Post job

Student internship vs student assistant

The differences between student interns and student assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student internship has an average salary of $31,256, which is higher than the $25,439 average annual salary of a student assistant.

The top three skills for a student internship include patients, student intern and physical therapy. The most important skills for a student assistant are customer service, front desk, and administrative assistance.

Student internship vs student assistant overview

Student InternshipStudent Assistant
Yearly salary$31,256$25,439
Hourly rate$15.03$12.23
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs55,57829,093
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does a student internship do?

Student interns are student trainees in a company. They undergo on-the-job training as it may be required by their degree program in order to graduate. They are assigned to departments in companies that are related to the field of their degree program. Student interns are expected to get enrichment from the experience while also applying what they have learned in the classroom. They are usually given activities or tasks that will help expose them to the professional sphere of their chosen careers and the bigger world outside of the university. They may join company events and activities that will help acclimate them. Student interns should be responsible and diligent.

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.

Student internship vs student assistant salary

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

Student InternshipStudent Assistant
Average salary$31,256$25,439
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $44,000Between $17,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MAAlbany, NY
Highest paying stateAlaskaRhode Island
Best paying companyMicrosoftNcar - The National Center For Atmospheric Research
Best paying industryFinanceGovernment

Differences between student internship and student assistant education

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

Student InternshipStudent Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common college-Northwestern University

Student internship vs student assistant demographics

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

Student InternshipStudent Assistant
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 35.3% Female, 64.7%Male, 36.8% Female, 63.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 8.4% White, 56.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage6%6%

Differences between student internship and student assistant duties and responsibilities

Student internship example responsibilities.

  • Lead weekly groups about DBT skills training, behavior chaining, and personal goal-setting.
  • Spearhead companies launch into social media, including creating and managing firm's first twitter account.
  • Help veterans and their families learn to manage symptoms of PTSD through education, self-awareness, and becoming aware of triggers.
  • Help troubleshoot public computers according to directions and also manage database of library.
  • Manage a web-base graphical interface that utilize a SQL database to better track fabrication lab operations.
  • Promote health and support patients in bedside monitoring , 12 lead EKG, and Bennett 7200 ventilators.
  • Show more

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

Student internship vs student assistant skills

Common student internship skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Student Intern, 14%
  • Physical Therapy, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Mathematics, 3%
Common student assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Front Desk, 8%
  • Administrative Assistance, 7%
  • Financial Aid, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Office Equipment, 5%

Browse education, training, and library jobs