Internship vs. Part-Time Job: What’s Better for Your Student?

Which is better for students: internships or part-time jobs? Great question. 

But first, consider this statistic: The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) reported that 62% of 2023 graduating seniors took part in an internship at some point in their college career — and 59% of those were paid.

Many students struggle to manage their studies, finances and career goals, but your child’s goals, talents and experience often determine which of these two possibilities they choose. 

Understanding the pros and cons of internships and part-time jobs might help. After reading this article, you’ll learn how internships and part-time jobs differ, their benefits and how to help your child choose the one that best suits their goals.

Understanding the Basics: What Are Internships and Part-Time Jobs?

Student internships and part-time jobs are common ways to get work experience. Each has varied benefits depending on your student’s goals. Career-focused internships build skills and provide industry insights. Students learn the practical applications of their academic learning through set goals, assignments and outcomes. Internships last weeks or months and are generally more instructional than paid.

Unstructured part-time occupations are more general. They focus on earning a living and facilitating students. Operations typically trump professional development in these situations. While they may not be related to your child’s career, part-time jobs help them develop transferable skills like communication, time management and problem-solving. Both alternatives are useful, but recognizing their main distinctions is the first step to choosing one that meets your child’s needs and goals.

Internships: A Gateway to Professional Experience

Students seeking a career benefit from internships. These occupations let them experience an industry’s daily operations. They offer projects and activities that teach industrial conventions, technical skills and interpersonal dynamics. 

For example, an internship in digital marketing may involve developing content, reviewing campaign results and attending strategy sessions with experienced mentors. Your child can learn and implement what they study with this hands-on experience.

Internships also help with networking. As an intern, they’ll work with professionals who may mentor or promote them. Many employers consider internships a trial period for possible hiring, so these connections can lead to future chances. Internships show future employers that your child has taken the initiative to get relevant experience, distinguishing them from academic prospects. Some unpaid internships are worth the time and effort because they gain information, skills and professional connections.

Part-Time Jobs: Flexible Work and Income

On the other hand, part-time jobs can help students manage work and school while earning a living. They require fewer hours than full-time jobs, making them more flexible for students. Part-time employment provides crucial workplace skills for any retail, hospitality or office career. 

For example, retail customer service (“Can I help you coordinate that outfit?”) improves communication and problem-solving, whereas barista employment (“Whip or no whip?”) improves multitasking and time management.

However, part-time jobs do not always allow students to adapt their hours to exams and deadlines, creating a challenge when balancing academic and work commitments. 

For students feeling overwhelmed, questions like “How to write my college paper fast?” often come to mind as they struggle to manage their workload effectively. 

However, such challenges make it essential for students to evaluate whether part-time work can fit into their academic and personal responsibilities without causing undue stress.

Comparing the Benefits: What Are the Gains from Each?

Both internships and part-time work have benefits, but which your child prioritizes depends on their goals and circumstances. Industry-specific information and practical experience are best gained through internships. 

For example, graphic design students may intern at a design agency to work on real customer projects, get expert criticism and improve their creativity. These experiences enhance their field knowledge and give them an edge when searching for jobs after graduation. Internships offer:

• Industry-specific knowledge
• Networking opportunities
• Resume enhancement
• Career exploration

However, students wanting financial security or skill development may consider part-time jobs. Even without industry experience, they teach soft skills like cooperation, adaptability and customer service. 

For example, working in a busy restaurant helps them focus, handle stress and work with varied individuals. These transferable talents can boost their employability in any sector. Choosing between internships and part-time jobs relies on priorities — professional advancement or quick revenue? Part-time jobs may more readily help with:

• Financial support
• Workplace skills development
• Flexible hours
• Independence

Which Option Builds More Professional Connections?

Professional networking is a major benefit of internships. These programs immerse students in an industry and offer networking and professional interaction. In an internship, students may attend team meetings, work on projects or present to stakeholders. These experiences help build relationships with mentors, supervisors and colleagues who can offer advice, references and employment leads.

Part-time work may not connect your child with industry specialists. They may build close ties with coworkers or bosses, but these professions rarely expose them to industry-specific networks. Part-time employment teaches students how to create rapport and maintain professional relationships, which are useful in any career. 

Here’s the deal: Whether applying for internships or part-time jobs, networking and professionalism are always valuable.

Learn more: Paying for College and Ways to Get College Paid For

How Do Internships and Part-Time Jobs Impact Academic Performance?

Many students struggle to balance their jobs and academics, and the type of work they pick can affect their performance. Part-time jobs and internships often both allow students to adapt their hours during exams and project deadlines. 

