What are virtual internships?

“Virtual internships are internships that are done online or remotely. Students are placed with a company, and have a supervisor that they report to. They are in regular contact with the supervisor/team via virtual methods such as video call, phone call, email and instant messenger.” [Source: https://virtualinternships.com/faqs/] 

What are the benefits of a virtual internship?

1. Provides students a learning experience in a safe environment.
2. Students can develop technology-based skills, such as online communication and management.
3. It is an option for students who cannot afford relocation expenses for an internship.
4. “Virtual work experience attracts employees who take initiative, have aspirational career goals, and don’t need a lot of oversight. Moreover, online projects allow early-career talent to hone their communication skills and master time management. In fact, studies have shown that remote work can boost productivity by allowing team members to work more efficiently.” [Source: Nace Community Blog- Jeffrey Moss] 

How do I create a virtual internship?

The Center for Career Development has compiled many best practices for creating and maintaining virtual internships. Three of the main components include: 

1. A supervisor who will provide consistent guidance and feedback to the student.
2. Project-based, professional responsibilities that allow the student to learn about the industry or company, contribute to the organization’s goals, and help the student build professional skills.
3. Clear communication with the student, including regular phone or video check-ins.

College Recruiter has created a video series on how companies and organizations can adapt internships for remote/virtual work.

Please consult the policies below for the CCD’s requirements for virtual internships.

How do I post virtual internships?

For virtual internships, the CCD will follow the same posting policies as in-person internships. Purple Briefcase is the online platform the CCD utilizes in posting and promoting professional development opportunities. Visit the “Hiring A Wesleyan College Student” section below  for instructions about creating a FREE Purple Briefcase account and posting positions. [Note: In the job position title, please indicate that it is a “Virtual” internship.]

A company/organization wishing to host a virtual internship must follow the following policies:

1. They are a legitimate business with: a physical location, tax ID number, and contact information that is valid and updated.
2. A supervisor who communicates frequently and provides consistent feedback for the student is required for all virtual internships.
3. The internship must be a learning opportunity for the student. Because of this, there must be academic value in the projects they are assigned.
4. The business/organization must provide consistent supervision and feedback to the student.
5. The employer must provide any required technology at no cost to the student.
6. Compensation must be noted and made clear for the student. If the internship is unpaid, the student’s tasks may only include up to 20% administrative duties.

Internships, either virtual or in-person, should create and deliver a well-balanced experience for your intern that includes the opportunity for the intern to:

• Learn about your organization.
• Focus on professional development.
• Engage in meaningful projects and work that will help to develop their overall ability to become a valuable team member in the future.

Source: The Center for Research on College-Workforce Transitions, UW-Madison and University of Portland Career Center

To do this, make sure there is...

• Planning: Develop a work plan for the intern. This should include any on-boarding necessary to ensure the intern will be successful in the role.
• Training: Make sure to train the student to use the new software/systems and to understand company policies/practices.
• Learning: Define clear expectations and learning goals. These need to be agreed upon before the start of the internship. It is essential that all tasks and projects are carefully prepared and planned in order for the virtual intern to be able to manage the work effectively by themselves. Goals and expectations should be reinforced on a regular basis.

Mentoring: Feedback should be provided consistently at least once per week. This includes an update on expected work activities for the week, outcomes from prior work submissions, and other relevant announcements pertaining to the organization. 

There are several different platforms and resources for delivering a virtual internship experience:

• Face to Face Communication – GoToMeeting, Zoom, FaceTime, WebEx, Zoho Meetings, etc.
• Other communication tools – Slack, Email, Instant Messenger, etc.
• Free Project Management Tools – Asana, Trello, OpenProject, nTask, Monday, etc.
• Online file sharing – DropBox, Box, Google Drive, GoFile, etc.
   

Additional Links: 

3 Things You Must Have to Design a Great Remote Internship 
The Benefits of Remote Work for Students
ParkerDewey.com- Covid-19’s Impact on University Recruiting

Wesleyan College offers a wide range of majors, minors, and pre-professional concentrations. 

Employers are welcome to visit campus to recruit students, and are asked to coordinate visits with the Center for Career Development. The CCD is happy to work with you to schedule an on-campus information table or presentation. Please contact Mallory Neil, Assistant Director of Career Development, at mneil@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5209.

The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines internships as “a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent."

Does your organization want to create an internship, but is unsure of where to start? The following guidelines may be helpful in creating an internship:

• Create a job description, outline qualifications you want candidates to have, and set desired beginning and end dates. 
• Include internship duties that help the intern build skills and knowledge that they can transfer to future employment settings.

• Identify an internship supervisor who has experience in and professional knowledge of the field in which the intern is working.

