Playbook: Remote Internships

How remote work is different

  • It's harder to build personal relationships with your co-workers. Try to setup 1on1 Zoom video calls to get to know the people in your team and company. Most people are very open to jumping on a Zoom call, especially since you're young and driven. If you send them some of your past work (articles, videos, project) they'll be even more excited to meet you. Make sure your email is authentic and you've done your research on the person so they feel special knowing why you want to talk to them specifically. Don't wait for people to setup meeting with you - be an activator.
    • You can even try starting off the meeting with an ice-breaker, like 2 truths 1 lie. Might work well with some people, but not all.
    • Great topics include: asking for advice, learning about their story/journey, asking them about their mantras/philosophy on life, and talking about their family and kids
  • Communication is scattered. Having an in-person conversation is an easy way to align people. But remotely, it can be more difficult. If you feel confused or lack guidance, make sure to proactively reach out and ask for guidance. Don't expect that everyone will be super organized, because it's hard to manage everyone remotely.
  • People can't tell if you're working hard. You want to show your co-workers that you are committed to adding value, learning, and putting in the work. Working hard is a signal that you care and appreciate the opportunity. Make sure you're communicating with everyone and updating them on what you're working on. Don't expect people to know what you're doing and how hard you're working.
    • If your company uses Slack (or something similar), great. Make sure to communicate your progress through daily updates with your manager. It can be as short as a couple bullet points (don't write a huge essay lol). You can also do weekly updates with the broader team so they have visibility into what you're doing. Don't be afraid to post a weekly updated. People will like this because it will show that you're taking initiative and you're hard working. In your communication, you can also make sure you're aligned with what they need from you, while also demonstrating the ability to work on larger projects.
    • If your company doesn't use Slack (or something similar), I'd make a short standalone deck showing them why having Slack is valuable to internal communication. Then talk to a manager about how teams communicate internally and if this tool could help improve productivity. In the meantime, send email updates to your manager and weekly updates to your team.
  • You won't have the experience of going into the office. You won't feel the culture of the organization. So, you'll need to talk to others about the corporate culture and understand it. This is probably the biggest downside of being remote - not being fully immersed in the experience. There's no solution to this. You just have to accepted it and try to make the most out of the experience. Focus on building relationships with the people and constantly show progress.
  • You're likely working solo. There might be less collaborative work and you might feel alone. That's ok, use it as an opportunity to grow your abilities to work independently. Don't rely on others to keep you accountable, do it yourself.
  • You won't be going into an office, so your day is likely more flexible. Use this flexibility to create your ideal days. Get work done, be productive, and also make sure to exercise and enjoy your day. You can go for a walk, do a workout, and make a healthy meal. But plan out your day so you can hit your important goals. Do not procrastinate. Do not wake up late. Plan out your day so you can maximize it.