Fellowships and internships are an excellent value add-on to your resume, especially if you’re starting your career and do not have any other work experience. As a student, you can pursue a fellowship or an internship while still in college. While these terms are used interchangeably, they differ in various ways, from the application process to the experience.
Stay On Top Of Your Academic Schedule
Sometimes undergoing a fellowship or internship might make you miss your regular classes. In such situations, you can hire online class takers to help you complete your college assignments and papers. Hiring a class taker online ensures that you stay on top of your academics, even if you’re busy with a fellowship or internship.
Learn the critical differences between fellowships and internships and choose the right one that fits your career path.
What Is A Fellowship?
It is primarily a research and training opportunity focusing on a specific subject area. Research institutions, universities, government organizations, industry groups, and some private companies generally offer fellowships.
Fellowships are primarily offered to post-graduate and doctorate students and provide them with an opportunity to research a particular topic or subject area. It helps them gain additional knowledge and skills in a specific field that allows them in their future career. Usually, candidates propose a topic they want to pursue during the fellowship. Then, they can write a research paper on it, develop a community-based solution or conduct a project on it.
Generally, fellowships require ample time ranging from six months to several years, based on the subject area. Many colleges offer a database of fellowships to which students can apply.
What Is An Internship?
Internships provide practical work experiences to students. It helps them experience a professional work environment before they graduate. Usually, interns are assigned entry-level work responsibilities and get to be a part of team-building activities. Internships help students learn about different roles and career paths.
Internships usually occur over the summer or fall holidays and typically range from a few weeks to a few months. The compensation varies depending on the internship. Some programs are unpaid but provide students with academic credit, while others offer monetary compensation.
Critical
Differences Between Internships & Fellowships
Features | Fellowships | Internships |
Purpose | Focuses on professional development and gaining a more profound knowledge of a subject matter. | To provide students with exposure to a professional work environment. |
Who is it for? | Graduate, post-graduates or doctorate students | Undergraduates |
Benefits | Fellows gain access to mentors and experts who are top in their field. | Interns gain many skills and abilities they can use in their future workplace. |
Selection process | Rigorous and competition is stiff. | It’s easier to secure an internship compared to fellowships. |
Which Is The Better Choice?
Comparing internships to fellowships is like an apple to oranges comparison. It all depends on what you’re looking to get out of the program. If you’re interested in a research-based career, a fellowship might be the better choice to advance your career prospects. On the other hand, if you plan to become a part of the professional workspace, internships are the better choice.
Understanding the difference between these two helps craft the correct application and also enables you to choose the experience that benefits you the most.