However, part-time work, especially in fast-paced industries like retail or hospitality, can cause burnout. It’s important to balance employment and academics, whether your child works an internship or part-time.

Financial Considerations: Paid vs. Unpaid Opportunities

Many internships are unpaid in competitive areas like media, fashion and non-profits — or they may offer small stipends. You can usually find paid internships in IT and engineering. 

Not getting paid might be a major downside for students who need a consistent income. However, part-time work usually pays well and provides a steady income. Students can look into part-time retail, hospitality or freelancing jobs. These jobs can cover rent and tuition while maintaining flexibility. They offer financial independence to many students but may not offer career-specific training like internships. 

Ultimately, your child should decide whether they prefer professional expertise over instant earnings.

Learn more: Why is College so Expensive? and How to Reduce College Costs

Does Field of Study Influence the Decision?

Your child’s academic discipline also determines whether they choose an internship or part-time work. Engineering, health care and legal students typically require internships. Your child can construct a professional portfolio and acquire technical skills with hands-on experience related to their education. An engineering intern may work on design and analysis projects, whereas a pre-med student may assist with clinical chores to boost their resume.

However, part-time work may aid students in humanities, liberal arts and general business who don’t need technological skills. These jobs can teach your child soft skills like communication, organization and problem-solving, which are appreciated across industries. Some part-time employment, including freelance writing or virtual assistance, might help your child earn money and obtain valuable skills. Your child’s pick should match their field’s expectations.

Which Option Offers More Flexibility?

Flexibility is a key factor for students trying to manage their jobs, school and home life. Part-time jobs are usually more flexible. Many retail hospitality companies or service jobs know students have busy lives, so they provide flexible hours for classes, exams or holidays. This flexibility is especially helpful for students who balance various tasks like clubs, internships or taking care of others.

Internships are very helpful for building a job, but they often don’t offer much flexibility. Many jobs have set hours or need students to work full-time during certain times, like summer break. 

Can Internships Lead to Full-Time Employment?

One of the best reasons to do an internship is that it can help your child get a full-time job later. Many companies use internships to find and prepare future workers. Employers prefer to hire candidates who have already been taught and know how their organization works. For instance, a tech company might give full-time jobs to interns who have done well in their code or software development work during the internship.

Part-time jobs can sometimes lead to permanent positions, but this usually happens only if the job matches your child’s work goals. For example, a student working part-time in a law office might move into a full-time job there after graduation. 

Internships are specifically designed to ease this transition, making them a strategic choice for students who want to secure a job in their chosen field immediately after graduation.

Striking the Right Balance: Can Your Child Do Both?

Students can benefit from doing both internships and part-time work together. Your child can get professional training and earn money by working part-time during the school year and doing internships in the summer or winter breaks. For example, your child might work part-time as a barista during the school year to earn money and intern at a marketing agency in the summer to gain skills.

Balancing both requires good time management and self-control. Taking on too many responsibilities can cause your child to feel exhausted or affect their schoolwork. Setting clear priorities and planning maximizes every opportunity. Combining internships and part-time jobs can be a great option for driven students if your student can handle it all. (Some students just can do it all.)

Analyze the Pros and Cons of Internships vs. Part-Time Jobs

Help your child consider what they need most — experience in their field, extra income or a mix of both. Combining them may be preferable if your child’s schedule allows.

Finally, don’t underestimate self-care and time management. It’s tempting to chase possibilities, but your child’s education and health should come first. A weekly schedule or tool to track deadlines and hours can make a big difference in juggling work, school and life.

FAQs

Check out our frequently asked questions if you still have questions about which one will fit your student’s needs: internships or part-time jobs.

Is an internship or part-time job better?

It honestly depends on your child’s career goals, availability and commitment level. If your child wants to go into engineering, for example, an internship might be an ideal route because many engineering internships pay well. If your student can make it happen, they may want to consider doing both, particularly if they’re going into a field that usually doesn’t pay their interns. 

Are interns considered part-time employees?

Yes, if they’re paid. They’re employees of a company and they are entitled to the same legal protections as other employees. However, if they are not paid, they are not considered employees of the company.  Internships are highly regulated by the Department of Labor and have to meet certain requirements to be unpaid. If an internship doesn’t meet certain requirements, the internship must be paid.

Is $20 an hour good for an internship?

As always, it depends. It depends on your standards for payment, the industry’s standards and other factors. However, generally, $20 an hour might be low depending on the area in which the internship occurs. For example, in Los Angeles or New York, that might not be enough to live on, whereas in North Dakota, it might be an acceptable wage.