I spent the summer working in Portland, Oregon… from my couch in Illinois. It’s official – the future is here. I spent my short summer interning entirely online using Skype, Trello, and Google Drive to keep in touch with my co-workers and stay on top of my work.
When I was asked what I did over the summer and I replied that I had a virtual internship, I was often met with a derisive “Those exist now?” For some reason the concept of my work being online was off-putting. Maybe it’s because an older generation feels that working from home doesn’t meet their old-fashioned American standard of the Puritan work ethic. Maybe it just seems a little too ‘hipster-y’ for their taste. Regardless, I think it’s silly to put down what is becoming an increasingly common practice in corporate America – working from home.
There were some serious perks to a zero-minute commute. Being in the comfort of my own home meant I could lounge in my pajamas (though I wouldn’t recommend it) and take my time getting ready in the morning. My break could be spent taking a walk around my neighborhood and hunting for Pokémon or catching up on a recorded TV show. And there’s something comforting about being able to grab a snack from your own refrigerator when you’re having a tough day at work.
I was drawn to a virtual internship because I had spent the previous six months working full time, and I only had a two-month gap before I was back at school. There aren’t a lot of opportunities for meaningful employment in a two-month span that come with a low commitment. I wanted to have some time to enjoy my summer and connect with my loving family.
A virtual internship was exactly the right fit for me. If it is for you too - or if you just happen to be spending some time working from home - check out my tips for being a successful virtual employee. (And some very sleek stock photos).
Choose the right virtual internship.
Not all internships are created equal, and the same certainly goes for virtual internships. Carefully read job descriptions and ask questions during your interview. You want a position that will allow you to grow and develop new skills, not a company that will pile on busy work and be difficult to get in touch with.
Ask the right questions during your interview.
Ask them specifically about how they communicate with interns, and how available they will be to answer questions and provide new challenges. Find out if they have had other interns before and if they have seen interns grow professionally through their program. I was very lucky to find a program the emphasized education and professional development, and it made the work I did more meaningful.
Don’t go to work in your pajamas, even if work is at home.
It’s easy to want to stay in bed all day when you have the ability to work from home, but I recommend getting up, going through your normal morning routine and dressing professionally – or at least not in your pajamas. It helps put yourself in a working mindset. It is easier to focus and get the job done. That leads me into my next point.
Find a workspace in your home and stick with it when you’re ‘at work.’
Again, even though you’re at home, you’re working. It's important to find a space where you can focus and separate work from the time you normally spend lounging around your house. Whether it be the kitchen table, a desk, or the couch, going to a specific space will make it easier to focus on the job at hand.
Beware of time zones.
Though I was personally on Central Standard Time, the company I worked for was still on Pacific Standard Time. This was super overwhelming when I was setting up interviews, so be sure to clarify your time zone when setting up a phone call. This is one of the few times that the world clock section on your phone is handy.
Keep your computer charged and up to date.
There is nothing more frustrating than skype freezing in the middle of an important meeting. Mitigate the chances of that happening by regularly updating your computer’s software (no, don’t remind me later), making sure your computer is charged, and restarting it every once in a while.
Speaking of your computer, keep your desktop clear too.
our computer is your office, so make it a nice place to work. Put up a nice wallpaper, clear your desktop and don’t leave a million tabs open from your late night social media spiral.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Just because there is an extra layer of communication, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask questions. You will learn faster and be more effective at your job if you do.
