Just landed a remote internship and not sure how you should prepare for it? Or maybe you’re still thinking about applying and wondering what kind of preparation it might take. Either way, we’ve got you covered! We know that preparing for a remote internship may feel a bit uncertain at first, especially if it’s your first time working remotely. That’s why we’ve created this guide full of practical tips for virtual internships! Keep reading for our tried-and-true advice on how to prepare for a remote internship and make the most of your experience.
What is a Remote or Virtual Internship — and Is It Worth It?
A remote or virtual internship allows you to gain professional experience from anywhere in the world. Remote internships leverage the power of digital tools to collaborate with your team to complete meaningful projects and tasks in the professional field of your choice. They offer interns the flexibility to access global opportunities from the comfort of their homes and a more affordable way to work with international organizations. Best of all, despite being remote, virtual internships are a great way to learn new skills or hone existing skills in a hands-on way.
So, are remote internships worth it? Absolutely – especially if you’re intentional about how you approach the experience. With the right preparation and mindset, remote internships can be just as impactful as an in-person one. By the end of a remote internship, you’ll have worked on real-world projects like a professional in the field, picked up new technical skills, sharpened soft skills like time management and communication, and expanded your global network—boosting both your experience and your resume!
But don’t take our word for it – read what past interns have had to say about our remote internships and explore our remote internships for yourself.
Why Preparing for a Remote Internship Matters
Preparing well for your remote internship sets the tone for a rewarding experience. Unlike in-person internships where it’s easier to be seen and build connections organically, remote internships require you to be more intentional in the way you ‘show up’. Without the physical presence of colleagues and supervisors, you’ll need to take more initiative when it comes to communicating, finding a structure that works for you, and keeping yourself engaged. By setting yourself up with the right tools, habits, and mindset, you can stand out, feel more connected, and make your internship a valuable stepping stone in your career journey.
Keep reading for our best tips on how to prepare for a remote internship!
How to Prepare for a Remote Internship: 6 Tips for Success
Virtual internships come with their own unique set of opportunities and challenges. Follow these six tips that aim to help you stay focused, connected, and prepared from day one so that you can make the most of your remote internship.
1. Create a Dedicated Workspace
For some people, the best thing about a remote internship is being able to work from anywhere – especially from the comfort of your home. In an online internship, you won’t have an office to go to everyday but it’s still a great practice to allocate a work space for yourself. No matter how small it may be, a dedicated and consistent workspace free from distractions can help get you into work mode each day. This can be a cozy corner of your room, a clear space on your kitchen island, a table at your favorite cafe, or whatever’s most comfortable for you to concentrate and get into your mental work zone. Try out a couple spaces before your internship starts and see what works best for you.
2. Get Comfortable with the Tools You’ll Be Using
Every organization has their library of digital tools and resources that they use to communicate, collaborate, and get work done. Popular ones include Microsoft 365, Google Suite, and Slack.
Most tools are pretty intuitive to use for digitally inclined individuals, but if you want to be certain about how you’ll be connecting and working with your team from day one, it’s a good idea to ask in advance about the tools your host organization uses and familiarize yourself with them beforehand. YouTube tutorials are a great way to get acquainted with these platforms and apps, and some organizations may even provide you with their own curated tutorials during the onboarding process. If you’re getting into a more technical role in your remote internship, you definitely won’t want to skip this step!
3. Clarify Responsibilities, Deadlines, and Communication Norms
Your host organization will have an orientation or onboarding period during which you may get the chance to meet the team, ask questions about general ways of working, and find out about projects you’ll be working on.
An important thing to do in this stage is proactively clarify what is expected of you as a remote intern. How many hours are you expected to dedicate to your tasks weekly and is there a time sheet you should fill out? Who do you report to? Are there weekly or monthly meetings you’re expected to attend? Which communications should happen via email versus a WhatsApp or Slack chat? Asking these questions early on can help you avoid confusion down the line and start your internship feeling clear, confident, and ready to dive in.
4. Set Personal Goals and Track Your Progress
Equally as important as knowing what’s expected of you during your remote internship is knowing what you want to get out of the experience. Think about what you want to have achieved by the end of your internship – whether it’s mastering a new skill, building your portfolio, growing your network, or gaining clarity on a career path. Make a note of those goals and be sure to share them with your supervisor so that your internship could be tailored accordingly.
Don’t forget to keep track of your progress to help keep you motivated. Noting weekly achievements, no matter how small, can also make it easier to update your resume by the end of your internship experience. You may even be surprised at how much you’ve achieved!
5. Carve Out a Routine that Keeps You Productive
Another great thing about some remote internships is the flexibility to work hours that best suit you. To give yourself structure long-term, it’s a great practice to set consistent times to work each day with built-in breaks that align with your energy levels. Embrace the flexibility, but balance it with discipline to stay productive and meet your deadlines.
