While the majority of us would like to experience a new job or internship in person, there are some advantages to virtual internships and jobs.

Most people strongly dislike traffic or a long commute – think I5 (Seattle) at 8 a.m., complete gridlock. But with a virtual experience, you may spend this extra hour, catching up on sleep, eating a relaxing breakfast, or catching up on the news. This extra time could potentially better your overall health by having habitual recommended sleep hours, potentially healthier breakfast, having the ability to cook at home and avoid fast food, and potentially connecting with our society. That being said, some people struggle to create a schedule when working from home, so to avoid these problems, try waking up at a regular time every day, and creating your own routine in the morning.   

Additionally, an opportunity like a job or internship in a different country may be possible with a virtual position. Whether you are living in the U.S. but working for a company outside of the country or living in your home country and working in the U.S., this flexibility may not have been available if the position was in-person. This could give you the opportunity to spend more time with family, friends and loved ones and live in an area you enjoy, rather than an area just because your position is there. In addition, you could potentially save on any additional rent costs that you normally would have if moving to an area like San Francisco or Seattle.   

With a virtual position, you may also have flexible hours. At this time, a lot of companies are trying to be as flexible as possible with their employees, as they know this has been a difficult time for everyone. If you are an early riser, this may mean a 7 a.m. start time, or if you are a night owl, perhaps a 10 a.m. start time. If start times are an important aspect in a position to you, be sure to ask your interviewer what their start times usually look like for virtual employees. That way, you can plan ahead and know what to expect from the company when you begin.   

Finally, virtual positions show your ability to adapt, handle change and be responsible. When working from home, your boss isn’t coming to your desk every day to check in and see how you are doing. Instead, this responsibility may be placed on you to ensure you are meeting your deadlines. To help guarantee that you are meeting your deadlines, use a planner or calendar app to verify you are making progress. There is no secret that virtual opportunities may come with challenges that you wouldn’t normally experience in an in-person environment. If you can be successful working from home, communicating with your colleagues, and making your deadlines, you can show your company that you are adaptable and responsible.  

Virtual opportunities are not the end of the world, and yes you will still gain valuable experience and improve your knowledge with each position. If you have any questions regarding what to expect with a virtual experience, please reach out to the Voiland College Internships & Career Services Office, vcea.internships@wsu.edu or join us for drop-in express career coaching on zoom, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (https://bit.ly/2Fb9eYB), we would be happy to assist you.