10 Benefits of Remote Internships

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned into the most defining (if not the only) major event of 2020 and has already changed how employers, educators, and students interact with the world around them.

We’ve all had to react and adjust to different ways of communicating, working together, and socializing in a more virtual world.

Our “new normal” is looking increasingly virtual.

Evolving technology and digital literacy have always been hot topics for businesses and industries around the world. But, the ability to work remotely has suddenly gone from being a job perk to a standard resume skill in the 21st Century.

Work spaces have evolved from office buildings into practically anywhere that has access to the internet — and changing with them are the ways teams work together, managers oversee projects, and companies make decisions.

Now, virtual internships are crucial in preparing university students and young professionals for this new working world. Not only that, the personal and career benefits of remote internships can’t be overstated!

Are remote internships good?

Whether remote internships are good or not is quite subjective; it has more to do with your own personal and professional goals, as well as your ideal working environment. However, online internship programs are absolutely just as high-quality as on-site internships.

Working remotely is a skill, and it can’t be taught in a classroom. An employee’s ability to successfully manage themselves can only be developed through trial and error. Therefore, an online internship is the perfect way to test these skills.

In lieu of learning to work within a specific environment, interns are learning how to adapt their work to their environment — something professionals across all industries and all around the world have had to do this year.

Got a big fluffy dog at home staring at you the whole time you work? That’s awesome! But probably a little distracting too.

Moving forward, employers are going to have a new list of skills they’ll be looking for on resumes. Remote internships still offer the same opportunities for hands-on work experience and professional networking as in-person internships, but with different nuances and expectations.

Now, college students have the opportunity to gain unique work experience and professional skills, all while building their digital literacy skills in the comfort of their own homes — just one of many benefits of remote internships.

Read More: How to Boost Your Resume Through an Online Internship

10 benefits of remote internships

1. Independence

One of the more dynamic aspects of working in an office is learning different leadership styles and teamwork skills. While this is still true of remote internships, it now happens entirely online.

A major expectation of remote workers is a higher level of independence and autonomy. This comes with more responsibility and accountability on your part, but ultimately means that you get to choose how you want to tackle each project.

Some managers will be more “hands-on” than others, but it’s much harder to micromanage in a remote setting.

2. New resume skills

Digital literacy has been a necessary skill for many professions since the turn of the century. But in the aftermath of this global pandemic, the digital and technical skills needed will be updated for remote work capabilities.

For example, there will be no “IT guy” to come and check out your laptop or router if something happens to your laptop or internet connection. Plus, any “face-to-face chat” will take place using the various video call software available today.

Please don’t forget to put on pants.

One of the major benefits of remote internships is the ability to learn and adapt to new software; this will be crucial to a new employee’s success in any organization.

Also, working from home will enhance your time management skills as you have to hold yourself more accountable to complete tasks (less micromanaging, woo!); problem solving skills to navigate constant changing times; people skills to communicate with colleagues from around the world and different backgrounds.

There are so many key skills to gain and put on your resume from a remote internship.

3. Unlimited global access

Professional networking has taken on a whole new form in response to the global pandemic. Industry conferences and seminars are now taking place in “virtual halls and rooms,” suddenly giving access to many more participants around the world.

More meetings and introductions of international colleagues are now done via video conferencing, which allows for faster and more efficient global communication and collaboration.

4. Flexible schedule

One of our favorite benefits of remote internships? The added flexibility. Since your home is now your office, there’s no rush to beat traffic and arrive on-time every morning!

A more casual morning routine can help keep stress levels low and it gives you plenty of time for a healthy breakfast.

Employers still expect their employees to check-in each morning, but turning on your computer is way less stressful than navigating morning rush hour.

5. Improved work/life balance

Breakfast in bed and clocking in at noon? It’s possible!

Not only will your morning routine be more flexible, but so will your entire daily routine. All of your meal times can be adjusted to fit your wants and needs.

If your employer allows a flexible schedule, you can prioritize your productivity depending on what suits you best — morning, afternoon, evening, night.

Listening to your body can help you set a sleeping and eating schedule that could improve your work-life balance.

6. Cost-effective

Now, anyone on a budget can have a remote job. Removing daily commutes, coffee shop trips, or lunches out, significantly reduces costs.

In addition, doing business on another continent used to mean arranging time consuming and costly trips, which never included interns. Now, meetings and discussion are held virtually or via written communication.

This allows entire teams and interns to collaborate on an international level for little to no cost.

7. Environmentally friendly

Even the Earth is involved in the benefits of remote internships. While reduced business travel is more cost-effective for companies and employees, it’s also more environmentally friendly.

Traveling by plane is still one of the largest contributors to rising carbon emissions and our collective carbon footprint. Not only that, but daily commutes in many of the world’s largest cities cause dense, dangerous smog that reduces air quality and increases health problems.

As we’ve seen during this pandemic, more people working remotely means less harm to the environment.

8. Learn new ways to network

Socializing is typically a great way to network with colleagues and co-workers. Some companies organize happy hours or group lunches to let everyone catch up and have some relaxed conversation.

These days, many companies are organizing new ways for their remote workforce to socialize and network. Common activities include virtual happy hours, video calls to get some much-needed facetime, and projects involving members from different teams.

9. Create your own office

Now you can have a cozy, productive space all to yourself.

Do you want to create a workspace that’s exactly as you like it? That’s another one of the benefits of remote internships! As there is no pre-existing office for your workspace, you can make a space that’s totally your own.

There’s no bulky desk telephone to learn, and your desk chair will always be the perfect height.

As a bonus, you don’t even need to sit in a desk chair! Remote internships give you the perfect opportunity to figure out what work environment works best for you. It’s yours to create!

10. Avoid office politics

Another dynamic aspect of office work is socializing. One of the positives is professional networking; one of the negatives is gossip and office politics.

Every organization has a hierarchy and people vying for various positions and trying to achieve separate goals. Sometimes, it’s easy to get caught up in these rivalries and start ignoring your own professional goals.

The beauty of a remote internship is that you can still network and socialize virtually, but it’s so much easier to remove yourself from gossip and drama in the workplace. Say hello to a more peaceful work environment!

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Are remote internships good? You’re about to find out for yourself!

There are even more benefits of remote internships than the ones listed above, but we’re sure this is more than enough to set you on the right path. The greatest benefit is having hands-on, real work experience to increase your digital literacy and make you more competitive in the changing job market. 

The broader benefits of remote work — flexibility, independence, sustainability, affordability — are all key features of being a successful worker in the 21st Century. Remote internships teach students about these benefits and help them succeed under these conditions.

Browse ALL Online Internships on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from Global Experiences. Global Experiences (GE) has been a provider of international internships since 2001. Offering both in-person and virtual internship programs, GE has developed a vast professional network of over 4000 employers in more than 14 cities around the world. GE proudly announced their virtual international internship program (GE: Virtuoso) in the spring of 2020 in response to the global pandemic, and as a way to make international internships more accessible to students and young professionals around the world.