Create a Remote Experience
Getting Started
Companies around the world are quickly changing how they manage recruitment of new talent, which includes managing experiences for college students like internships and other experiential learning opportunities. To help companies think through this process, the Career Center has gathered best practices to craft remote internships for the first time, and those who have managed virtual teams for years. Below resources will assist with planning for successful onboarding, training, and impactful work.
Guides and Resources to Create Successful Internships
- Employer Guide to Internships, SBU Career Center
- Remote Internships 101, Parker Dewey
- Reasons to Consider the Virtual Internship, Chegg
- Creative Ways to Make your Virtual Internship a Success, Handshake
Examples of Remote Internships and Descriptions
Darren Murph, Head of Remote for GitLab, stresses the importance of choosing the appropriate projects for remote interns.
“It's important to select projects which are important or notable to a large group.
This ensures that many people in the organization are invested in the interns success,
and it widens the scope of available mentors who are knowledgeable about the project
and can step in and help across time zones.”
Examples of remote internships:
TYPES OF EXPERIENCES
INTERNSHIP POLICIES
Face to Face versus Remote
What is the same?
Clear Roles and Responsibilities
Intern responsibilities, assignments, and compensation are set before recruitment begins; focus on deliverables. Expectations should be clearly set at the start of the experience and should be discussed frequently.
Recruiting
Recruiting interns through Handshake postings & transparent interview process.
Intentional Planning for Onboarding
It is important to create a plan to ensure a smooth transition into the organization and to help interns understand the culture of your organization.
Training
Develop a curriculum so interns can supplement their existing knowledge and skills with industry and company specific information and protocols.
Supervision
Create a structure for interns to regularly receive feedback and have the opportunity to network with yourself and others.
What is different?
Team
Give careful thought to how you will welcome interns into your organization and incorporate them into the team virtually What are the elements of your culture? What does engagement look like in a remote setting?
Communication
Serendipitous conversations are unlikely; communication must be planned, intentional, and extra clear.
Time Management
A remote internship requires independence and self discipline. Focus on having a set structured schedule and identify deliverables you expect on a consistent basis.
Technology
Reliance on technical skills and technical tools for shared communication and project updates is an important piece to consider; be on the lookout for interns without consistent access to technologies needed.
Opportunity
A remote internship creates an opportunity to think outside the box for leveraging virtual work innovatively in support of an organizational mission.