Consider chunking up your longer internship into projects or “micro-internships”. Ideally, these are projects from your “wish list” that you would do given more time and person power. These projects should be short-term (between 5-15 hours), time-bound, and have clearly-defined objectives.

Examples include:

• Conducting market research
• Developing a social media marketing plan
• Generating newsletter or blog content
• Supporting virtual conference planning
• Developing communications with customers during COVID-19
• Editing episodes and producing social media content for a podcast series
• Creating operations dashboards
• Developing educational training materials

Before jumping in, intentionally consider...

• What is feasible in an online environment?
• What resources are needed? (E.g. video conferencing apps, file sharing tools, project management systems)
• Who will coach/mentor this employee? Will one person provide the most continuity to a remote intern or should a team be engaged to offer advice/feedback on training or project work?

Handshake’s Blog, Creative Ways to Make your Virtual Internship a Success shares that 89% of students pursuing a 2020 summer internship would prefer a remote internship over a canceled one. The blog post offers useful checklists to help you and your team plan how to provide:

• Consistent communication
• Regular meeting times
• Clear expectations
• Pathways for consistent feedback (for both student and the supervisor)

Compensation for an internship is not required or regulated by UVM. However, many students necessitate some kind of compensation for internships and cannot afford to work for free. We strongly recommend that employers compensate interns for their work.

Research demonstrates that paid internships generate 2.5 times the number of applicants, a more diverse applicant pool, more engaged interns, and a steadier flow of talent who may covert to future employees.

If hosting unpaid interns, please learn more about the Department of Labor’s requirements.

Your virtual internship should stand out to students. The title should include key words like “remote" or “virtual." Clearly outline in the job description how this remote experience will be structured.

We offer two platforms for connecting with students:

• Handshake: UVM’s job/internship platform allows you to specify required skills and experience, work responsibilities, and the specific time frame of the project or virtual internship. UVM students access these postings and contact you directly, allowing you to interview and select the student(s) who are the best fit for your position.
• UVM Connect: An exclusive online community of UVM alums, students, staff and faculty, UVM Connect is the best way to tap into an engaged, supportive and growing global network. Our Career Interest Groups enable you to reach the right audience for your internship based on the express interests of group members.