- About Archives
- About SAA
- Careers
- Education
- Publications
- Advocacy
- Membership
Patricia C Franks, PhD, CRM, San Jose State University
Advances in technology, including high-speed Internet connections and low-cost portable devices, have made the virtual workplace a reality. A 2011 study, Telework Canada: The bottom line on telework, revealed the following benefits of telework (remote or virtual work): an increase in employee productivity, an increase in employee satisfaction, and a reduction in employer costs (Lister and Hamish).
Institutions of higher education are beginning to recognize the value of virtual internships as valid experiential learning opportunities to acquire professional skills and competencies. Columbia University’s Virtual Internship Program Website provides compelling rationale:
Currently, over 8 million people work virtually across the United States and, increasingly, companies and organizations are exploring the virtual workplace.
Research indicates that field experiences, including internships positions, are an important component of a professional graduate program that builds beneficial connections between students and potential future employers.
There is a growing demand by students in many disciplines to participate in relevant field experiences that allow them to apply what they are learning while building connections with potential future employers and boosting the experience they can feature on their résumé.
Students want to find internship opportunities in settings that interest them and match their career aspirations, yet students often find it challenging to locate a relevant internship nearby that fits around their school, work, and family responsibilities. Sometimes the best internship opportunity for a student may be across the country, making it nearly impossible for a student to participate in a rewarding supervised field learning experience.
But traditional internships tend to be placed-based, especially in archival programs. To participate, students need to be located near an approved internship site or work with the internship coordinator to locate an acceptable internship site near their home. This arrangement presents students who live in rural areas with several unsatisfactory options: to move temporarily near an approved internship site, to travel long distances to and from the internship site, to expend a great deal of time and energy locating an acceptable internship near their homes, or to forgo participating in an internship experience altogether.
Virtual internships offer one solution to students who want to complete a relevant field experience aimed at helping them prepare to achieve their career goals.
The benefits of virtual internships to students are many. Have you wondered what the benefits are for the site supervisor?
Most virtual internship site supervisors participate in the internship program in order to positively impact the education of future professionals. However, employers also benefit from this mutual exchange of “on the job” training in exchange for the services of well-trained, highly motivated interns in a variety of ways. Specifically, employers engaging SLIS virtual interns benefit by:
The School of Library and Information Science (SLIS) at San Jose State University offers two degree programs: 1) the Master of Archives and Records Administration (MARA) degree and 2) the Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS). Students in the MLIS degree can follow a career pathway that prepares them to work in archives and records management positions.
SLIS has a robust internship program for students pursuing both the MLIS and MARA degrees that provides place-based and virtual internship opportunities to students. Learn more about the SLIS internship program at http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/classes/294/index.htm
Virtual internship sites are being identified now for fall 2012 and spring 2013. If you are interested in offering a virtual internship opportunity, read the information posted to this page http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/interns/virtual/index.htm
If you would like to discuss either place-based or virtual internship positions within your organization, contact Dr. Patricia C. Franks at patricia.franks@sju.edu
Revised by the author September 30, 2012
<< Previous: News Brief: Motorola Solutions Heritage Archives | Spring/Summer 2012 |
This is a great reminder of how much professional growth now happens outside a traditional office. One thing I learned early in my own career is that clear written communication — especially email — matters just as much as technical skill when working remotely. This professional email writing guide has been genuinely useful for me.
Virtual internships are a valuable way for graduate students to build professional experience without relocating, and this article makes a strong case for them. For students comparing internship or entry-level offers, it also helps to understand how gross annual salary (RAL) translates into actual take-home pay, since taxes and contributions vary widely. Using a tool like calcolo ral da stipendio netto can make those comparisons clearer before accepting an offer. Thanks for highlighting how remote placements expand access to mentors and real-world practice.
Virtual internships are a great way for graduate students to gain practical experience and connect with industry professionals without being limited by geography. They make it easier to build valuable networks, develop relevant skills, and explore career opportunities in different fields. Similar to how online platforms bring people together globally, resources such as https://casinohex.mx/casinos-online/casinos-en-vivo/ demonstrate how digital environments can connect users with interactive experiences from anywhere. Overall, virtual internships help create more equal access to professional growth and career development.
Keeping records organized and making information easy to understand can be useful in many professional settings. The same applies when reviewing compensation details, where the difference between gross and take-home pay can sometimes be overlooked. Having a clear overview of deductions and contributions makes it easier to understand the actual amount received each month. For this reason, calcolo lordo netto can be a useful starting point when reviewing salary figures.