An Internship from my Kitchen Table

I do not need to drive my car to the office nor wear an itchy business outfit. I do not have a nine to five day grind, an office, or any human contact, for that matter. I can work by sitting at my kitchen table, looking at a computer while wearing pajamas and drinking my own brewed coffee. Yes, that is what I have experienced during moments in my virtual internship.

A decade ago, the idea of a virtual internship seemed daunting. However, fueled by the improvement of technology and the growing expansion of social media, virtual internships are becoming more and more prevalent in businesses today. Many companies are using virtual interns as a way to also save money. Like wise, virtual interns do not have to spend money on gas by driving to one location from another.

Throughout my virtual internship, I was given a variety of projects to work on. I updated online press releases, researched editorial calendars, and had a chance to pitch my own ideas to promote the company.  My deadlines were always at the end of the week, giving me time to work on the projects.

I communicated with my director usually by e-mail, by checking my inbox two or three times a day. We talked on the phone once a week to discuss any concerns about projects or news about the company.

Working online was very interesting, and as much as it had its advantages, a virtual internship is not for everyone

I would not recommend them if a person cannot work independently. You need to have dedication to what you are working on and motivation to start projects. In addition, you need to have excellent time management skills in order to achieve a virtual internship.

My experience as a virtual intern has been very useful in increasing my career skills and I would recommend a company to use this type of internship.  I have broadened my knowledge in the public relations field by using online tools such as CisionPoint, Twitter, and websites to make me more competitive. In addition, I feel better prepared to start my career because of my greater understanding of the public relations industry as a whole and how all the segments are interrelated.