you can use this tool to your benefit.


 Cons of an Internship

The reality really varies from internship to internship. It’s essential to investigate each opportunity before starting. Here are a few of the potential cons:

  • If an internship is unpaid, the hours you devote to your internship are hours that you cannot use to make income.
  • Internships may not expose you to the work you want to do. For example, a graphic designer intern may dream of developing graphics for the company and showing off their talent, while the reality of the internship is office work and organization.
  • If you are a student, it could be demanding and interfere with your schoolwork.
  • There is no guarantee of a job for that company or even that you will be hired in your chosen field after the internship.

Job Benefits

When you look at the benefits of an internship vs. a job, you start to see the differences between the two opportunities. Like an internship, having a job allows you to develop your skills and professional network, but that is where the similarities end. Let’s go over a few of the benefits of traditional employment.

More Responsibility

Interns are usually short-term workers and are rarely given the same responsibility as long-term employees. When a company hires you, you step into the day-to-day of a position and become a key part of the staff.

Financial Stability & Benefits

Even if the job you start with is not your final destination, it provides a steady paycheck and work experience while you continue to work toward your long-term goals. A job helps you maintain and build your quality of life, and many jobs even offer benefits like health insurance, paid time off, and 401(k) plans.

Develop Your Professional Skills

If you talk to a retired person who had ten different jobs in their lifetime, they will likely tell you they gained valuable experience and knowledge from every job along their journey. Every job will help you develop your hard or soft skills.

Some companies offer employees opportunities to advance over time. If you want to earn additional degrees, some companies will help by paying part of the tuition. Others regularly provide professional training or send their staff to workshops to continue to learn and improve.

As you gain experience in a job, you become more proficient and knowledgeable, which can translate into advancements and pay increases.

Teamwork

Whether you work remotely or on location, a job makes you part of the team. You are better integrated into the work community and the company. You learn more about the company’s operations and gain insights into the industry.



Internship vs. Job: How to Choose

The best choice for you will depend on your:

  • Options available
  • Experience level
  • Financial requirements
  • Career goals

An internship may be best option if you need more experience to get a job, if there are quality internships available in your field, and if you can work for no or little pay for some time. Rarely will someone pick an internship over a job that presents similar opportunities. However, your lifestyle and preferences will help you decide which position you want to seek.

Here are a couple of other steps to help you navigate the decision process.

Are Internships Standard in Your Field?

If an internship is a normal part of career progression in your field, then it’s worth researching your options and finding one that suits your long-term goals and current needs. You may be able to find a paid internship or a program that regularly results in quality job prospects for participating interns.

What Are the Benefits of an Internship vs. Job?

If time working as an intern will position you for a better long-term job with higher pay, more advancement opportunities, or better benefits, then an internship may be a good choice for you. But if you can obtain the same advantages by starting to work immediately, there’s no real benefit in delaying your entry into the workforce.

You Design Your Career Path

The choice between an internship vs. a job is important, but what’s more important is knowing what you want and taking consistent action toward it! You may not have the job opportunities you want now, but with more experience and consistent effort, you can build your way to them.

Remember, it’s okay to ask employers for what you need. If you want to take an unpaid internship but will also need to work part-time, find out if you can get the flexibility to make that work. If you’re going to take a job but plan to continue your education, find out if there is any support from your potential company. It never hurts to ask.