As the deadline for summer internship applications is quickly approaching, I have noticed an increase in virtual or online internships over the past couple years.

The New York Times reported in 2013 that Internships.com listed over 8,000 virtual positions, which is a 20 percent increase from the prior year. Two years later, that number is still rising and more individuals seem to be taking advantage of this type of internship. However, are virtual internships actually worth it or is it better to hold a traditional, in-person position?

Pros

Living Arrangements/Commuting: If the internship is in a different state, it would be more cost-effective than moving for an entire summer or extended length of time. Even if it is local, interning online would save on gas and would allow one to work from anywhere that is convenient, according to USA Today College.

Flexibility: You are able to essentially set your own hours. There may be required conference calls, scheduled meetings or assignment deadlines, but overall, you are able to work whenever it is most convenient.

There are pros of virtual internships for employers as well. According to the internships website, there is value in having interns be virtual rather than in-person as employers are able to trust that their interns can get their tasks accomplished by saving the company time, office space and money.

Cons

No in-office experience: The point of having an internship is to gain real-world experience so that you are prepared for the post-graduation scene. For most positions, it is important to learn how to work and interact with others in professional setting.

Time: There is often more work because you have to commit to putting time aside and making sure everything gets finished accurately and on time, similar to taking online courses. In ways, virtual positions require interns to be more responsible and prepared.

Communication: It is important to be in constant communication in order to get the best out of the internship experience. While our world is more technology-focused than in years past, it can still be difficult to reach people over email, texts and phone calls throughout the day.

Depending on the supervisor, boss, co-workers or clients’ schedules, it may be overwhelming to get questions answered that are needed to complete certain tasks. Difficulty being able to contact others may foreshadow the ineffectiveness of the internship and would ultimately hinder social networking, which is essential for success in today’s professional world.

Verdict

With a remote internship, if all goes well, it will improve one’s self-discipline, time management and technological abilities. In this day and age, those are all great traits to have in any industry and helps prove that you are able to accomplish tasks on your own, without constant supervision. However, the cons outweigh the pros.

From learning and researching the different sides of a virtual internship, I came to the conclusion that I would much rather prefer a traditional internship, rather than online.

I enjoy seeing what the “real world” looks like and from my experience with previous internships, it is the best way to network and have people see what you can do.

The only reason I would decide to do a virtual internship is if it were the only option and provide job opportunities in the future.

So, whether you are looking for a summer internship or a simple way to gain experience, make sure you know if it is worth it or not for you and your future.