What is the difference between the following terminologies: internship, experiential learning, co-op, service learning, field study, community service, and volunteer intern?
Internship is work done within your major or field of study of a college student; may be paid or unpaid; may be structured or unstructured; may earn college credits or not.
Experiential learning is a general description applied to any type of work which provides the participant with learning through experience
Co-op is usually applied to structured work programs in cooperation between the college and the private sector or company. It can include application of credits for work performed.
Service learning refers to unpaid work done for the purpose of further extending learning in a particular subject area. It can include observation, mentor-protege relationships and application of academic interests in a real world situation.
Field study is any type of work which is done "in the field" or in a real world situation; applies most typically to those areas of study which are theoretical- or experimentally- or laboratory-based in academics.
Community service is work for a not-for-profit or other community-based entity; is not necessarily within the field of study; is gernerally not paid.
Volunteer intern is any type of internship and you do not get paid.