If you are a college student looking to learn and gain work experience from home, look no further. You can become an intern and learn lots of things by joining a virtual internship. These internships are offered by top companies like J.P Morgan Chase, Tata and Deloitte and don’t require you to travel to an office.
You can complete them from your home and earn crucial certificates and work experience that would add value to your resume. All you need is a laptop and a good internet connection.
What is a Virtual Internship?
A virtual internship is a work experience program that takes place remotely and digitally. Students can do virtual internships from home. Interns gain practical and professional experience while working in a remote setting. They communicate with their employer through resources like Google Meet, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Emails and Webinars.
Interns may or may not be paid, depending on their job position. Unpaid internships are common, especially when the internship counts as academic credit toward graduation.
Basic Requirements for a Virtual Internship
- Requires a stable internet connection and a device like a computer, tablet, or mobile
- Avoid Technical glitches while completing tasks or interacting with teammates online.
Apart from this, there can be several rounds like Aptitude tests, Group Discussions and Interviews. You need to prepare well for all of them in the same way one prepares for an offline or on-campus internship.
Benefits of Doing a Virtual Internship
There are a lot of benefits of a remote internship:
- Save money and time: Unlike traditional internships, you won’t be expected to commute, and you can work from anywhere in the world, meaning you save money on rent and travel costs. As a student saving time and money while gaining work experience is a win-win situation. Students would not waste their time travelling to the offices and can use it for productivity.
- Enhance your resume: Working from home will improve your time management and self-discipline while you gain work experience. Virtual internships provide practical exposure to the corporate world
- Broaden your cross-cultural and global perspectives: If you’re working for an international firm you will network with people all around the world. You will also get exposure to different cultures and work together.
- Gain a sense of community and boost your connections: You’ll do this through online coffee breaks and weekly drop-in sessions on Google Meet and Teams.
How Can You Find a Virtual Internship?
There are many platforms available on the internet through which you can find a suitable virtual internship for you in your preferred domain. Below we have mentioned the Top 8 platforms used by students to get a paid virtual internship:
Forage
Forage is a free online platform that offers virtual internship programs. Students can participate in job and internship simulations, and earn certificates. It is the most popular virtual internship site among Indian students. Forage boasts of virtual internships from famous companies like J.P Morgan Chase, Tata and Deloitte.
- Gain experience: Students complete tasks that reflect real-world work at leading companies.
- Get noticed: Recruiters from top companies may notice your work.
- Build your resume: Employers may be more likely to invite you to interview or extend you an offer.
How to Find a Paid Virtual Internship on Forage?
- Register on Forage.
- Enroll in a job simulation.
- Complete tasks that replicate real work.
- Compare your work with model answers and earn a certificate.
You can enrol in multiple programs at a time, and you don’t need any prior experience or applications. Each program typically takes 5–8 hours to complete.
Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a website that provides information about jobs, salaries, and company reviews. They also offer a platform for employers to post job openings and internships. Glassdoor offers virtual as well as Work-from-Office internship opportunities to college students. The website is very user-friendly and the jobs are lucrative.
How can you Find Virtual Internships through Glassdoor?
- Visit the Glassdoor website.
- Navigate to the “Jobs” section.
- Use the search bar to enter relevant keywords such as “virtual internship,” “remote internship,” or specific job titles related to your field of interest.
- Review the internship listings to find virtual opportunities.
Top companies that Hire through Glassdoor:
- Krishna Translations
- Techolution
- Bechtel
- MTAB Technology Center
Indeed
Indeed is a job search engine that provides job listings from various sources. They also offer a platform for employers to post job openings and internships.
Top Virtual Internship Profiles on Indeed:
- Information Technology Intern
- Information Security Analyst
- Social Media Intern
- Graphic Design Intern
Chegg
Chegg Internships is a career portal and job board that connects students with internship and entry-level job openings. Students can access over 75,000 internship opportunities and resources to help them find the right internship.
Simply Hired
SimplyHired is a job search engine that provides job listings from various sources. They also offer a platform for employers to post job openings and internships.
SimplyHired offers a wide range of virtual internships and job opportunities from various industries. Some of the virtual internships available on SimplyHired include Website development, Graphic design, and Content.
Internshala
Internshala is a popular destination for Indian students to look for both internship and job opportunities. It is an online training and internship platform based in Gurgaon, India. It helps students find internships with organizations in India.
Internshala has over 40,000 paid internships in engineering, MBA, media, law, and arts fields. The minimum stipend for an in-office internship on Internshala is Rs. 2,000 per month, and for a work-from-home internship, it is Rs. 1,000 per month.
Some Popular Virtual Internships on Internshala:
- Virtual MBA Internship: Work from home in your preferred field and earn a stipend
- Work From Home Programming Internships: Includes Flutter App Development, Unity Game Development, Online Teaching (MIT Scratch), and Front End Development.
