SEVENTYFOUR/SHUTTERSTOCK
In 2013, while I was in college at the University of Arizona based in Tucson, I had the opportunity to participate in a remote internship opportunity with the Department of State in Washington, D.C., as a part of the Virtual Student Federal Service program. As you might imagine, remote internships were not as popular in 2013 as they are today.
Nevertheless, it was an incredible opportunity for me to learn how to work remotely, expand my network beyond my geographical location and grow my resume. I became a big believer in and advocate for remote internships since my own professional experience. As work changes, it is important that we prepare and build all the necessary skills to be successful in the office whether it be in-person, remote or hybrid. These are my key tips and advice for those seeking to leverage remote internships in their professional journey.
1. Research and take the steps to find your dream remote internship.
The very first step to begin your remote internship search is to start with research. Finding your dream remote internship can take time so make sure you begin this process early. In this stage, I encourage you to reflect on your career aspirations and plan what type of internship you’d like to pursue. This is the time to identify your career interests and passions. An internship is an opportunity to gain experience working in a new field. It can serve as a trial period to figure out if you like the potential role. With this in mind, feel free to branch out into a related field to see if it is a good fit for you.
Ahva Sadeghi
Once you decide on the type of internship you’d like to participate in, it is important to begin your due diligence on the organizations you are applying to. Check out Glassdoor for internship reviews to learn more about the experience of previous interns in the program. There are also lists like the Top 100 Internships that can help you discover credible programs. Keep in mind that an internship at a small firm or nonprofit could be a great opportunity to have a more hands-on experience.
Personally, I have done six different internships and learned a great deal about my own professional interests from each one. I strongly urge you to consider multiple internships throughout your career journey to test out various professional paths. Experience different industries as well as internship formats. From the founder of a remote internship management platform: If you have the opportunity, you should try out an in-person internship to learn if the world of remote work is right for you.
2. Prepare to succeed and shine as a remote intern.
Now that you’ve landed a remote internship, here is your time to shine and gain important skills working in your profession. Before your internship begins, prepare by sharpening your skills with the tools you will be using in the remote office like Slack, Excel, Notion, Asana, etc. In the remote workspace, tools are an important aspect of team and project management. Feel free to reach out to the hosting organization and ask them these questions in advance.
► How should I prepare for my internship?
► Should I get comfortable with using any particular tools in advance?
► Do I need any equipment like a laptop, printer or Wi-Fi?
By asking these questions, you will signal to the organization that you are ready to take this internship seriously and will be prepared for the role.
Once your program begins, you should work to demonstrate your active engagement and presence in the remote setting. You can do this by being punctual to all meetings and highly responsive to all forms of communication online. To avoid any confusion, you can ask your manager for clear expectations on response times and working hour time zones. During your internship, ask questions and seek out resources from your manager and internship cohort. Remember that you are there to learn.
3. Maintain connections after your remote internship.
Finally, your remote internship program can have a lasting positive impact on your career. Once your internship concludes, be sure to connect with your manager, mentors and other interns in the program. Make sure you don’t lose their emails and contact info so you can send a thank you message and ask to stay in touch after your internship program. One of the key benefits of an internship experience is the meaningful connections that you make during the program. It is important to nurture these connections and stay in touch. With a remote internship in particular, you can hope to meet them for coffee in person in the near future or stay in touch with regular virtual coffee chats. Many of my intern managers have become lifelong mentors invested in my career and professional development.
Hopefully, your remote internship can turn into an incredible full-time offer for you. If not, it is important to keep in mind that you will walk away with many learnings. Take time to reflect on the experience, the skills you gained and how you might apply that knowledge to your future career path.
Ahva Sadeghi is the CEO and co-founder of Symba, the remote internship platform on a mission to open up the workforce. She is a remote work leader who did her graduate studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
