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Student internship vs student volunteer

The differences between student interns and student volunteers 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 $29,145 average annual salary of a student volunteer.

The top three skills for a student internship include patients, student intern and physical therapy. The most important skills for a student volunteer are patients, criminal justice, and physical therapy.

Student internship vs student volunteer overview

Student InternshipStudent Volunteer
Yearly salary$31,256$29,145
Hourly rate$15.03$14.01
Growth rate4%12%
Number of jobs55,57812,024
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4443
Years of experience-12

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 volunteer do?

A student volunteer is an individual who participates in the university's volunteer program to gain work experience and develop new skills. Student volunteers make significant contributions to organizations and local communities by using their skills and giving their time. They follow directions and guidelines that are set by the organization and complete all the necessary training. To optimize their work experience, student volunteers must properly select an organization that appeals to their interests.

Student internship vs student volunteer salary

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

Student InternshipStudent Volunteer
Average salary$31,256$29,145
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $44,000Between $23,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityBoston, MA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMicrosoft-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between student internship and student volunteer education

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

Student InternshipStudent Volunteer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common college-University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Student internship vs student volunteer demographics

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

Student InternshipStudent Volunteer
Average age4443
Gender ratioMale, 35.3% Female, 64.7%Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%
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, 15.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 6.8% White, 50.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between student internship and student volunteer 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 volunteer example responsibilities.

  • Lead team-building exercises and facilitate group discussions on leadership topics.
  • Serve needs of ICU nurses, answer phone calls, bring patients need items.
  • Work with young children enroll in a soccer camp.
  • Tutor 6th grade students in advance mathematics in an afterschool program.
  • Create weekly attendance cards and monthly PowerPoint presentations to promote activities and events.
  • Conduct file audits on patient health records to identify and eliminate HIPPA violations.
  • Show more

Student internship vs student volunteer skills

Common student internship skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Student Intern, 14%
  • Physical Therapy, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Mathematics, 3%
Common student volunteer skills
  • Patients, 41%
  • Criminal Justice, 23%
  • Physical Therapy, 4%
  • Patient Care, 4%
  • Public Health, 3%
  • Medical History, 3%

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