Virtual Internship in South Africa

Program Overview

Our Virtual Internship in South Africa program is perfect for students who want to gain professional experience in their chosen field, work with an intercultural team at an international company, connect with South African culture and who are looking for a lower cost (and environmentally friendly!) program option. With the use of modern technology, virtual internships allow students and graduates to gain practical skills, industry connections and business experience without leaving home.

Through this internship, you will develop professional experience and build your resume while working remotely on projects and tasks that add value to your company or organisation. This experience will be primarily project-based, with either one larger project over the course of the internship or several smaller ongoing assignments. Regardless of how many you undertake, each project will be substantive and you can be sure you are contributing to the business in a meaningful way. While this program allows for flexibility and independence, you will also have plenty of guidance and support from a designated supervisor.

We are committed to finding each virtual intern a custom, professional placement that matches your career ambitions to help you build your resume and achieve your professional and academic goals.

View the Virtual Internship Guidelines

Highlights

Here are some highlights and benefits of this program:

• Build your resume with experience at an international company.
• Develop your skills working with a cross-cultural team from South Africa and around the world while learning ways to do business in a different cultural setting.
• Gain professional, practical experience in a project-based placement in your chosen field to meet your academic and professional goals. Our internship placements are customised, diverse and cater for a range of interests.
• Enjoy flexibility with your working hours to suit your schedule.
• Have independence and autonomy balanced with ongoing support from a dedicated supervisor.
• Enhance and develop your communication skills, as well as time management, problem solving, creative and digital skills.
• Complete your virtual placement from any location in the world, allowing for flexible hours and a lower cost option by saving on flights, visa fees, insurance and accommodation.

Sample Itinerary

The specific schedule for each intern and placement will vary. Below is an example of what to expect:

• Day 1 (Monday): Placement begins. Meet with staff and supervisor to set out expectations and tasks for your project(s).
• Ongoing: Work will primarily be done independently with ongoing support and check-in meetings with your supervisor. Virtual interns may be included in company and staff meetings (where applicable) to observe, listen and learn. Interns should expect to work from 20-35 hours per week depending on the company, the project(s) and what has been mutually agreed in writing prior to your placement between the student and company supervisor. Ultimately, the placement will be project-focused so “clocking in/out” is less important than with a traditional internship.
• Upon completion: Exit interview and evaluation.

Placements

Virtual internship placements are professional, well organised and students accepted in the program should be highly focused and ready to act in an equally professional business manner. Each intern will have a direct company supervisor who will be middle management or higher and act as a coach and mentor. They will provide ongoing feedback, direction, insight into the company and their role, and support the overall virtual experience.

Customised internship placements are available in the following fields*:

Business

• Accounting
• Finance & Venture Capital
• Marketing
• Start-ups

Education

Human Rights

• Law
• Refugee Rights
• Social Justice

Environmental Conservation

Film Industry

• Scriptwriting

Journalism & Communications

Marketing

• Advertising
• Social Media
• Web marketing, development and strategy

Social Work

*Please note: Due to changing business conditions and needs of local businesses, we cannot guarantee that all these virtual internship placements will be available. If there is interest outside of these areas, please contact us and our Program Advisors will help you find an internship that meets your needs. Our custom placements are designed to fulfil your professional and academic goals and our team works hard to match you with your preferred customised internship placement.

Virtual internships are project-based. While each internship is unique, here are some examples of tasks that may apply:

• Business Development – Help the company to make decisions based on data, research and analysis. Develop methods to increase the value of current customers while attracting new ones.
• Research Projects – Carry out research projects within the industry of the company, identifying key players and searching for new sales opportunities.
• Operations – Understand the daily tasks of a company and focus on improving the processes in place to maximise efficiency.
• Administration – Create spreadsheets, prepare presentations, arrange meetings and manage databases.
• Content Creation – Improve your communication skills while updating websites, blogging, writing articles, or working on visual content through photography, photo editing, videography, graphic design, etc.
• Social Media – Create Social Media calendars, edit and post content on different platforms, engage the community and find new leads and influencers.
• Finance – Research on funds and investors, creation of financial plans and practices for startups
• Competitor Analysis – Research competitors from the industry or in other regions to determine if your company is performing at the level of the competition, staying on the cutting edge of new product development, and determine the competition’s capabilities and positioning.

Job Board

Check out some of the current position openings on the Virtual Internship Job Board.

If you don’t see a position that matches your interests and goals, submit an enquiry and our highly qualified Program Advisors will help customise an internship for you that meets your professional and personal ambitions.

Location

This is the best of both worlds! While you aren’t physically going to South Africa, this program allows you to get a career-based experience in your chosen field to boost your professional development, plus get introduced to the culture from the comfort of your home.

Most companies that host a virtual intern on this program are based in Cape Town. Cape Town was originally developed by the Dutch East India Company as a supply station for Dutch ships sailing to East Africa, India and the Far East. Jan van Riebeeck‘s arrival in 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in South Africa. Cape Town is now a cosmopolitan city and one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa.

Program Fee & Dates