Remote internships have become a staple in today’s professional world, offering students the chance to gain work experience from anywhere. Whether you’re in a different city, balancing classes, or simply prefer the flexibility of working from home, virtual internships can open doors to opportunities that once required relocation.
The question is, are virtual internships valuable? The answer is yes, especially if you know how to make the most of them. From finding the right opportunity to building your professional network, there are key steps you can take to ensure your experience is both productive and rewarding. Here’s what you need to know to succeed in a remote college internship.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Remote internships offer flexible, valuable work experience and professional skill development.
• Look for opportunities through your school’s career center and alumni networks, as well as through federal programs.
• A dedicated, organized home office helps boost productivity and focus.
• Regular, proactive communication with managers is crucial for success.
• Documenting tasks and achievements as you go can help with resume updates and securing recommendations.
Finding Remote Internships
Colleges usually have information about internships, both those that are available during the school year and summer internships. It’s a good idea to check in with your school’s career center and see what intel it has on remote internships.
You might also get in touch with your school’s alumni organization, ask around in your personal networks, and see if your school will be hosting any job fairs during the upcoming semester.
You might also check out the Virtual Student Federal Service, which matches students with projects from a variety of federal agencies. This program is virtual, students can be in charge of their timetable, and the commitment is 10 hours a week. The application period opens in October for the following summer.
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Creating a Home Office to Support Success
Working from home is a new experience for some people, so creating an environment that helps to maintain focus and health is key to success.
As with any office building, there are a few things that can be done to make the space healthier.
If you’ll be spending most of the day in your home office, you may want to consider opening the windows, keeping the space clean, and investing in an air purifier.
A key piece of staying productive and reducing stress is having an organized space. When working from home, it helps to have a desk free of clutter. Research has shown that maintaining an organized space helps with cognition, emotional health, and behavior. All of these factors contribute to how people perform at work.
Succeeding at an internship as well as at school can be challenging. Setting boundaries for your work may help with prioritizing and prevent you from losing valuable study time.
Having set work hours can make it easier to turn “off” work mode and transition into study or relaxation mode.
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Paying Attention to Health
It’s important to be aware of the impact that working from home can have on your physical health. Long hours on a computer, both writing papers and doing work for your internship, can take a toll.
To prevent eye strain, try the 20-20-20 rule. It goes like this: Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
In addition to preventing eye strain, it’s a good idea to pay attention to your posture throughout the day. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends working in a neutral position that won’t strain joints and tendons, and changing positions, stretching, and walking throughout the day, as well as performing some tasks while standing.
Physical health isn’t the only kind that can be affected by spending long periods of time at home.
Some people have reported that working from home caused them to feel more stress, whereas others said it reduced stress. Since this varies, you’ll want to pay attention to your mental well-being during a remote internship.
To take care of your mental health, be sure to implement routines like walking, meditating, and calling friends.
Finding Value in Virtual Networking
Video calls are a great way to connect and network with others virtually.
Emails and phone calls are still important pieces of remote work, but with video calls, it’s easier to connect with remote coworkers and better understand them during meetings. Nonverbal communication skills are essential to good communication.
This means that networking virtually is possible. Networking during an internship is important because internships have the potential to turn into full-time positions. Asking colleagues to get together for a video chat to ask questions or better understand their position could improve the chance of being offered a job at the end of the internship.
Networking virtually takes planning and intentional communication, because coworkers can’t bond over lunch or chat at the water cooler. Setting up a virtual chat to get to know colleagues better can demonstrate the ability to take initiative and how seriously you are taking the position.
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Starting Off on the Right Foot
A virtual internship is going to work a bit differently from an in-person internship, which means students should be ready to ask a lot of questions.
Before beginning the internship, prepare a list of questions to ask the employer via email or video chat. Asking questions can help you develop important leadership skills, so it’s a good habit to develop during an internship.
Starting an internship off right also involves setting up regular check-ins with a manager. They may do this already, but if not, it’s OK to ask for it to be implemented. Receiving regular feedback can improve performance, and therefore help you get the most out of your internship.
Juggling studies and a remote internship may be intense, so part of being prepared is getting a calendar to track important dates and internship tasks. Blocking off time in a calendar to focus on the internship tasks could prevent moments of burnout and feeling overwhelmed.
Brushing Up On the Tech
Before beginning a virtual internship, it’s a good idea to get familiar with the common platforms that are used in remote work for communication, task management, file sharing, and online calendars.
Each workplace is going to use different programs; some may prefer Asana versus Trello when it comes to task management, and some may prefer Slack versus Microsoft Teams for communication within the team.
There are tons of programs out there to make virtual work easier. Interns won’t be able to learn them all, but brushing up on what’s popular may ease anxiety and increase feelings of preparedness.
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Documenting Your Success
It can be really easy to forget all that you’ve accomplished during an internship. Most internships last a whole semester (or summer), and if you aren’t tracking what their tasks and accomplishments are, you may forget them.
This is important information to keep for both yourself and your manager. Keeping things documented can help you easily add your accomplishments and new skills to your resume.
It will also make it easier for managers to write a letter of recommendation at the end of the internship. With luck, the manager will remember the best of your accomplishments, but if they’re managing a large team it could be difficult for them to write a letter without reference points.
A letter of recommendation can help you once you enter the workforce and begin applying for jobs.
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The Takeaway
Remote internships can be just as valuable as traditional, in-person experiences, potentially even more so. They can broaden your professional network across locations, give you flexibility in managing your schedule, and help you build essential digital communication skills. Success in a virtual setting comes down to preparing: finding the right opportunity, setting up a productive workspace, staying connected with colleagues, and keeping track of your achievements.
While many college internships are paid, some are not. Either way, you’ll likely still need financial support to cover the cost of college. Your funding options include federal aid (including grants, scholarships, and subsidized student loans), savings, help from parents or others, and private student loans.
It’s generally recommended that students exhaust all options of federal aid (including federal loans) before moving on to private loans. Federal loans come with benefits that students may not find elsewhere, such as income-based student loan repayment plans.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
How does a remote internship work?
A remote internship operates entirely online. You work from home or any location, communicating with your team through email, video calls, and project management tools. Tasks and deadlines are set, and you collaborate virtually. Regular check-ins and feedback sessions ensure you stay on track and receive guidance.
Is a remote internship worth it?
Absolutely. Remote internships offer flexibility, allowing you to gain valuable experience and skills without geographical constraints. They provide exposure to diverse industries and work cultures, and you can build a professional network. The experience can be just as enriching as an in-person internship and can significantly enhance your resume.
How can you succeed in a remote internship?
To excel in a remote internship, it’s important to stay organized and proactive. Be sure to set a routine, communicate clearly and frequently with your team, and use technology effectively. Take the initiative to ask questions and seek feedback, and stay engaged by participating in virtual meetings and networking events. Demonstrating reliability and a strong work ethic will help you stand out and make the most of the opportunity.
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