Part-Time Jobs vs. Internships: What Fresh Grads Need to Know

For most fresh graduates, gathering experiences and skills is an important aspect for establishing their reputation later. Some turn to part-time jobs, and some take internships. Both are good for expanding their career, but they are not equal to each other.

Working experience is one of the first aspects a recruiter looks at when scanning your CV. This is not always the case, but most companies prefer hiring for experience for a smoother and faster hiring process. This process is ideal when the company needs instant productivity and fresh perspective from experienced individuals.

As they are just fresh from school, most students and fresh grads have limited work experience. To close this gap, they usually take internships or work as a part-timer. While both of these are great to gain and improve working experience, they have a variety of differences.

Part-Time Job vs. Internship

Generally, the difference between a part-time job and an internship lies in their goals, duration, and structure. Here are brief details to help you choose which one is better for your next career move.

Part-time Jobs

According to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower definition, a part-time job is a form of employment where employees are required to work less than 35 hours a week. Similar to full-time employees, part-time employees are bound to a contract. They also have similar employee perks to full-time employees. However, a part-time job requires less commitment and has greater flexibility in structure than a full-time job.

Typically, the primary goal of working part-time is to earn more income while still retaining enough free time for other activities. This flexibility is suitable for fresh graduates who want to continue their education further.

Internships

Internships are a form of short-term employment, typically aimed at students or fresh graduates to help them gain skills and experience relevant to their field. Unlike a part-time job, an internship program usually only lasts a few months. However, despite the short period, the internship program usually delves deeper into career exploration and skill improvement.

Internship programs are typically unpaid, but nowadays interns are given modest stipends. The amount might not be as much as part-time jobs, but the learning and networking opportunities outweigh this small earnings.

Which One Should You Choose

Depending on your circumstances, an internship might suit you better than a part-time job and vice versa. Before choosing which one you want to do, consider these things:

• Think of your long-term career goals. Some industries might have better career development when you start from being an intern, like a career in law or finance.
• Consider your financial condition, and compare it with your career goal. It’s better to choose a part-time job when you need to cover some expenses, but if money is not a problem, you might want to consider an internship.

Final Thoughts

In summary, both part-time jobs and internships offer valuable working experience that students can’t gain in the classroom. The key difference lies in their primary purpose: while part-time jobs are usually aimed at earning income, internships are typically focused on gaining skills and experiences in a specific field. Regardless of which path you choose, both can provide meaningful experiences that support your future career development.

Next read: Connect Professionally: Networking Tips for Shy Person