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Graduate internship vs clinical externship

The differences between graduate interns and clinical externships can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a graduate internship has an average salary of $52,511, which is higher than the $35,831 average annual salary of a clinical externship.

The top three skills for a graduate internship include patients, python and java. The most important skills for a clinical externship are patients, mental health, and patient care.

Graduate internship vs clinical externship overview

Graduate InternshipClinical Externship
Yearly salary$52,511$35,831
Hourly rate$25.25$17.23
Growth rate4%9%
Number of jobs48,96263,061
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4445
Years of experience-4

What does a graduate internship do?

A graduate internship is a short-term experience that oftentimes leads to a permanent position. The academic program allows graduates to experience different roles within an organization. This professional learning experience provides them with practical and meaningful work associated with their career interest or field of study. Many interns are hired by the company where they are working under an internship program due to their relevant work experience.

What does a clinical externship do?

A clinical externship is a short medical student program directly mentored by professionals within their chosen career path in healthcare. Clinical externs work in various settings such as hospitals, a doctor's office, or clinics and work directly with patients to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired in the classroom. They will be graded and must pass the program to be able to graduate from medical school. Externs must request a letter of recommendation from their site supervisor when applying for jobs.

Graduate internship vs clinical externship salary

Graduate interns and clinical externships have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graduate InternshipClinical Externship
Average salary$52,511$35,831
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $88,000Between $25,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAAlameda, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyMenorah Medical CenterGenentech
Best paying industryAutomotiveEducation

Differences between graduate internship and clinical externship education

There are a few differences between a graduate internship and a clinical externship in terms of educational background:

Graduate InternshipClinical Externship
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Graduate internship vs clinical externship demographics

Here are the differences between graduate interns' and clinical externships' demographics:

Graduate InternshipClinical Externship
Average age4445
Gender ratioMale, 35.1% Female, 64.9%Male, 25.8% Female, 74.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 10.4% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage6%15%

Differences between graduate internship and clinical externship duties and responsibilities

Graduate internship example responsibilities.

  • Develop several Perl scripts to assist engineers to validate RTL files and automate several processes.
  • Develop software in python to automate the test process for both functional validation and production test process.
  • Script in Perl in order to efficiently automate the process of setting up simulation conditions and collecting data.
  • Design PHP application to automate schedule updating process.
  • Assist with Facebook, Instagram, and twitter.
  • Provide counseling and recommendations to patients regarding their prescription and over-the-counter medications under the direct supervision of the on-duty pharmacist.
  • Show more

Clinical externship example responsibilities.

  • Set up and manage new medical transcription department.
  • Manage large scale TMF inventory/file cleanup projects in preparation for FDA and EMA inspections.
  • Manage difficult or emotional patient situations, with compassion and professionalism.
  • Participate in multiple studies managing CTM activities for various therapeutic areas simultaneously including oncology, urology, transplant, and immunology.
  • Monitor EKG's, assess blood pressure, palpate heart rates, safely progress patients in exercise.
  • Perform manual data entry in CTMS, TMF, CRF imaging and various departmental databases.
  • Show more

Graduate internship vs clinical externship skills

Common graduate internship skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Python, 10%
  • Java, 9%
  • PowerPoint, 8%
  • C++, 6%
  • Customer Service, 5%
Common clinical externship skills
  • Patients, 32%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%
  • Vital Signs, 4%
  • Substance Abuse, 4%

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