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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Virtual Internships

What is a virtual internship?

A virtual internship, also known as an online or remote internship, is a work-based learning experience that takes place in a virtual or digital environment rather than a physical workplace. It provides individuals with an opportunity to gain practical work experience, learn new skills, and engage with employers through online platforms. Communication and collaboration with supervisors, mentors, and team members are conducted through online tools, such as video conferencing, email, instant messaging, and project management software. Read more about what a virtual internship is here.

What are the benefits of virtual internships?

If you are wondering if virtual/remote internships are worth it, then the short answer is yes. Between the chance to gain professional skills, work closely with company leaders, and gain exposure through international experience, there are many benefits of choosing a virtual/remote internship. One of the biggest advantages is flexibility because you’re able to gain experience and build your skills, but on s schedule that suits you and from wherever you want. Read more about the benefits of virtual internships here. 

What is the Virtual Internships Program and what does it include?

Our Virtual Internships program is so much more than an internship. Not only will you be guaranteed an a project-based internship placement in a career field of your choice, you’ll also be supported before, during, and after your internship by:

  • 24/7 access to a team of Intern Experience Managers (IEMs) whose goal is to make sure your internship is successful
  • An assigned Internship Coach with two private one-to-one coaching sessions during your internship
  • Access to a professional development curriculum, CareerBridge, with 12+ courses on building various soft skills and building key professional competencies
  • Fortnightly live webinars with industry experts
  • Weekly slack chats with fellow interns and Internship Experience Managers
  • A five-year Career Management Plan to set you up for success post-internship
  • Completion certificate and end-of-program report
  • A supportive alumni network with continued collaboration post-internship

What is a project-based internship?

Working on real-life projects is where significant growth occurs, especially early in your career. In the Virtual Internships program, all of our internships are project-based to give you a taste of what the working world is like. This means that all of our Host Companies must submit at least three projects that they need an intern to work on, we then review that, and align it with a specific career field to ensure you and the company are matched perfectly based on the skills and experience you want to gain and the projects they need you to work on. Before accepting an internship placement, you’ll be able to review the project placement plan which outlines what you’ll be working on.

What does interning remotely mean?

Unlike in-person internships, remote/virtual/online internships mean you will be setting your own hours, and deciding when you work. This enables you to fit your internship hours in around your schedule, and to gain exposure to a company in a country on a different part of the world to yours. Don’t worry, you won’t ever be expected to attend a meeting at 3am; you and your supervisor will work out the best time to meet at a time that suits you both. Outside of those meetings, it will be down to you to set your own internship work hours.

Who can do a Virtual Internship?

The short answer is any person over the age of 18* looking to build skills and confidence, and gain experience in a real-life working environment. The majority of our alumni are students who are looking to bridge the gap between university/college and the working world by gaining experience which will give them an advantage when entering the job market. You choose what works best for your schedule.  Summer internships are popular, but the beauty of virtual internships is that they can be done alongside your studies and other life commitments. 

Our program is open to people anywhere in the world, regardless of their background, major, or stage of university education. Our alumni have also included students, refugees, women returning to work after a career break, career switchers, high school students, and more. 

*If you are a school interested in our High School Program, find out more here.

Why do some of the internship programs involve a fee?

Individuals that apply to our program directly (not through a university or global partner) do pay a fee for the program. The fee is broken down into two parts: the acceptance fee which is paid in order to begin the internship matching process, and the final fee which is paid when the intern has accepted their internship placement. Our program includes a guaranteed internship placement in your chosen career field, two dedicated one-to-one sessions with a professional coach, 24/7 access to a team of Internship Experience Managers to support you for the duration of your internship, a career advancement curriculum, alumni network support, and a certificate of completion as well as LinkedIn endorsements. Our fee ensures that your experience boosts your employability and makes you a more rounded candidate when entering the job market.

How flexible is the internship program?

Flexibility to ensure the program works with your schedule is our top priority. In your application, you can:

  • Rank your preferred career fields for your internship. We will then align your internship match with your choices. 
  • Choose your start date. You’ll need roughly six weeks in between application and your start date to get matched and interview with your Host Company.
  • Choose the length of your internship from 1, 2, 3, or 4 months depending on your preferences.
  • Choose the number of hours you work per week. You will complete a minimum of 120 hours of work with your internship but you will have different options of how to build your schedule:
    • 1 month = 30 hours per week
    • 2 months = 20 or 30 hours per week
    • 3 months = 10, 20, or 30 hours per week
    • 4 months = 10, 20, or 30 hours per week

Does the duration of the internship affect the quality of the experience?

No, it does not. You will work the same minimum amount of hours in a one month internship as a four-month internship. We guarantee all interns the same program inclusions: 

  • Internship placement and work experience with one of our Host Companies
  • Weekly supervisor interaction or company calls
  • Career coaching calls
  • Employability resources

Will my internship be paid or unpaid?

At Virtual Internships, we understand the importance of gaining valuable work experience during your college journey. We recognize that while many students seek paid internships, the reality is that only around 15% of college students have access to such opportunities.

