What is a ‘virtual internship’?

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What is a 'virtual internship'?
Read this guide to discover:

• What it's like to do a virtual internship (and work from home)
• The type of jobs a virtual intern might do
• How long virtual internships last
• Whether or not virtual internships are paid
• What makes a good virtual internship
• The differences between virtual internships and normal internships

You're in the right place if you're wondering...

• "'Virtual internship' vs 'normal internship' – what's the difference?"
• "Are virtual internships worth it?"
• "'Work from home internship' meaning?"
• "What is a remote internship?"

A virtual internship is a fixed and remote position in which tasks, communication, and feedback take place online.

Just like a standard internship, the goal is to develop your professional skills and gain experience in an industry You're considering for your career.

During your virtual internship, you'll take on junior-level tasks and, in most cases, will go through an established programme that includes project work and digital one to ones.

Your virtual internship will help you make professional connections and could lead to further opportunities with the organisation.

Employers of all kinds offer virtual internships. You may be paid for your time although it will likely be the minimum wage.

The terms 'virtual internship', 'remote internship' and 'work from home internship' all mean the same thing. Employers use them interchangeably.

What happens on a virtual internship?
You can read about this more broadly in the "What happens on an internship?" section of our "What is an 'internship'?" guide.

Here are some experiences specific to virtual internships:
You'll join the workforce online

During a virtual internship, you join an employer's workforce online to gain industry experience and relevant skills, enhancing your future job prospects in the process.

You'll probably take on specific project work
Because you'll be remote, virtual internships often involve working on a specific project. Continuity is important, so the scope of your work will likely be limited.

You'll keep in touch with colleagues digitally
Many employers run virtual internship programmes with the cons of the medium in mind.

So expect to stay in touch digitally with your colleagues.

Ideally, you'll have a mentor looking out for you and project work that keeps you connected to the team in the office/workplace.

You'll be introduced to a small number of employees
Expect to be introduced to a small number of employees during your virtual internship. T

here'll be no opportunities for introductions in the corridor or water cooler conversations, so your exposure to new people and different business areas will be limited.

What are the differences between 'on-site internships' (regular internships) and 'virtual internships'?
On-site internships and virtual internships both represent an opportunity to develop your skills and gain experience in a particular field or role.

But there are some key differences:
You'll be working remotely
The main difference between virtual and on-site internships is your location. With a virtual internship, you'll be carrying out tasks remotely instead of going into the workplace.

It's especially important that the employer has a plan to integrate you into the team
With the limitations of a virtual position, it's essential that your employer has a plan to support you while you work, and help you develop during your time.

Many on-site internships rely on the intern's initiative and willingness to find useful things to do. Working from a remote location makes greater demands on your initiative and focus.

Many virtual internships are developed with the medium in mind, with digital networking opportunities and online catch-ups with colleagues.
There's less chance you'll feel a part of the team
The downside of remote working is that you might not feel like you're a part of the team or gain the benefits that come with working with a new group of people.

These include the chance to develop your soft skills, instant feedback from your colleagues, and the ability to make friends and professional connections.

What does a virtual intern do?
You can read about an intern's role in more detail in the "What does an intern do?" section of our "What is an 'internship'?" guide.

The main differences between a virtual and standard intern's role are:
Your focus will be more specific
Most companies with established virtual intern programmes provide a meaningful experience that reflects their area of business and allows you the opportunity to develop.

It's likely that your area of focus will be specific, whether that's on a particular project or you're supporting one team or staff member.

You'll have less traditional office admin tasks
On-site interns often have to carry out administrative tasks, from sorting post and taking meeting minutes to handling orders for refreshments. Virtual interns usually have junior tasks that are more digital in nature, such as:

• Carrying out online research
• Collaborating across shared documents and spreadsheets
• Working within a specific platform created for the purpose of the organisation's virtual interns and their projects

What to expect to get out of a virtual internship?
You can read more about managing your expectations in the "What to expect to get out of an internship?" section of our "What is an 'internship'?" guide.

Some aspects of a virtual internship will impact how useful it will be for you. You should consider:

• How much effort and commitment you can offer despite working remotely and with reduced accountability
• Whether your skills are suited to a primarily digital position
• How comfortable you find working independently and with little supervision
• Whether the organisation has a process in place to ensure virtual interns are supported and managed effectively
• Whether the organisation provides digital networking opportunities
• Whether you'll be working on ad-hoc tasks or specific project work

Only a few of these factors are within your control. The truth is that the usefulness of your virtual internship will also come down to luck.

Read our "Why do an internship"?" guide to find out more.

Source: https://www.milkround.com/advice/what-is-a-virtual-internship