externships

Externships are structured, short-term professional experiences in which students or trainees observe and participate in the work of a particular field at a site outside their home institution. They are designed to provide exposure to a profession, workplace culture, and real-world practices without the long-term commitment of a traditional internship or residency.

In medicine and health care, externships (often called clinical externships) typically last from a few days to several weeks and emphasize observation, patient contact under supervision, and learning through case exposure. In law, externships place students at courts or government agencies to perform legal research and writing under attorney supervision. Other fields offer externships that may involve job shadowing, short projects, or field observations. The exact structure and emphasis vary by program and discipline, but externships generally focus on experiential learning rather than full-time employment.

Most externships are supervised experiences that may offer academic credit or stipends and can be in-person or virtual. They typically involve structured learning objectives, reflective assignments, and some form of evaluation of performance or learning outcomes.

Eligibility and access vary; students usually apply through campus career centers or program offices, submitting resumes, statements of interest, and sometimes letters of recommendation or background checks. Funding is variable; many externships are unpaid, though paid positions or stipends and course credits are possible.

Benefits include career exploration, professional networking, and practical context for classroom learning. Criticisms focus on uneven access, limited hands-on work, and concerns about exploitation when unpaid or when requirements are burdensome relative to benefits. See also internships, clerkships, practicums, and clinical placements.