Research paints disappointing picture of online internships
When the pandemic hit, First Workings made the difficult decision to shift from in-person internships to one-on-one virtual mentorships instead. “Our main priority was providing opportunities for students to build social capital, while mitigating the disengagement seen in a virtual environment,” Davis said. The mentorship program included frequent meetings between students and First Meetings staff, mental health check-ins and a stipend to help mitigate the lack of in-person work opportunities available, he said. “Creating an environment that encourages mentorship is a vital step to ensu...