Virtual International Internships

In ensuring that students are still given access to global work experiences that can lead to increased global connections, future international work opportunities, and cross-cultural understanding, we do run into the logistical concern of working across the world and timezones. To help support online work across the globe CRCC Asia actively:

1. Prepares online interns in understanding not only best practices for online work but also managing different time zones. This support is given through our Online International Internship Toolkit, CareerBridge, and directly from our Admission Advisors and Career Coach.
2. Creates supervisor requirements that ensure each student has a daily check-in through email and at least a bi-weekly virtual meeting or call.
3. Delivers support including Career Coaching Calls and Weekly Group Discussions during local standard working hours as much as possible.
4. Manages expectations upfront, letting students know that this will not be a traditional 9-5 with some work being done in the early morning or evening. Below we have provided a guide for best work experience opportunities.

If creating an online international internship program for a set number of students for your university, you may find it advantageous to select one country to ensure all students are working at the same time and within the same cultural complexities. Conversely, a lot of students seek global work experiences in order to start building the bridge to full-time global work, and allowing them to choose the country best aligned to their future career management will open up your participant recruitment efforts and could increase program outcomes for individuals.

Ensuring that all our host companies and supervisors receive the best support and guidance is crucial when creating an internship culture where one may not have existed before. Much like with our in-person international internships, CRCC Asia puts a strong emphasis on identifying English speaking supervisors who have created a project-based placement, allowing all students to be engaged in their day-to-day work. 

To adapt to the switch from in-person to online internships, all supervisors are given our our Online Internship Supervisor Prep Webinar and Supervisor Toolkit, which provides an overview of the best practices students are taught and walks each supervisor through:

1. Communication Best Practices
2. Creating a Project Plan online
3. Nuances of working with International Interns

Furthermore all supervisors are directly supported by a full-time Business Development Manager, who can assist with any issues, similar to how students have access to a Career Coach. 

All supervisors are required to check-in with their interns by email at least once daily, as well as through a bi-weekly call or virtual meeting.

An important first step in beginning any new role or internship is to master the platforms and softwares that the company uses to complete tasks and communicate. This may include learning a different CRM system, or switching from Slack to another internal chat platform. For a global internship, it may require shifting all platforms to align with what the company uses, as well as what’s consistent with the country’s standards.

CRCC Asia has included in our support documents best practices for supervisors and students to connect and work together, even from across the world, which includes adapting to key platforms such as WeChat. All companies hiring international interns have confirmed their ability to work internationally and communicate outside of their countries.