As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work, socialise, and study has completely changed. From remote working to virtual house parties, the world has moved online. As such, remote internships are on the rise.
Digital literacy has gone from being a nice bonus to a standard requirement in the job market. As workspaces continue to evolve, remote internships give students the opportunity to prepare for the new working landscape. And develop some essential digital skills in the process.
In this article, we dive into the world of remote internships and the benefits they offer students and graduates.
What is a Remote Internship?
Remote internships work in the same way as a traditional, in-person internship. The only difference is that you work remotely during the internship. During a virtual internship, you will do your onboarding and carry out your job online.
A common concern is that you won’t receive the same level of support during a remote internship. However, this is not the case. You will be in constant contact with your supervisors and colleagues, using communication tools such as Zoom or Slack. Typically, remote interns will also be expected to use project management tools so their manager can track their progress.
Just like a traditional internship, you will gain hands-on work experience and collaborate on different projects across the organisation.
Benefits of Remote Internships
Similar to remote working, virtual internships suit some students more than others. For instance, if you are a very social person or need a lot of guidance, you may prefer an on-site internship. On the other hand, many students prefer doing their internships online. Whichever option you choose, both types of internships offer the same quality of learning and experience for students.
We’ve broken down 5 fantastic benefits of virtual internships.
1. Build Autonomy and Initiative
As remote working becomes the new normal, workers are expected to be more independent. Working from home means you no longer have your manager at your side when you’re stuck. Therefore, you are required to take more responsibility and accountability for your work. While this may seem daunting at first, it encourages you to learn quickly and take the initiative.
2. Save Time and Money
Commuting to work every day during your internship not only takes up time in your day, but it costs money too. One of the biggest advantages of doing a remote internship is that you don’t have to travel. This means you save hours of time spent sitting in rush-hour traffic and don’t have to fork out money on petrol or public transport.
Interns don’t make much money, in fact, research has found that over half of internships in Europe are unpaid. Even those lucky enough to fund paid remote internships will need to budget, So, cutting travel costs is a huge perk. What’s more, you can further save money by making your meals at home rather than eating out and spending your hard-earned wages on expensive coffees.
3. Enjoy Better Work/Life Balance
Internships are a full-on experience. As such, many interns can burn out quickly. One of the best things about online internships is the added flexibility. By cutting out long commutes, you have more time in the day for yourself. This enables you to balance work and personal time better.
On top of saving on travel time, you also have more personal time at lunch. When working in an office environment, your lunch break is often spent in the employee cafeteria. While this is a good chance to socialise, remote working means you can spend that time however you like. For example, you could go for a walk, read, clean, or even take a nap.
4. Learn Highly In-Demand Skills
Remote internships are a fantastic way to develop sought-after technical and soft skills. In terms of technical skills, as a remote intern, you will boost your digital literacy. On top of learning new online tools, remote workers now must set up their own computers and workstations.
You will also hone valuable soft skills, such as problem-solving, written communication, and self-discipline. These are all highly desirable transferable skills that will look great on your CV.
5. Work for International Organisations
Traditionally, students were confined to doing an internship locally. While some do internships abroad, these are costly. Remote internships break down these barriers, giving you global access to internships. This means that you can now apply for virtual internships anywhere in the world and work with international organisations.
As well as opening up more internship possibilities, doing a remote internship in a multicultural company builds valuable skills. For instance, you gain valuable exposure to intercultural workplaces and develop your communication skills. Plus, there are more opportunities to network and maybe line up a graduate job. Put simply, it’s an excellent (and cost-effective) alternative to working abroad.
Are you starting an internship soon? Check out our handy guide on how to make the most of your internship. Or, browse our live job board for the latest remote graduate jobs.
Finding Remote Internships in the UK
Gaining work experience as a student or graduate is invaluable for your future career path. With so many students looking to build their graduate CVs, competition for remote internships UK is fierce. As such, we recommend applying early. The good new is that there are lots of ways to find online internships in the UK.
Here are just a few ways to land yourself the online internship of your dreams.
- Do your own research and apply to the companies you want to work for directly through their website (you will need to submit a CV and cover letter)
- Seek advice from your school or work experience co-ordinator
- Contact your university careers service
- Sign up for job boards for students and graduates that specifically cater to students and graduates
- Network online by following the companies you’re interested in on LinkedIn and Twitter
- Network with your friends, family, and wider community who may know of interesting remote internship opportunities in their organisations
Finding Remote Internship with International Organisations
If you are interested in doing an online internship with an overseas company, there are several resources that can support you. For example:
These organisations offer advice and support as well as open vacancies for both on-site and virtual internships.
Final Thoughts
Doing an internship gives you valuable work experience and insight into the working world. What’s more, many interns go on to find graduate employment with the companies they intern with.
By opting for a remote internship, you have the opportunity to work with a wider pool of employers, both locally and internationally. In addition, bypassing the lengthy commute saves you time and travel expenses.
Looking for internship opportunities? Be sure to also check out our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for the latest updates. Our website has a ton of useful resources for student jobseekers, including CV writing tips and advice on writing an impactful cover letter. If you have specific questions, feel free to contact us or sign up for the free Developing a Student email newsletter with the form below.
