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Student assistant vs internship

The differences between student assistants and interns can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an internship has an average salary of $35,254, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a student assistant include customer service, front desk and administrative assistance. The most important skills for an internship are powerpoint, financial statements, and C++.

Student assistant vs internship overview

Student AssistantInternship
Yearly salary$25,439$35,254
Hourly rate$12.23$16.95
Growth rate4%-5%
Number of jobs29,09351,064
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4447
Years of experience-2

What does a student assistant do?

Student assistants are university students who are working part-time for a staff member or department. They are usually assigned to do administrative or clerical activities to help ease the load of their supervisor. They may manage files and information dissemination channels of the department. They may extend assistance during the registration period by helping other students fill out forms, managing the department's enrollment procedure, or doing any other activity required by their supervisor. They may also be asked to mentor younger students. Student assistants should be organized and trustworthy.

What does an internship do?

Interns are trainees who are engaged by a company to work for them for a brief period. Interns usually use this opportunity to gain actual work experience, fulfill university or college requirements, and ensure that they are working towards the right career path for them. They sign on for a fixed amount of time. The responsibilities of interns depend on the company and the department that handles them. They do a variety of tasks that exposes them to the type of work that the company is engaged in and to the different aspects of the professional world.

Student assistant vs internship salary

Student assistants and interns have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student AssistantInternship
Average salary$25,439$35,254
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $37,000Between $24,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateRhode IslandAlaska
Best paying companyNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric ResearchQorvo
Best paying industryGovernmentTelecommunication

Differences between student assistant and internship education

There are a few differences between a student assistant and an internship in terms of educational background:

Student AssistantInternship
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityWestern Carolina University

Student assistant vs internship demographics

Here are the differences between student assistants' and interns' demographics:

Student AssistantInternship
Average age4447
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 10.3% White, 56.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between student assistant and internship duties and responsibilities

Student assistant example responsibilities.

  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Adhere to all aspects of FERPA and student confidentiality guidelines.
  • Answer phone, run errands, take messages, help office manager
  • Order, open and distribute office supplies weekly, and run errands.
  • Clean and stock supplies in restrooms, wash windows, walls and fix light fixtures.
  • Perform CPR during emergency rotation.
  • Show more

Internship example responsibilities.

  • Lead enrollment process efficiently through securing proper registration forms, official transcripts, immunization records, and IEP documentation as needed.
  • Manage all company financial transactions through QuickBooks.
  • Design PHP application to automate schedule updating process.
  • Manage a web-base graphical interface that utilize a SQL database to better track fabrication lab operations.
  • Organize online recipe content through the blog, design flyers for it and spread the contest word through twitter and blog.
  • Develop sponsored post strategy for LinkedIn and Facebook.
  • Show more

Student assistant vs internship skills

Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%
Common internship skills
  • PowerPoint, 10%
  • Financial Statements, 6%
  • C++, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Data Analysis, 4%
  • Facebook, 4%

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