* Medical Assisting Student: This refers to someone enrolled in a formal, accredited medical assisting program. They are actively pursuing a certification or degree in medical assisting, typically taking classes and completing coursework, labs, and clinical rotations (which might *include* externships). Their learning is structured and graded.
* Extern: An extern is someone who is completing a supervised practical experience, often as part of a larger educational program (like a medical assisting program). It's a hands-on component of their education, allowing them to apply what they've learned in a real-world setting. While an extern *might* be a medical assisting student, an extern could also be a student in other healthcare fields (nursing, pharmacy tech, etc.) completing a clinical rotation. The focus is on practical application rather than formal classroom instruction.
In short: All externships are practical experiences, but not all externships are for medical assisting students. A medical assisting student *may* participate in an externship as part of their program.