What if you want to apply skills you’ve acquired to a project within a company that’s located in a city that makes living there logistically impossible? Or, maybe you are wondering if most work in the company is from remote locations because of coronavirus precautions? A virtual internship, where you work remotely, communicate electronically, and produce a product, is an option. Here is a case example, including benefits realized:
In 2012, Pablo was a junior at a large public university when he changed his major to statistics. The summer prior to his senior year, a mutual acquaintance made the connection between him and a remote internship possibility that led to him being hired to work on a project where he could apply his statistical knowledge. Pablo signed a contract that outlined the timeline and deliverables, communicated and problem-solved with this organizational lead on a weekly basis, and flew to the organization’s home location to present the results of his statistical analysis, which were ultimately used in a larger organizational project. The benefits to Pablo of this virtual internship were abundant! He didn’t need to break his apartment lease and relocate to another city during the summer, he applied (and likely improved) his statistical and presentation skills, he made professional connections (though limited compared to working in person onsite), he had the flexibility in the role in that he could also take on a position locally that was convenient and helped pay the bills (even though it wasn’t linked to his professional career interests), and he was paid.
Whether through networks, reaching out to companies where you are interested in interning, or finding an opportunity online, virtual internships can be rewarding and feasible.
