When the pandemic hit, virtual internships saved the day, allowing about 40% of long-planned internships to go forward. And because they appeared to have been at least somewhat successful, a number of employers have stuck with them—or are wondering if they should.
The short answer is: it depends. It depends on your company and its goals for its internship program. It depends on your culture and the role you want your interns to play.
Because while virtual internships do offer some value, they don’t deliver the same experience or results as in-person internships do. Just ask the interns themselves!
In a University of Wisconsin-Madison survey of nearly 10,000 interns—half virtual, half in-person—those who conducted their internships online reported lower satisfaction, less career-development value, and fewer networking opportunities than their in-person counterparts.
And in a separate Glassdoor survey, 70% of interns report having a negative association with remote work altogether.
So, while some employers believe that online internships are worthwhile (not to mention simpler and less expensive than in-person alternatives), many interns don’t share that belief—and are therefore less likely to pursue them.
But what exactly is the downside? Let’s examine the advantages that in-person internships provide—and see how virtual internships measure up.
One key advantage of internship programs is that they serve as a talent pipeline for employers, helping them identify and cultivate future stars. In fact, employers say that, when it comes to recruiting entry-level employees, their internship program is the strategy with the best ROI.
In addition, internship programs offer:
Similarly, internships offer many compelling benefits to students. A full 70% of interns are offered positions at the companies where they interned. In addition, new grads who interned are 35% more likely to receive an offer than those who did not.
In addition, internships offer students: