Why You’re Misunderstanding Online Internships

The Harsh Reality

Let’s face it. Prior to 2020, the term online internship sounded like an oxymoron to most people. How could someone work from their couch and also gain valuable knowledge in their career? How could someone make the connections needed to have a valuable internship experience, if they were at home? General opinion of online internships remained the same until the entire world needed to work from home during the pandemic, and quickly. Now, we know how possible it is to do most (not all) careers from the comfort of one's home. So, why aren’t internships the same?

Most people (especially those of the older generation) are completely underestimating the power of the online internship. They equate online work with a lack of productivity, not comprehending how actual work could get done from one's own home. I hear it all the time: “Who holds them accountable? Don’t they just go on their phone all day? They need to have someone watching them to make sure they get their work done!”?

But that's just the point. If someone needs to be physically watched to get their work done, maybe the motivation isn’t in the right place? While older generations might not be able to balance their attention in the home, young people, particularly students, are more than ready to take things online. According to WayUp.com 33% of employers are hiring virtual interns, with a whopping 71% of students open to the idea. For the future of work, young people are holding a large amount of power, and that's both terrifying, and exciting.?

The Great Equalizer

With internships of past often requiring connections, location, and even a car, these were far from accessible to all young people. This can be a tough pill that many don’t want to swallow.?

For many young people, an online internship grants them opportunities not otherwise possible. Without the pressure of needing to travel to the city in which their ideal company is located, students have more time to focus on the work that they’re doing rather than getting bogged down by the details. And isn’t this the entire point of an internship? To try out a career field and absorb all that you can, streamlined in an online format, as specifics like what to wear, and where to park all melt away. While having an in person (and even internship abroad opportunity as we have with Absolute Internship!) is an unmatched experience, having access to a remote version is deeply important. Both experiences offer unique and different adventures for a young person to start their career.?

By bringing internships online, we eliminate gatekeeping opportunities from those less able to move to new cities and leave the home. In today’s climate, internships are often unpaid, making only those with either a support system (ie parents and guardians) able to participate. This creates an unfair divide in those that can jumpstart their careers, and those that simply can’t due to financial constraints. By bringing internships online, we help to equalize the playing field.?

Mr/Mrs Worldwide

In addition to there being numerous technical benefits to an online internship, the globality of being virtual remains absolutely top notch. Students can work with people from all over the world, easily and without struggle. My own Absolute Internship has allowed thousands of students to intern with people all over the globe straight from their laptops! The skills that being able to work with people from different countries and cultures brings are unmatched. They will continue to benefit the intern for the rest of their working lives.?

This can bring a wider expanse of options for bilingual and english learning students as well,? who may have an interest in a specific field, but have been unable to pursue local options due to language barriers.??

It Takes A Village

Gen-Z also has powerful internet and technological skills that older generations crave. By allowing them to intern remotely, it allows the generation to utilize their skills in new, nontraditional ways. Many often say that the community aspect of an internship is lost when it turns remote.?

I couldn’t disagree more.

Community can be fostered in an online setting (and has been for well over 2 decades i.e. Twitter, Tumblr, Reddit etc) easily, it only takes the ability to know how to do it, something previous generations can lack. Online chat platforms such as Slack, allow for communication that can be taken on the go and is near constant.?

In Closing

You’re misunderstanding online internships because you aren’t seeing them for the progressive step forward that they are. Next time you find yourself doubting the legitimacy of online work, specifically internships, I urge you to remember this article. As the world moves towards a more technology focused place, we cannot continue to view anything in the digital space as “less than”. For many things, the digital world will only grow and become more ingrained with everyday life, so changing your mindset and educating yourself will keep you ahead of the curve.