How to Make the Most of your Remote Internship

By: Emily Douglas

Photo courtesy of cottonbro studio on Pexels

Remote internships can be just as valuable as working in a physical office, but remote environments require you to be more intentional about staying engaged. Without the everyday conversations and interactions that would generally happen in an on-site office, it can be easy to simply do your work and move on to the next task. When you are not physically around your team, you have to make extra effort to show you are involved and willing to contribute. Here are a few things you can do to avoid isolating yourself and make the most of your remote internship:

Ask Questions

Especially in the beginning of your internship, there are so many questions and uncertainties because everything is new. It is important to know that you’re not expected to know everything going into an internship. When working remotely, it can be tempting to work everything out on your own, but your coworkers and superiors are there for a reason. Since you are not physically around your managers all the time, they may only be seeing the work you are completing. Asking questions keeps you on their radar and shows that you’re engaged, thinking about your work and genuinely curious to learn more.

Take Initiative

You should not have to wait to be asked to do a task. If you see something that sparks an idea, say something and do not wait for someone to tell you what to do next. Your manager cannot see you sitting at your computer waiting for something to do. If you have extra time, let someone know and chances are, your manager has another task for you. Even something as simple as sending a message in your team’s main Slack channel saying that you have some availability can open the door to another task or opportunity. Taking initiative shows that you’re not just waiting for the next assignment, but actively looking for ways to contribute to the team. 

Build Relationships

Just because the internship is remote does not mean that you have to feel disconnected from your team. Make an effort to get to know the people you work with, even if it is just through a simple introductory Slack message or connecting with them on LinkedIn. Do not limit yourself to connecting with just your manager. Getting to know your coworkers as well can help make you feel like a true part of the team, and may even lead to more connections you wouldn’t have made otherwise.

Know Your Strengths

It is important to take some time to ask yourself what you bring to the table. This can be something you discover about yourself during your internship. For example, maybe you find that you enjoy creating social media content more than you expected, or that you’re good at communicating with clients and keeping projects organized. Your internship is your opportunity to figure out what you are really interested in and where you can contribute. Pay attention to the work that comes more naturally to you.

At the end of the day, your internship is what you make of it. If you wait to be told what to do, and only complete the tasks assigned to you, that is all your internship is going to be. Your managers know when you are making an effort to be involved and learn, but they also know when you are not making the most of your opportunity. A remote internship may look different than an on-site one, but your outcomes do not have to be.