Finding Internships in a Virtual Working World

Remote internships were one of the most important parts of my college experience. 

Through remote internships, I got a glimpse into what it would be like to work in my chosen career and learned some basic business (and remote work!) skills that I still utilize daily.

In this article, we cover a few ways to find (and benefit from) remote internships as a high schooler or college student.

• How to Find a Remote Internship
• The Benefits of a Remote Internship

How to Find a Remote Internship

In our increasingly virtual world with larger applicant pools, the way jobs are found is changing. Connections are becoming more important than ever, and virtual internship applicants must be diligent in their application follow-up.

Applying to internships can be daunting. But don't worry, we can help! Let's break it down into smaller to-dos that may be a little easier to wrap your head around.

Plus, these strategic tips will help you save time and stress in the long run. 

1. Talk to Friends, Family, and Acquaintances 

When looking for internship opportunities, turning to those you know is often the best place to start. Whether you’re sure about the type of internship you’d like or not, your family and friends can help you make connections and network with professionals.

Networking is interaction for the benefit of developing professional connections, and some may argue that it’s easier to do in a virtual world than in person. You can use social media to connect with those around you, join groups, and participate in conversations related to your community, local businesses, and neighbors.

How to do it:

1. Write down all the people in your circle who work in the field you are looking to go into
2. Create an email or text template (or a short script) you can use when asking folks to connect you to internships or share their career advice
3. Schedule 30 minutes to send emails and texts to those you want to connect with, or schedule when to meet with folks in person
4. Meet with all the peeps!
5. Connect with your friends, family, and acquaintances on LinkedIn

2. Reach out to Alumni and School Staff

Reaching out to those who graduated from your high school or college can be a great way to make connections with those who have walked in your shoes. Maybe you have a friend with an older sibling, or maybe your school has an alumni group you can join. You can make invaluable connections this way. 

Your teachers, professors, and advisor may be able to connect you to virtual internships as well. It doesn't hurt to ask!

How to do it:

1. Make a list of alumni and staff to reach out to
2. Write down a 30-second spiel or an email/text template explaining what kind of internship you are looking for or ask for advice
3. Practice your personal pitch so you're prepared for these conversations
4. Prepare which questions you want to ask. Do you want to ask about internship opportunities only? Or do you want to ask for career advice as well?
5. Schedule 30 minutes to send the emails and texts, or schedule when to meet with folks in person
6. Make sure to connect with everyone you talk to on LinkedIn!

3. Explore Job Search Sites

It may not be your first thought, but job search sites like Monster or Indeed can also be great places to find internships. While we’d encourage you not to place all of your efforts here, it’s a good idea to browse for opportunities. We'd also suggest that you join LinkedIn if you haven't already. LinkedIn will allow you to participate in professional conversations and be on the lookout for job opportunities.

How to do it:

1. Set a 30-minute timer and find as many internships as you can on job search sites

2. Ask yourself: Are there any patterns in what these employers are looking for in a candidate?
3. Narrow down your list of internships to five
4. Apply to the five internships you chose

4. Make Your Own Website

If you are interested in a creative field such as writing, design, marketing, tech, and more, it may benefit you to quickly spin up your own website to showcase your portfolio of work.

Or, just put together a virtual folder with your best work.

How to do it:

1. Gather your portfolio
2. Find a free website creator (like Wix)
3. Set a timer for one hour and build your site. If you need to, spread out the work over multiple one-hour sessions

5. Attend Career Fairs

Virtual and in-person career fairs can be a great way to learn about companies you've never heard of that offer remote internships. Keep an eye out on social media and from your school's comms for upcoming career fairs.

How to do it:

1. Register for an upcoming career fair
2. Purchase a business casual outfit (if you don't have one already)
3. Prepare your 30-second elevator pitch where you explain what kind of role you are looking for and the value you can provide to the company
4. Attend the fair
5. Follow up with those you spoke with on LinkedIn or via email. Here is a template you can use: "Hi [Name], it was great speaking with you at the [career fair name]. I’m very interested in learning more about [company’s internship program] and would love to stay connected."

The Benefits of a Remote Internship

Internships can be a wonderful start to your career. A few benefits of virtual internships include:

1. Ability to connect with people near and far 
2. Getting a glimpse of what working in your chosen field would be like (and having the chance to pivot your chosen career path while you're still in school)
3. The opportunity to apply what you've learned in class
4. A safe intro to adulting
5. Development of time management and discipline
6. Add remote work skills to your college resume

Wishing you the best of luck in your internship search!