Internship Vs Freelance Work: Which Is Better For Undergraduates Who Are Looking To Gain Valuable Experience For Their CV? 

In today’s competitive work environment, students emerging from their undergraduate studies would probably want to be as best prepared as they can be when they do eventually graduate and embark on their career path. 

One huge advantage of being an undergraduate is that you will likely have time to fit in work experience in some capacity. This has traditionally been done via what’s known as an internship, a paid short-term placement with corporations. 

However, in a gig economy where people can generate income from multiple sources, undergraduates can also choose to gain experience through freelance work. So, for undergraduates looking to gain experience for their CV, should they opt for an internship or freelance work? 

Read Also: 18 Platforms University Students Should Be Using To Find Internships, Part-Time/Temp Jobs, Freelance Gigs 

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Internships 

First, we should look at internships as this is the more traditional bucket when it comes to garnering work experience. With internships, undergraduates will receive a more structured learning and mentorship environment given it’s typically taking place in a corporate environment where they’ll be required to go into the office. 

It should also give them experience of navigating internal structures of organisations and can provide a taste of what regular working hours and income will look like once they start their career.  

Beyond that, there will also be industry exposure and gaining a better understanding of corporate culture and processes, which are always changing given how fast-paced advancements in the world of technology take place.  

Some of the soft skills an undergraduate will potentially gain from internships include the likes of building a professional network and making connections. These can be invaluable after graduating and when they’re looking to enter the workforce – what is normally one of the hardest periods in anyone’s career – and securing their first full-time job.  

Finally, if undergraduates can make a good impression in an internship position, there is an opportunity for a full-time offer upon graduating. This will lift the burden of having to secure a job after graduating. 

On the flip side, internships can also have drawbacks. One of them includes limited flexibility in terms of work hours, based on how traditional or conservative the company culture is.   

Benefits And Drawbacks Of Freelance Work 

With freelancing, undergrads can have the flexibility to work during hours that suit their schedule. This is a key benefit given how class schedules could clash with normal working hours. 

Additionally, freelancing provides undergrads with the opportunity to gain exposure to multiple industries and clients as well as the chance to sharpen their business development and client management skills.  

In other words, freelancing can deliver a more “a la carte” experience of working life, where undergraduates can choose what works for them. By doing this, they could also potentially earn more by putting in more hours when they wish to.  

In terms of the downsides of freelancing, there is less structure involved which may make it difficult for certain people to adapt to the regular working environment. With a lack of mentorship or periodic feedback, it’s also incumbent on undergraduates to learn and take the lead themselves.  

Experience in the freelancing space may also be less valued by companies in more conservative industries so this is certainly something to take into consideration. 

Choose Based On Your Career Goals 

At the end of the day, internships and freelance work provide unique benefits and downsides. However, the decision to choose either could very much depend on the undergrads’ own personalities and needs. Are they more comfortable in a structured learning environment or will they thrive in a more independent and less formal environment? 

Freelancing is generally more suited to those in creative industries, such as writing, design or software development while internships work better for more formal roles and industries such as law, finance and engineering. Freelance work may also suit more entrepreneurial-oriented individuals while internships could be a better path for those who have clearly-defined career goals. 

However, it is probably ideal to experience both as that will give undergraduates an opportunity to gain more knowledge and try different work styles. From there, they can make a more informed decision on what works best for them and their future aspirations. 

Read Also: 11 Meaningful Jobs That JC Students Can Do While Waiting To Enter University 

Listen to our podcast, where we have in-depth discussions on finance topics that matter to you.