You did the work, you participated in the interviews, you got the offer, and accepted! Then, you got the letter. Not the one with all the details of when and where to go for day one, and who you would be meeting with, but the letter saying that while your internship was intact, it is now going to be remote. How do you get ready for a remote internship? How do you make a positive impression? Here are three ways to get off to a great start.
1. Communication. Your virtual experience should not include any riddles where you are trying to figure out what materials you need. If you are unsure or don’t know – ASK. Set up a time to talk to HR or your manager to clear any doubts you might have about work hours, dress code, trainings, and expectations they may have of you before day one. Talk to your manager about how they prefer to communicate and receive updates or questions. Weekly or daily meetings via Zoom or a phone call? Emails? A quick IM? Knowing how to reach your manager and co-workers will help build a strong connection early on in the internship. After your first month, set up a meeting with your manager to see if you are meeting expectations. Listen and make adjustments if necessary.
2. USE your calendar. Most likely, your teammates will have access to your work calendar. Working remotely doesn’t allow someone to pop-in to your office with a quick question, but a pop up Zoom meeting can still occur, not to mention all of the incoming emails. Keeping your calendar up to date will help others know where you are, even when you’re not immediately reachable. Once set, share you work hours with your co-workers. Working remotely doesn’t mean you have to be accessible 24 hrs/day. You should include a lunch and even breaks in your day. There may be trainings you need to attend, project work, and networking with other colleagues should be encouraged. Being transparent, even if it means you have a large block of time that says project work, can remove doubt about what you are doing throughout the day.
3. Networking. Being intentional in this area can yield some big rewards. But how are you supposed to network when you aren’t on-site? Get creative! Here are 5 ways to build connections:
Zoom meetings. When you’re in a Zoom – STAY ENGAGED and pay attention to who is in the room. People will have their name attached to their photo. Make a list, and AFTER the meeting, find them on LinkedIn to connect. Bonus points if you include a note in the invite: I noticed we were in the same meeting this afternoon and as an intern at XYZ I would welcome the opportunity to connect! (Points LOST if you send this request DURING the meeting, as it clearly shows you are not engaged in the actual meeting.)
Virtual Coffee Chats. Send your co-workers or LinkedIn contacts an invitation for a 20-minute virtual coffee chat. When you send the invitation, you bring the agenda. Have a few questions prepared that you would like to ask them, maybe it’s about the work they are doing on a project, or to learn more about their story and what they enjoy most about their job. Make sure you follow up with a simple thank you saying you appreciate the time they shared with you.
Screen share/work shadow sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more. You may not be able to shadow someone in their office, but if there is a software you’re trying to learn and you have questions, this is one way to feel like you’re in the room together.
Company affinity groups. Do some research, find out if they exist, and ask how they are staying in touch during this time. Most likely it will be virtually, but as restrictions begin to lighten, there may be additional opportunities to connect.
Connect with other interns. This not only gives you an opportunity to connect with others but also learn about other projects taking place and teams within the company.
Want to talk about other ways to make a positive impression before, during, and after your internship? Engineering Career Services is open! You can create an appointment on Handshake to meet virtually with an ECS advisor and create an individualized plan of how to make the most of your summer experience.