Our mission is to make internships more equitable by providing structured work experience programs that cater to students from all backgrounds and go beyond providing an internship placement. We work tirelessly with employers, universities, governments, and non-profit organizations to guarantee internship placements for all students, regardless of their financial situation.

With Virtual Internships, you can be assured of gaining critical work experience in a format that fits into your life. All our internships are conducted virtually, allowing you the flexibility to complete your work on your own time and schedule. Moreover, your career development is supported beyond the internship placement with ongoing coaching and career support throughout the experience, weekly expert webinars, regular feedback from your supervisor for improvement, and a curriculum to support your soft skill development.

If you're looking for an enriching, structured work experience that will provide you with the skills you need to kickstart your professional journey, Virtual Internships is here to help you. We're committed to creating a level playing field so every student has the opportunity to succeed and grow.

Still have questions?

Simply, sign-up to the platform here to connect with one of our advisors who can answer any of your questions.

Do I have to pay to host a remote intern?

No, there is no fee associated with hosting virtual interns through our platform. Virtual Internships offers our services free of charge to Host Companies. We believe in providing accessible opportunities for both companies and interns, allowing you to benefit from the talents and skills of our diverse pool of virtual interns without any financial obligations. It's important to note that any payments such as salary or stipends are at the discretion of the Host Company.

Many Host Companies have had positive experiences with our interns and have gone on to offer them further opportunities beyond their internship. We encourage Host Companies to recognize the potential of their interns and explore the possibility of extending employment or providing recommendations for future career prospects. Our virtual internship programs serve as a valuable stepping stone for interns to gain practical experience and build their professional network, often leading to exciting opportunities for career advancement.

What are the intern backgrounds? Do they have experience and work-ready skills? How good is their English proficiency?

Virtual Internships attracts a diverse pool of talented interns from various academic backgrounds and levels of experience. We have both undergraduate and graduate students participating in our program. Our interns have studied a wide range of subjects, including business, marketing, finance, technology, engineering, graphic design, social sciences, and more. While some interns may have previous work experience, others may be seeking their first professional opportunity.

We assess the skills and qualifications of each intern during our selection process to ensure they possess work-ready skills relevant to your specific project or role. Moreover, we prioritize English proficiency, and all our interns are required to have a good command of the English language to effectively communicate and contribute to your organization.

How does the matching process work? Can I see and choose interns?

Our matching process is designed to find the best fit for your company's needs. After you sign-up as a Host Company, we will provide you with a curated selection of recommended interns based on their skills, qualifications, and interests. You will have the opportunity to review their profiles, including their resumes, academic backgrounds, and any additional materials they have submitted. You can also conduct interviews with the candidates to ensure a good fit for your organization. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you have the flexibility to select the intern who best aligns with your requirements.

What is the maximum number of interns I can take?

There is no maximum limit to the number of interns you can host. We understand that different organizations have varying needs and capacities. Whether you are looking to host a single intern or a larger group, we can accommodate your requirements. Our team will work closely with you to determine the appropriate number of interns that aligns with your project goals and resources.

What are the logistics regarding start dates, duration, and hours?

The logistics of hosting virtual interns can be tailored to your company's needs through matching you with an intern with a start date and duration that suits your timeline. Interns will have set start dates (always starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday) for their internships, as well as a set duration of 4 to 16 weeks and 10 to 30 hours per week. It’s our role to match you with an intern that best suits what you’re both looking for. Our team will guide you through the logistics to ensure a seamless and mutually beneficial internship experience.

How much time do we need to dedicate as a Host Company and what’s expected of us?

First and foremost, every company that wants to host interns through our platform needs to meet our Host Company requirements. Whilst there is no cost involved for companies to host interns, we expect a high level of responsiveness and engagement with our internship process. This includes completion of Project Placement Plans (PPPs) either created from scratch by you or using one of our 250+ ready-made templates; weekly checkpoints completed; and pre- and post-program evaluations of the intern and experience completed. It’s up to you to decide the structure of your internship for the intern, but it is mandatory that you meet on a video or audio call with our intern/s at least once per week (most of our companies choose to check in daily). And of course, above all, we expect professionalism to ensure this is a positive experience for all parties involved.

Do I qualify as a company? Are there specific requirements or timezone/country restrictions?

We welcome Host Companies from around the world to participate in our program. To qualify as a Host Company, we have specific criteria based on factors such as the number of employees, website and LinkedIn quality, business registration, English proficiency, variety of internship projects available, and experience with remote work. We welcome companies from different timezones and countries. If you're interested in joining our network, please sign-up, and we can discuss the potential partnership.

What support does Virtual Internships offer?

From the start of the experience, Host Companies are supported by our team. Firstly, you can select from one of our 250+ ready-made project plans for your internship or select your own. Our team will help you to design an internship that is going to meet your needs as a company and be a beneficial learning and development experience for the intern. We support the intern throughout their internship with employability courses, webinars, slack slacks, weekly check-ins, coaching sessions and more to ensure they are successful in their internship and thus, you achieve the results you need for your project.

What happens when the internship starts?

