The way of the future is here! The days of commuting to an office for 8 hours are long gone; more and more people work remotely now. Online internships create opportunities for college students and recent grads looking to stand out and explore the world from their homes. Students gain international internship experience and enjoy all the flexibility that virtual internships offer. Are you ready to dive into the competitive and rewarding world of remote internships? Here we share our top tips for finding an awesome remote internship, including how Sage Corps can help
Research a Program that’s a Good Match
Legitimate online internships are hard to find. Look for an internship that helps you build your skillset and grow your network. International internships come with the challenge and freedom of choosing a country, program, and company.
Utilize every network you have! You will find that most universities have a career center with advice and resources for internships. They can offer insight into programs run by the university. Even ask your friends if they are interested in any internships.
Explore LinkedIn or a website like Handshake through your university to find open positions. Make sure to do your own research on potential employers through Glassdoor reviews. If you are applying through a program (like Sage Corps), read reviews from previous participants. By using your networks and compiling research, you are equipped to make the best choice for yourself!
Compare Remote vs In-Person Programs
Both an in-person or a remote internship can give you valuable experiences. Virtual workspaces can open you up to the world; without spending the money on flights, housing, and commuting. As an intern working remotely, you will have opportunities to get a deeper understanding of a company, be involved in a variety of projects, and meet your colleagues just like you would if you were in person.
You would be amazed at the networking capabilities you have through the virtual landscape. Here you can find top conferences from around the world based on your industry or area of interest. Check out virtual networking events specifically for college students here on Eventbrite.
Source: Association for Career and Technical Education
The Association for Career & Technical Education offers networking events, tools, leadership development, and online learning opportunities.
If you’re in a Sage Corps program, there are weekly included professional networking events. These events range from Q&As with experienced professionals about their fields of expertise, fireside chats with alumni at top brands, to industry events for students to hone their skills (think demo days, tech launches, and pitch competitions).
Learn what types of roles exist for virtual internships
There are so many opportunities for you to have a rewarding and impactful internship within your field. Even if you are still choosing a career path, every chance will help you build your skills and experience. You will find there are virtual internship opportunities for a wide variety of majors.
Popular examples of virtual internship roles students get through Sage Corps:
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Digital & Content Marketing
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Sales & Business Development
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UX/UI Design and Graphic Design
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Data Analytics
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Business Analysis & finance
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Software Development
Some tips to get started in a remote internship
Sage Corps’ online program provides students with a structured program to navigate their career path, grounded in a comprehensive online curriculum. Remote work best practices are covered to prepare students with current expertise. If you are looking for more prep, explore common Remote Work Platforms utilized by virtual teams or find Job Skills You Can Learn Online!
Source: Sage Corps Remote Career Accelerator
How do the time zones affect my work schedule?
With global startups, there is a chance the company will be in a different timezone than where you live. The benefit to this is you can work early or late depending on location and your preference. You will need to communicate directly with the company you’re interning with to work out times where you are both able to meet and attend meetings. While there might be some late nights or early mornings, your impactful work will make it all worth it.
Often online work gives you more flexibility during your week. For the Sage Corps internship program, startups ask that students dedicate 15-20 hours per week. You will need to coordinate good times for meetings and check-ins throughout the week.
Is this internship paid?
This will depend on the internship. For many Sage Corps internships, we ask the startup company to provide a stipend for the student. The total compensation will depend if you’re working part-time or full-time for the semester. We match students on a rolling basis, so there is a higher chance to intern with a company where there is a stipend when you plan ahead and apply early.
Online internships are an excellent chance to grow your skillset, network, and gain hands-on experience.
Source: Sage Corps Virtual Internship Program
Interested in working with startups around the world? Click here to learn about our Online Career Accelerator program. You can start an application here. Have questions before you apply, feel free to reach out to our team.
