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- Virtual Internship Experience
Program Overview
Students who participate in a Virtual Internship Experience (VIE) take advantage of
technology to build professional skills and explore careers. Unlike traditional internships,
a VIE takes place almost entirely online.
Interns contribute to projects while working remotely. From campus, they complete
the majority of their work and interact with co-workers, clients, and supervisors.
By removing location, transportation, and scheduling as barriers to internships, students
have access to greater learning opportunities.
The Career Development office coordinates virtual internships in a variety of fields.
Some are already offered by organizations. Others are initiated by students. Career
Development further supports and encourages student interns through educational programming
and space designed to enhance the virtual internship. CD also serves as a liaison
for partner organizations, helping match opportunities with strong candidates. Internships
opportunities may include positions in:
- Public Relations/Marketing
- Consulting
- Start-Ups
- Public Health
- Not-for-Profit/NGO
- Arts Administration
- Legal Advocacy
Features & Benefits
The Virtual Internship program offers a combination of internship experience, peer
connections with other VIE interns, and professional career development support.
Typical internships feature:
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Semester-Long Project Based Internship
For 5 to 20 hours per week, you can make real contributions to an organization and
build skills. Internships may be paid or unpaid depending on the organization and
may be for-credit depending on your academic plans.
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Professional Training Support
Career Development offers “Passport to Professionalism” resources and training to
build your competencies in communications, goal setting, navigating a virtual work
environment, and more.
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Priority Access to Software
Interns have access to computers loaded with software packages like Adobe Creative
Cloud and more.
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Career Development Workshops
Career counseling professionals and guest speakers address topics such as resumes,
interviewing, communication, networking, entrepreneurship, and more.
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On-Demand Work Troubleshooting
Students can draw on staff or alumni expertise to help maximize internship outcomes
and solve problems throughout the internship.
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Internship Debrief Personal Session
In a guided discussion, students reflect on the internship, goal attainment analysis,
and their personal and professional development.
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Celebration of Student Achievement
An end-of-year presentation marks the conclusion of intern experiences.
By completing a Virtual Internship Experience, students gain:
- Professional skills in communication, project management, and organization
- Capabilities for initiative, problem-solving, and self-directed work
- Network contacts for future career development
- Familiarity with workplace technology for completing projects and communicating
- Industry and field knowledge related to their organizations and projects