Content Updated 04/22/2026
So, you have decided to further your education and pursue a career in healthcare. Congratulations on taking this important first step in your career journey! In your research, you may have heard the term externship used to describe the hands-on training you can expect in your program of choice.
Boardman Training Center (BTC) is committed to helping you understand the value of an externship and its critical role in your educational journey. An externship provides more than just hands-on experience. It offers the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in a real-world setting, build confidence in your skills, and gain insight into your chosen career field. By choosing a program that incorporates an externship, you’re not only enhancing your education but also giving yourself a competitive edge in the job market.
Continue reading this blog to discover how participating in an externship can strengthen your knowledge, expand your professional network, and help prepare for a rewarding future career.
What Is An Externship?
An externship is a unique experience that allows students to learn the hands-on skills needed for their careers in a real-world setting alongside industry professionals. Externships also serve as a way for students to connect with those in their chosen industry, where they will seek employment after graduation. Externships provide an additional layer of training beyond classroom instruction, making them invaluable to the learning experience.
Gain Valuable Experience
A healthcare externship is an invaluable opportunity for students to gain meaningful, real-world experience in their chosen field. While classroom instruction provides the foundation of knowledge, an externship allows students to take that knowledge a step further by applying their skills in a hands-on, professional setting. This experience helps bridge the gap between theory and practice, giving students a clearer understanding of what their future career will truly look like on a day-to-day basis.
During your externship, you will have the opportunity to work alongside experienced healthcare professionals in a real medical facility. This immersive environment allows you to observe and participate in patient care, administrative tasks, and clinical procedures under the guidance of trained mentors. As you engage with patients and healthcare teams, you will begin to build confidence in your abilities, improve your communication skills, and develop a stronger sense of professionalism.
Refine Your Skills
Our hands-on skill training approach sets Boardman Training Center apart from other schools. We believe that success in a healthcare career requires more than just understanding concepts. It requires the ability to apply those concepts in real-life situations confidently. That’s why our education model is centered around equipping students with practical, career-focused skills that translate directly into the workplace.
An externship allows students to step outside the classroom and into a professional healthcare setting, where they can put their training into action. This experience reinforces what they’ve learned, strengthens their abilities, and helps them feel more prepared and self-assured. By the time students complete their program, they don’t just understand the material; they have practiced it, refined it, and proven to themselves that they are ready to enter their chosen field.
At BTC, you not only gain clinical skills in a medical setting but also develop your soft skills. Skills such as communication and collaboration, problem-solving, and critical thinking are essential to providing quality patient care.
Make Professional Connections
Networking is a vital component of any career, and an externship provides an excellent opportunity to begin forming those important professional connections. In any field, who you know can often be just as valuable as what you know when looking for employment.
An externship allows you to immerse yourself in a professional environment where meaningful relationships can naturally develop. By working alongside experienced professionals in a medical facility, you can begin building connections that may support and guide you throughout your career.
During your time at BTC, you will not only develop your hands-on skills but also your professional connections. Throughout your education, you will connect with peers, instructors, and staff who can build your professional network. You will have the opportunity to interact with a wide range of healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, administrators, and other essential members of a healthcare team. These individuals can serve as mentors, offering guidance, sharing insights about the industry, and helping you better understand the expectations of your role. Building strong, positive relationships during this time can also lead to valuable references when you begin applying for jobs after graduation.
Get Started With Boardman Training Center!
Are you ready to take the next step toward a rewarding career in phlebotomy, EKG, medical assisting, or medical billing and coding? If so, then Boardman Training Center is the place for you! With a focus on hands-on training and real-world experience, BTC prepares students not only to learn their chosen field but to truly step into it with confidence.
Employers in the healthcare field are looking for candidates who are not only knowledgeable but also experienced and adaptable. By completing a program that includes an externship, you’ll graduate with a competitive edge, having already worked in a professional environment and demonstrated your ability.
Take the first step toward a future where your education goes beyond the classroom. Start the admissions process today by requesting information!