• When identifying desired hours for the intern to work, schedule in time for the student to meet with the supervisor and receive regular feedback. 
• Identify 2-4 core skills and/or content knowledge areas that the intern will gain throughout the internship, focusing on creating connections between internship tasks and a specific academic field of study.
• Ensure the company can provide an environment in which the student can gain the desired skills/content knowledge areas (e.g. providing a work space, scheduling supervisor meetings, assigning meaningful tasks, etc.).

These guidelines are adapted from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). If you have questions or would like to discuss your specific internship needs, please contact Mallory Neil, Assistant Director of Career Development, at mneil@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5209.

Purple Briefcase is a career development platform which facilitates professional connections between Wesleyan students and organizations. In creating an account, you are able to post professional opportunities and promote them directly to students. 

Create a FREE account in six steps.

• Step 1: Visit the Purple Briefcase Log-In Page
• Step 2: Select the "New Employer" button.
• Step 3: Select the grey “Get Started” box underneath the FREE employer plan option.
• Step 4: On your account home page, select "My Schools." Scroll down to the section titled “Request a School Connection.” 
• Step 5: Select "Yes" for the question “Did the School Provide You with a School Code?”
• Step 6: Enter the code WCGA172

If you have questions about Purple Briefcase, please contact Mallory Neil, Assistant Director of Career Development, at mneil@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5209.

Once you have created a Purple Briefcase account you will be able to post jobs, internships, and other professional development opportunities.

Create a posting in six steps:

• Step 1: Create your FREE account!
• Step 2: Select the "Add a Job" tab.
• Step 3: Select "+add a job".
• Step 4: Complete the "Job Details" and "Job Application Criteria" sections. *Make sure to indicate if there is an expiration date and to indicate how students should apply to the position!
• Step 5: Complete the "Job School Info" and "Job Submission & Other Options" sections. *Choose Wesleyan College in the drop down menu under "Job Schools".
• Step 6: Choose "Submit" from the "Job Status" drop down menu and click "Save".

Are you unable to create a Purple Briefcase Account? Complete the Internship Posting Form and email the completed document to Mallory Neil, Assistant Director of Career Development, at mneil@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5209. She is happy to create the internship/job posting on your behalf.

Below you will find preparation suggestions to help facilitate a valuable internship experience.

• Identify the primary tasks and projects your intern will complete.
• Identify the primary supervisor/mentor for the intern.
• Create an internship description identifying requirements and responsibilities.
• Create an interview and hiring timeline.
• Post the opportunity on Purple Briefcase.
• Contact Wesleyan College's Center for Career Development to identify ways to promote the opportunity to students.

Below you will find helpful suggestions for actions to take during the internship experience.

• Provide an orientation to the department that discusses workplace expectations, office policies and procedures, and department goals.
• Discuss specific learning outcomes and internship projects with the student.
• Meet on a regular basis to discuss the student's professional goals and provide feedback on their performance.
• Complete a final performance evaluation of the student and discuss the evaluation with the student at the end of the internship.

Did you know that Wesleyan College hosts students from across the globe? International students are an integral part of Wesleyan's campus community. Employers often have questions about the requirements and logistics in hiring an international student for an internship. Here are some of the top F.A.Q.s to show how easy the process can be!

As an employer, what paperwork am I responsible for in order to hire an international student for an internship?

Answer: None! U.S. immigration regulations do influence internship applications for international students. As an employer, however, you will not be responsible for this process. Wesleyan College's Center for Career Development and the International Student Services Coordinator work together to process the necessary CPT paperwork. 

What is CPT?

CPT stands for Curricular Practical Training. This is the authorization form that the student, along with the college, completes and submits. It grants the student permission to intern in the U.S., as long as they are also registered for academic credit for an internship related to their field of study.

Will I have to pay for the CPT process?

No! There is no cost involved in this application process.

What will I need to provide?

To complete the CPT form, the student will need you to provide an official offer letter that contains the following information:

1. Company information, such as location and contact details
2. Student name and internship title
3. A specific start and end date
4. A description of their duties and responsibilities
5. The number of hours they will work per week
6. Their salary/pay rate

This letter will serve as proof of employment and will allow the paperwork process to proceed.

What is the timeline for this process?

It takes 1-2 weeks to complete the required forms and to process the paperwork. Please note that the student cannot begin work until the approval is given. We thank you for your patience during this stage of the process.

How many hours is the student allowed to work?

For visa purposes, a student's work hours must not exceed 20 hrs./week during the academic year (August-May). A student may work over 20 hrs./week in an internship during the summer term (May-August).

Please contact Mallory Neil, Assistant Director of Career Development at mneil@wesleyancollege.edu or (478) 757-5209, with any additional questions you may have about hiring one of our amazing international students.  

They enrich our campus with their diverse perspectives and broad experiences. We can't wait for you to see the value they bring to your organization!