Virtual Internships as Employer-Led Initiatives: Success Criteria and Reflections on the Diversification of Internships

Many employers have trialed virtual internships over the past two years. Employer-led virtual internships (e-internships) have a long history that predates the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous research has already demonstrated the importance of how employers design their internships, and how they subsequently support, train and mentor interns for internship success. Fifty-one virtual interns completed a survey in 2020 about their virtual internships experience with employers in various countries. The survey examined predictors of internship satisfaction and usefulness. Multiple regression showed that information accuracy, perceived support (e.g., resources, access to help) and usefulness (in terms of knowledge advancement and consolidation) all significantly and positively predicted internship satisfaction. Social influence and perceived support also increased the ratings of perceived usefulness among virtual interns. The relationship between perceived support given by employers and internship satisfaction was partially mediated by perceived usefulness of the internship. This highlights the importance of employer-led provisions and the extent to the design of internships influence virtual interns’ subsequent evaluations. The study concludes with a discussion of practical implications and reflections on the need to differentiate and study the various virtual internship types that have appeared to analyze which one will add value and which types might be less beneficial or even exploitative of talent wishing to gain more experience via virtual internships.