6. Protect Your Mental Health with Boundaries and Breaks
When working virtually, it’s easy for the boundaries between your work and personal time to become blurred. That’s why it’s important to be intentional about setting work hours, taking regular breaks, and logging off at the end of your work hours. Try muting notifications from work apps at the end of your work day and doing something that brings you joy – whether that’s staying in and watching Netflix, having dinner with your friends, or simply taking a walk outside to get some fresh air.
Bonus Tips for Making the Most of Your Remote Internship
Now that you’re clear on the basics, let’s go a little deeper with a couple bonus tips for virtual internship success that will help you stand out and build stronger relationships with your team!
Communicate Proactively & Ask for Feedback
Use those communication tools we mentioned earlier to keep your supervisor updated on your progress, ask questions, and request feedback or help whenever needed. Proactive and consistent communication can help you stay aligned and feel supported throughout your virtual internship experience.
Stay Visible with Regular Check-Ins & Active Participation
Want to stand out in your remote internship? It’s easy to feel isolated and unseen when you’re not working in-person with your team but establishing a regular cadence of check-ins with your supervisor and being present for team meetings can help you feel more connected and visible. Try to actively participate in those virtual meetings – share updates on your progress and contribute ideas. Staying visible builds relationships and shows your team that you’re engaged and dependable!
Finding a Remote Internship
Looking for a remote internship to match your personal and professional goals? Well you’re in the right place! At Roots, we take pride in finding you internships that best align with your interests and goals. We work to connect interns with organizations that are looking for team members who want to build their professional experience by doing meaningful work in the real world. Whether you want to explore a new field or work with an international team, we’re here to help you find the ideal remote internship.
Check out our detailed resources and programs to find the best remote internship for you:
- Learn about how our internship matching process works
- Get university credits for your Roots internship!
- Explore our complete list of remote internships
Our Most Popular Remote Internships
Whether you’re passionate about a specific field or simply keen to gain experience working with nonprofits, Roots has a variety of remote internship programs to explore. Our remote internships offer you the chance to build valuable skills in your chosen field while making a meaningful impact. To help you get started on selecting a remote internship, we’ve highlighted some of our most popular remote programs:
Remote International Program Launch Internship
Join a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black girls through mentorship, education, and advocacy. As a Remote International Program Launch Intern, you’ll support the expansion of mentorship programs by conducting research, assisting in outreach, and helping develop strategic expansion and launch plans.
This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in nonprofit program development, global outreach, and community engagement. You’ll work closely with a remote team to identify local needs, build partnerships, and create resources that support program success. Ideal for students passionate about community development, this internship also offers valuable training in research, strategy, and communication.
Remote Public Health Internship
Make a real impact at the intersection of public health and sustainable development with this Remote Public Health Internship. As a Remote Public Health Intern, you’ll join an NGO working across Africa to tackle pressing issues like malaria prevention, health education, and youth empowerment. Interns contribute through research, content creation, and program support, gaining hands-on experience in public health communication, outreach coordination, and educational material design. You’ll help develop community-driven health campaigns, support social media strategy, and track project outcomes through data and reporting.
This internship provides the opportunity to build meaningful skills while advancing grassroots health initiatives. Ideal for students with a passion for health, communication, and making a tangible difference in underserved communities.
Remote SEO Internship
Join the Roots digital marketing team as an SEO intern and gain hands-on experience in content optimization, keyword research, and digital strategy. You’ll work directly with our in-house SEO specialist, supporting real-time projects that drive traffic and strengthen our online presence.
This internship is perfect for students eager to learn about how search engines work while building their content writing and digital marketing skills. Interns contribute to blog writing, SEO audits, metric tracking, and the development of keyword-informed content strategies. Whether you join us remotely or in person at Cape Town, you’ll be part of a passionate team committed to meaningful work and professional growth. It’s a great opportunity to strengthen your portfolio while contributing to our mission-driven business dedicated to enriching interns with valuable skills through purposeful work .
Remote Youth Development Internship
Join a creative and impactful nonprofit in Cape Town that uses dance and life skills education to empower children from under-resourced communities. As an intern with Move for Two, you’ll help design a curriculum that blends dance with important topics like sex education, personal hygiene, health, nutrition, and youth empowerment. You’ll also conduct research to understand community needs and will have the opportunity to facilitate engaging workshops, either remotely or in person.
This internship offers a unique mix of public health, education, and social development, ideal for students passionate about youth empowerment and community-based work.
With Roots, You’ve Got This!
Now that you’ve explored our top tips for a successful remote internship, we hope you feel more confident and ready to hit the ground running. A remote internship may be different from an in-person one, but with the right preparation, it can be just as impactful on your professional & personal growth. Remember to stay proactive, communicate clearly, and set clear boundaries for your mental health.
If you’re still exploring your options, we invite you to explore our current remote internship opportunities. We work closely with nonprofits globally to create meaningful, skill-enriching experiences that you can do from anywhere. If you have questions or need help getting started, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Roots team – we’re here to support you every step of the way.
