Benefits of Online Internships for Students in 2023

Interns assemble!

With all the sweeping changes to the world’s economy in the last two years, students and graduates wanting to gain work experience with a company realize that remote internships are a solid option to get a chance to put that all-important experience on their resume. However, some students and graduates still wonder whether a remote internship provides the same benefits as an in-person one and, ultimately, if it’s worth undertaking online internships to build a professional career.

Why Intern Remotely?

To consider whether it’s worth undertaking a remote internship to accelerate your professional career, consider this scenario.

A few months from now, you will apply for a job, and it comes down to you and one other recent graduate. The only difference between you is that they did a remote internship while you did not.

• Which of you will have more to talk about in your interview?
• Which of you showed more initiative and adaptability?
• Which applicant would you hire?

When you look at it from that perspective, it’s clear to see that while a remote internship is different from a traditional in-company one, they’re incredibly valuable at accelerating your career. 

Benefits of Remote Internships

Remote placements can be challenging, particularly for first-time employees eager to learn the ins and outs of the workplace. But, they’re also, for better or worse, a way of life post-pandemic. So, what are the key benefits of online internships for students?

Price

Internship programs can be expensive, particularly when you add travel costs to the city or other distant locations. So undertaking a remote internship, generally unpaid in Australia, becomes more realistic.

Accessibility

No matter where in the world you’re from – whether a significant financial centre like New York or an emerging economic power like Delhi – professional experience is essential for career development. Access to online internships in your field can determine the types of job offers you receive, your future career progression and opportunities for higher income. Remote internships remove many barriers to entering internship programs, including challenges of visas and geographic location. In addition, you can undertake a remote internship from anywhere with a stable internet connection.

Flexibility

You no longer need to put your life on hold to gain work experience thanks to remote internships for students. Remote internships provide a more flexible solution regarding the number of hours worked weekly, the type of work, and even the timing. This means you can build your professional experience while working towards a degree with an online internship. Moreover, if you are looking for a career change, you can enhance your professional profile without setting aside your current work.

Objections to Remote Internships

Many students and graduates exploring are unsure whether they’ll get enough experience compared to an in-company one.

This is mainly due to current perceptions of online internships for students and how familiar they are with the idea of working remotely.

We see that students present three main objections to online internships for students:

1. Do online internships for students look as good to future employers as it would if they undertook the opportunity in-company?
2. Would they be able to develop their skills in the same way in online internships as in-company internships? Particularly as they wouldn’t be alongside people in the traditional sense. 
3. Similarly, as they wouldn’t be directly engaging with their colleagues, would they be able to develop meaningful, professional relationships in the same way through online internships for students?