How can you Apply for Virtual Internships on Internshala?
Follow the steps:
- Register on Internshala with your email, phone number, and password.
- Go to the ‘Internships’ section and search for ‘Virtual Internship’ in the keyword box.
- You will see a list of available virtual internships in different categories, such as web development, digital marketing, content writing, graphic design, etc.
- Click on the internship that matches your profile and interest. You will see the details of the internship, such as duration, stipend, skills required, etc.
- If you are eligible and interested in applying for the internship, click on ‘Apply Now’. You must fill out an online application form with your details, academic qualifications, work experience (if any), and a resume or portfolio (if applicable).
- After submitting your application form, you will receive a confirmation email from Internshala. You can also track the status of your application on the website or app.
- If you are shortlisted for the interview round, you will be contacted by the employer or mentor through email or phone. You will have to prepare for the interview by researching the company or organisation and practising common questions.
- If you clear the interview round, you will receive an offer letter from Internshala. You will have to accept or decline the offer within 24 hours. If you accept the offer, you must complete some formalities before joining the internship.
Last but not least we have LinkedIn – The Largest Social media platform for the Corporate world. LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that is widely used for job searching, networking, and career development.
LinkedIn itself does not directly offer internships, but it serves as a platform for connecting employers and job seekers, including those seeking virtual or online internships.
How can you Find a Virtual Internship on LinkedIn?
Step 1: Create an attractive LinkedIn Profile
Make sure your LinkedIn profile is complete, highlighting your education, skills, and any relevant experience. For a detailed guide on creating a LinkedIn profile, read our article “How to Create a LinkedIn Profile as a College Student?”.
Step 2: Job Search Section on LinkedIn
Use the job search feature on LinkedIn to look for internships. Use keywords such as “virtual internship,” “online internship,” or specific terms related to your field of interest.
Step 3: Research and Follow Companies
Follow companies that interest you. Many companies post internship opportunities on their LinkedIn pages.
Step 4: Join LinkedIn Groups
Join relevant LinkedIn groups related to your field. Some groups post job and internship opportunities. You can also learn about new internship opportunities from the DU Squad Internship Fair section.
Step 5: Connect and Network
Connect with professionals in your industry. Networking can sometimes lead to learning about unadvertised opportunities.
Step 6: Utilize LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is a separate platform that offers courses. Completing relevant courses and adding them to your profile can enhance your credentials.
Top Companies Offering a Virtual Internship
| Tech Companies | Finance Companies | Consulting Companies | Marketing & Sales |
| Morgan Stanley | KPMG | Proctor & Gamble | |
| MTAB Tech | BCG | TCS | |
| IBM | Absolute Finance | EY | Infosys |
| Microsoft | Culmen International LLC | Deloitte | Cognizant |
| SAP | Mahindra Finance | Accenture | Tech Mahindra |
Are the Virtual Internships paid?
Whether a virtual internship is paid depends on the company. Many larger companies pay their interns, but some startups and NGOs may not be able to.
Websites like Forage offer only unpaid internships solely to gain industry-relevant skills and certificates upon completion whereas platforms like Glassdoor and LinkedIn provide actual paid internship listings from companies.
Some virtual internships are unpaid. Companies don’t have to pay interns if the intern benefits more from the experience than the company. You can get a virtual internship with a certificate by applying through the following link: DU Squad – Become a Contributor
Nevertheless, whether the Internship is paid or unpaid, the student gets to learn a lot from doing these internships. College students should try a variety of Internships throughout their college years to gain relevant exposure to the industry where they plan to make their future.
So, keep in mind to check out these awesome websites and start your upskilling journey today. #HappyLearning.
FAQs
Q1. Why should I consider a virtual internship as a college student?
Virtual internships offer flexibility, allowing you to gain valuable work experience without geographical constraints. They also provide an opportunity to develop remote work skills, which are increasingly important in today’s job market.
Q2. What skills do I need for a virtual internship?
Apart from specific job-related skills, virtual interns should possess strong communication, time management, and self-discipline skills. Proficiency in virtual collaboration tools and a proactive attitude are also highly valued.
Q3. How do I stand out in a virtual internship application?
Craft a compelling resume and cover letter, tailor your application to the specific role, and showcase relevant skills. Additionally, include any relevant coursework, projects, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your abilities and commitment.
Q4. Can I do a virtual internship with a company located in a different country?
Yes, many virtual internships allow you to work with companies globally. However, be mindful of time zone differences and ensure you can meet the required working hours.
Q5. Are virtual internships as valuable as in-person internships?
Yes, virtual internships can be equally valuable. They provide a chance to develop remote work skills and adaptability, which are increasingly sought after by employers. The key is to actively participate, communicate effectively, and deliver quality work.
