Remote Internships for University Students – Are They Worth the Investment?

A remote internship is a job or training experience that students can complete from home. It does not involve an office. Instead, students work using the internet, email, video calls and other online tools.

Such internships give students work experience but allow them to do so from their home, hostels or otherwise.

Remote Internships for University Students

Remote internships themselves have been widely embraced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is now being offered to students from around the world by some corporate entities.

They are well and good if you are looking to gain experience but are norme able to travel or go and live in another city. You will receive the opportunity to learn, to work alongside professionals, to build your skills.

Benefits of Remote Internship

Here are just a few of the reasons that remote internships work well for university students like you. For one thing, they save you money and time. You don’t have to drop a dime on transportation, food or lodging in a strange city. Your room, a library or maybe a quiet coffee shop will work.

Second, remote internships allow you to have less rigid hours. You can complete tasks in the morning or the evening or whenever they fit into your college schedule. This can be a useful steppingstone if you are taking classes or exams and don’t want to miss out completely on work experience.

Third, they allow you to practice important skills. For example, how to manage working on a different time zone, how to communicate via email and video calls, how to use online management tools like Zoom, Google Doc and the project management software. These are skills that many companies are looking for in people they hire today.

Lastly, you have the opportunity to work with people from various countries and diverse cultures. And that’s a good thing, it makes you more confident when you go out in a world workwise. Even in an unpaid internship, you might find yourself one step ahead in a future job application or interview, or have a bit of insight to share when you apply to a graduate program.

Different kind of Remote Internships you can do

There are all kinds of remote internships available depending on the subject you’re studying or in which you’re interested. Here are some examples:

Content Writing: If you love writing, you can consider working as a content writer. You could be an author of company’s blog posts, articles or even social media posts.

Graphic Design: Those who are good at Photoshop, Canva, etc. can design logos, banners, even posters.

Digital Marketing: Available positions can teach you how to handle social media pages, create online advertisements and develop a business digitally.

Software Development: If you are trying to learn coding or software engineering, build a website, mobile application, or some sort of tech project.

Data Entry / Data Analysis (If you are Solid at Excel /numbers) This job is perfect for you. You will collaborate with data, reports and analysis.

Customer Service/Support: A few companies employ interns to answer customer inquiries via chat or email.

Teaching or Tutoring: if you are good at teaching or tutoring, you can offer classes to school students or you can teach spoken English to someone in another country.

You don’t have to be an expert from the start. Even if you hadn’t ever touched a line of Lua, you could still learn and improve over the course of the internship.

How to Get a Remote Internship

You can land a remote internship, but it requires a little work. Make a very basic resume first. It must include your name, contact information, education and any skills or projects you have worked on. You can also flesh out a LinkedIn profile, which many companies will consider before choosing interns.

And now, you can begin your search for internships. There are several websites that post remote internships every day. Some of the popular ones are:

• Internshala
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• AngelList
• Forage (online internships)
• LetsIntern

For your cover letter, write a brief and polite note. Explain to the company why you are interested and how you can contribute to it. And don’t forget to dial up your email checking if you haven’t heard from them by now, because they just might email you about the interview. The vast majority of interviews are online, using Google Meet or Zoom.

How to Make the Most of a Remote Internship

In order to succeed in a remote internship, you need to be active and accountable. The following are some easy tips to assist you:

Establish a daily routine: Even if you are working from home, pretend the internship is a real job. Create a schedule of regular work hours and stick to it.

Stay organized: Keep a notepad or an app to record your tasks and deadlines.

Ask questions: If you’re lost in something, ask your mentor. It’s fine to ask, and it shows that you care about your work.

Turn in work on time: Complete assignments by the due date. This contributes to trust being created with your manager.

Be present at meetings: Get on video calls or chats promptly. Clothes should be neat and the background clean.

Continue learning: Read, watch videos or take brief online courses to increase your skills.

Keep the lines of communication open: Don’t wait for your mentor to reach out. Occasionally check in with them about how you are doing.

Key Reminders

• Write a straightforward resume.
• Select internships that are connected to your industry or passions.
• Apply to lots of internships, not just one or two.
• Be persistent and don’t take rejection to heart.
• Continue sharpening your online skills.
• Practice speaking in English and writing clear emails.
• Attend your online meetings promptly.
• Complete your assignments and ask for feedback.
• Do better the next time, and learn from your mistakes.

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