Virtual Internship Program: Advantages and Disadvantages
A virtual internship is the opportunity to work as an intern with an organization offering a remote or online position. In a virtual internship, most of the communication and the tasks are done online. It is an upcoming trend that helps students and organizations overcome geographical distance and get what they require-experience and talent, respectively.
Before you take on a virtual internship, there are a few pointers you need to know. Just as with everything else, this too has both advantages and disadvantages.
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Advantages of Virtual Internships
1. Multi-tasking
Have classes in the morning? No issues, you can complete your work in the evening. A virtual internship gives you the time and space to do two or more things at once. You can attend classes, visit places, have a job, and still take on a virtual internship!
2. Independence
When you work alone instead of in an office setup, you get more freedom. You experience the freedom to manage your work schedule, innovate, learn, and much more. You will not be constantly monitored or supervised as in an offline internship.
3. Flexibility
Virtual internships help you overcome your distance and time barriers to gain the experience you want. You can work from anywhere and in your own free time, as long as you complete the allotted tasks.
4. Building new skills
The term ‘virtual’ says it all. You will have to improve your abilities in virtually interacting and completing tasks at the organization. Taking on such an opportunity means you will practice and hone your technology, time management, problem-solving, communication, and self-motivation skills.
5. Cost-effective
Completing a virtual internship helps you avoid the expense of commuting, or shifting, and accommodation based on the location of the organization. You can sit in the comfort of your home and save the money you are paid.
Disadvantages of Virtual Internships
1. Accessibility and technical hassles
Not everyone has the opportunity to take on virtual internships. You require a stable internet and a device such as mobile/tablet/computer/laptop. Further, you may still experience technical glitches while completing tasks or interacting with your teammates online.
2. Office environment
Virtual internships do not help you understand the actual workings of the organization. It may leave you feeling disconnected and alone in your work. Moreover, it does not reflect the real workplace or office work environment.
3. Limited supervision and teamwork
Through a virtual internship, you may deal only with one person who assigns tasks and checks your progress. In contrast, when working in an actual office setup, you interact with a range of people and get to know more about the company. Further, it also limits the feedback you receive on your work.
4. Miscommunication
When you interact virtually, there is a high chance of miscommunication. You may miss out on things due to technical glitches or forget to ask, or they may fail to mention. In an office setup, you can clarify your doubts quickly and be closely supervised. In a virtual internship, you have to put in extra effort to ensure communication is clear.
5. Distractions
A virtual internship means you can work from anywhere. However, when working from a non-office environment, there are plenty of things that can seem more interesting than your task. This can lead to distractions and delayed completion of work.
On the whole, for those who wish to learn and are self-disciplined, virtual internships are a boon. However, not everyone has access to such opportunities. Although it helps build skills, it cannot reflect the real work environment.
