The Internship Experience During COVID-19
Many students are hesitant to apply for internships that are remote because they are unsure if they would be getting the “full internship experience” or they wonder if they would learn the same skills that they would be if they were working in a company building. While most in-person internships have been cancelled, businesses are still working hard and adapting to give interns professional experience from home during the pandemic.
With the question in place regarding the effectiveness of remote work, one thing is certain: anything is worth doing even if you are taking one tidbit away from it! These virtual experiences are new for everyone, but valuable lessons can still be learned while working remotely.
Despite temporarily losing some of the luxuries that come with working in an office such as visiting a co-worker’s desk during the day or grabbing lunch in the busy streets of Manhattan’s Financial District, the tasks and responsibilities for JMG’s clients have remained the same. Many businesses have put systems in place to accommodate remote work for their employees and interns, therefore an online internship should not deter someone from applying to one. In today’s uncertain times, any experience is good experience, so long as learning is the outcome in the end.
While the summer for those with cancelled internships has not been going exactly as planned, it is still the perfect opportunity for growth and professional development be it that it’s from the comfort of your own home. There are a variety of free courses and certifications online that can be done on your own time. Take advantage of these opportunities to help boost your resume and create talking points with future employers.
During these times where we can feel disconnected, it is more important than ever to stay connected to your industry and up to date with emerging trends online. Reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn and keeping up with companies’ social media accounts are efficient ways to stay present even if you aren’t currently working within the industry. Still, be on the lookout for upcoming remote internships as companies are now more adjusted and open to transferring their programs!
While students are feeling uncertain, many employers have been experiencing the same, or possibly more, hesitation about running their own company’s internship program. It is the responsibility of these professionals to alleviate any issues that come with being online while instilling active communication with their interns and making their experience worthwhile overall. It is critical to connect with interns, or truly any employee, on a personal level despite being remote. For example, instead of typical “water cooler talk” in the office, JMG has been having impromptu virtual meetups called “Sip The Tea” where we discuss pop culture, current events, or anything fun going on in our lives! This has allowed for some fun and personal connections to be tied into the day between interns and professionals who have never met in person.
Despite so much uncertainty today, one thing is for sure: internships are crucial in professional development. Whether the experience of being an intern is in person or through a computer screen, there is still so much knowledge to gain while being in one of these programs. Take advantage of the experiences still being offered and remember that everybody is going through these challenges together.
Xo, SecretLifeOfAPRGirl
