Where to Find Virtual Internships

Virtual internships are becoming increasingly popular in today’s digitised work landscape and provide remote students with an opportunity to kickstart their career in Australia. 

A virtual internship program may involve working with a range of government or non-government organisations and social enterprises to strengthen career-ready skills in a professional, online setting. Virtual internships also allow for work from home flexibility, so you can boost your employability even with travel and border restrictions in place worldwide. 

Are virtual internships worth it?

There are many benefits of virtual internships, from receiving mentorship from experienced professionals and learning effective communication and time management skills, to gaining industry-specific practical knowledge. COVID-19 has seen a huge shift to online work and virtual internships are now more common than ever. 

Interns have opportunities to get involved in real-world projects assigned by the host organisation in a field that aligns with their chosen career path and professional interests. Working independently and professionally from the comfort of your home environment is also a fantastic perk of virtual internship opportunities. As many internships are unpaid, it’s key to save money wherever possible, and virtual internships may make it easier to do just that. 

Where can international students find virtual internships?

Education provider

Firstly, your education provider is a great place to start for finding organisations that offer virtual internships. Many Australian educational institutions have career services available, and they usually partner with various companies and organisations to provide employment opportunities for students and alumni. 

If you are studying a degree that already includes an internship or work placement component, your course coordinator will most likely help arrange the experience for you. In this instance, you may request or express your interest in a virtual internship program, especially if you are studying remotely. 

Online portals

Since many virtual internship positions aren’t advertised on the host organisation’s website, it’s best to look on specific virtual internship websites that pool relevant programs together. Examples of such portals are Australian Internships and Navitas Professionals. Coordinating your internship with these companies can be great because you’ll have guidance and assistance every step of the way. However, it’s important to note that these programs can come with a fee, which covers resume and interview preparation, support services during your internship, and more. 

Alternative options would be exploring online portals such as Internships Down Under, that often have an extensive list of opportunities categorised by industries and location. It is also a good idea to check career websites such as SEEK, Jora, Indeed, Pedestrian Jobs and Grad Connection and search specifically for virtual internship opportunities. LinkedIn can also be another great tool. 

If you would like to gain some experience interning virtually, check out Forage (formerly InsideSherpa) where you can be involved in an ‘experiential learning’ program. This means you can gain virtual work experience by carrying out ‘real’ industry tasks to develop transferable skills for workplace readiness. Besides completing learning modules and practical tasks, you will also get to showcase your knowledge and skills, and potentially get noticed by recruiters from top companies. 

Recruitment agencies

Recruitment agencies and employment consultancy firms in your area will also recognise the rise in online work. This makes them a great point of contact to enquire about virtual internship positions. There may be a cost associated with accessing their service, so make sure to check before proceeding. 

Staying safe as an intern

Unpaid internships have been criticised for their legitimacy and the risk of interns being exploited. 

As outlined by the Fair Work Ombudsman, internships are types of on-the-job training. People doing this kind of training don't need to be paid if there's no employment relationship in place. But if there is, then the person doing the training is an employee. The business needs to pay them.

For more details about when an unpaid internship is okay, head to the Fair Work Ombudsman's website. 

What’s next after a virtual internship?

Virtual internships are designed to help you gain a practical insight into the work involved at the company you are interning at, as well as the skills and experience that will be worthwhile boosts to your resume. Although completing an internship program is not a prerequisite when applying for full-time graduate roles, most companies do consider previous internship experience favourably. If you have interned virtually, you may find that your chances of getting a job become higher. After all, virtual internships enable you to expand your network and build global connections.

By Neha Lalchandani