When the internship starts, Virtual Internships supports both Host Companies and interns throughout the program. Host companies provide guidance and supervision, while we offer comprehensive support. We assist with onboarding, provide resources for professional development, conduct regular check-ins, and facilitate open communication channels. Interns receive certificates of completion, recognizing their participation, and Host Companies are acknowledged for their contribution to their professional development.

Still have questions?

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Simply, </span><a href="https://web.virtualinternships.com/company/get-started"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sign-up to the platform here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to connect with one of our advisors who can answer any of your questions.</span>

Do I have to pay to host a remote intern?

No, there is no fee associated with hosting virtual interns through our platform. Virtual Internships offers our services free of charge to Host Companies. We believe in providing accessible opportunities for both companies and interns, allowing you to benefit from the talents and skills of our diverse pool of virtual interns without any financial obligations. It's important to note that any payments such as salary or stipends are at the discretion of the Host Company.

Many Host Companies have had positive experiences with our interns and have gone on to offer them further opportunities beyond their internship. We encourage Host Companies to recognize the potential of their interns and explore the possibility of extending employment or providing recommendations for future career prospects. Our virtual internship programs serve as a valuable stepping stone for interns to gain practical experience and build their professional network, often leading to exciting opportunities for career advancement.

What are the intern backgrounds? Do they have experience and work-ready skills? How good is their English proficiency?

Virtual Internships attracts a diverse pool of talented interns from various academic backgrounds and levels of experience. We have both undergraduate and graduate students participating in our program. Our interns have studied a wide range of subjects, including business, marketing, finance, technology, engineering, graphic design, social sciences, and more. While some interns may have previous work experience, others may be seeking their first professional opportunity.

We assess the skills and qualifications of each intern during our selection process to ensure they possess work-ready skills relevant to your specific project or role. Moreover, we prioritize English proficiency, and all our interns are required to have a good command of the English language to effectively communicate and contribute to your organization.

How does the matching process work? Can I see and choose interns?

Our matching process is designed to find the best fit for your company's needs. After you sign-up as a Host Company, we will provide you with a curated selection of recommended interns based on their skills, qualifications, and interests. You will have the opportunity to review their profiles, including their resumes, academic backgrounds, and any additional materials they have submitted. You can also conduct interviews with the candidates to ensure a good fit for your organization. Ultimately, the choice is yours, and you have the flexibility to select the intern who best aligns with your requirements.

What is the maximum number of interns I can take?

There is no maximum limit to the number of interns you can host. We understand that different organizations have varying needs and capacities. Whether you are looking to host a single intern or a larger group, we can accommodate your requirements. Our team will work closely with you to determine the appropriate number of interns that aligns with your project goals and resources.

What are the logistics regarding start dates, duration, and hours?

The logistics of hosting virtual interns can be tailored to your company's needs through matching you with an intern with a start date and duration that suits your timeline. Interns will have set start dates (always starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday) for their internships, as well as a set duration of 4 to 16 weeks and 10 to 30 hours per week. It’s our role to match you with an intern that best suits what you’re both looking for. Our team will guide you through the logistics to ensure a seamless and mutually beneficial internship experience.

How much time do we need to dedicate as a Host Company and what’s expected of us?

First and foremost, every company that wants to host interns through our platform needs to meet our Host Company requirements. Whilst there is no cost involved for companies to host interns, we expect a high level of responsiveness and engagement with our internship process. This includes completion of Project Placement Plans (PPPs) either created from scratch by you or using one of our 250+ ready-made templates; weekly checkpoints completed; and pre- and post-program evaluations of the intern and experience completed. It’s up to you to decide the structure of your internship for the intern, but it is mandatory that you meet on a video or audio call with our intern/s at least once per week (most of our companies choose to check in daily). And of course, above all, we expect professionalism to ensure this is a positive experience for all parties involved.

Do I qualify as a company? Are there specific requirements or timezone/country restrictions?

We welcome Host Companies from around the world to participate in our program. To qualify as a Host Company, we have specific criteria based on factors such as the number of employees, website and LinkedIn quality, business registration, English proficiency, variety of internship projects available, and experience with remote work. We welcome companies from different timezones and countries. If you're interested in joining our network, please sign-up, and we can discuss the potential partnership.

What support does Virtual Internships offer?

From the start of the experience, Host Companies are supported by our team. Firstly, you can select from one of our 250+ ready-made project plans for your internship or select your own. Our team will help you to design an internship that is going to meet your needs as a company and be a beneficial learning and development experience for the intern. We support the intern throughout their internship with employability courses, webinars, slack slacks, weekly check-ins, coaching sessions and more to ensure they are successful in their internship and thus, you achieve the results you need for your project.

What happens when the internship starts?

When the internship starts, Virtual Internships supports both Host Companies and interns throughout the program. Host companies provide guidance and supervision, while we offer comprehensive support. We assist with onboarding, provide resources for professional development, conduct regular check-ins, and facilitate open communication channels. Interns receive certificates of completion, recognizing their participation, and Host Companies are acknowledged for their contribution to their professional development.

Still have questions?

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Simply, </span><a href="https://web.virtualinternships.com/company/get-started"><span style="font-weight: 400;">sign-up to the platform here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to connect with one of our advisors who can answer any of your questions.</span>