Students today are keener than ever to be exposed to corporate culture and gain industrial experience before they actually start their careers. That's when an internship seems like the best option! However, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, with the physical shutting down of offices, the future of internships seemed bleak. That's when Virtual Internships came into the picture! And even now, when the pandemic is under control, several companies are still offering virtual internships to eligible students.
A Virtual Internship is a work-experience programme that allows students to obtain professional hands-on experience, even as they work remotely. In such situations, email, messaging applications, virtual meeting apps or other platforms serve for communication and the sharing of ideas in the workplace. Students can improve their skill sets, expand their network of contacts and earn professional experience via virtual internships.
But before you jump into a virtual internship, here are the top 5 Dos & Don’ts to keep in mind.
Read: A Complete Guide on Internships for Beginners
1. Set personal goals
You must share some of your personal goals with supervisors so as to make them aware of your aspirations and be in a better position to achieve them. Offer or request regular check-ins so they can monitor your progress. Recording achievements can also be helpful in looking back on the virtual internship when updating your résumé and professional social media accounts.
2. Learn about the company
Before starting an internship, you must learn as much as you can about the company or organisation, in order to become familiar with the culture and communication style of the firm. Learn more about the managers and coworkers you are going to work with by reading online staff biographies. If you have questions to ask or want to learn more about the business, get in touch with them directly.
3. Socialise with other interns
Connecting with other interns is a great opportunity to provide and receive support, participate in and promote business culture, and expand your professional network, whether it is via email, messaging chats, or social media platforms. Interns can also explore ways to assist one another with the online internship programmes, gain knowledge from past mistakes, and inspire one another to work harder on projects.
4. Follow a schedule
Although working in a virtual internship doesn't necessitate going into an office, it is still vital to maintain a workday schedule. An intern may not start working at 11 a.m., as most businesses do because their official hours may be flexible or otherwise different. The most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure one is responsible for showing up and working throughout the time allotted to them. Keep track of deadlines, meetings, and other events on the calendar, and try to avoid being distracted while working.
5. Plan ahead
It's still important to plan ahead even when the internship will be conducted online. Make note of all the supplies and equipment interns have been given, such as the company manual and laptop. Create a work environment that is relaxing, peaceful, and beneficial to productivity. In addition to completing any necessary documentation, you should also think about exploring any programmes and platforms you need to use, as soon as you have the necessary information.
Check out: Top 4 Productivity Apps for Students
1. Over-commit at work
Working remotely can frequently make it appear as though the day never ends. That does not, however, mean that you have to put in more time than they would if they were an office employee. If as an intern, you feel overworked and need to find a balance, reach out to your supervisor and let them know.
2. Shy away from asking for help
Working remotely takes some getting used to, especially if you have never done it before. Ask for assistance whenever it is required, whether it is in learning how to organise your time and projects or how to avoid distractions during your work hours. A good place to start is by talking about the issues with your internship supervisor. By doing so, you will also display your competence as a professional. You should also regularly interact with other interns, friends, and classmates, as well as your campus career counselling to have a better understanding.
3. Forget Deadlines
Interns won't always have a colleague checking in on them when they work from home. To ensure that work is submitted on time, keep track of deadlines and important dates. If you have time to take on more jobs, it is important to inform your manager and finish assignments on time. Try to stay focused and minimise distractions. Building a work plan with intermediate project goals might also be useful since it allows you to keep track of your progress and, if necessary, change course in between meetings with supervisors.
4. Compare yourself with others
It is neither improper nor foolish to not know about a certain field of knowledge or technological advancement right at the start. Remember that everyone learns at their own rate, so one must avoid any kind of comparison with other interns. Instead, focus on doing everything in your capacity to improve yourself and learn quickly.
5. Miss out on virtual events
Orientation, social gatherings, a ceremony to celebrate success, and other events are frequently included in virtual internship packages. As an intern, make it a point to attend & participate in every panel discussion and online event that is taking place. These can be great opportunities to learn more and connect virtually with a broad range of people.
Starting a professional career with a virtual internship is a great idea for students. From learning about real-world situations to gaining more professional experience, it has a lot to offer. Students can have the confidence to walk the talk of an experienced professional by abiding by these dos and avoiding the don'ts of a virtual internship. After completing the internship, you will definitely have gained the skills necessary to feel at ease in an office setting, be able to communicate clearly, and leave your coworkers and superiors with a favourable image of your professionalism.
