How Internships at University Prepared These 3 Professionals for Career Success

In a recent Virtual Internships webinar session, Equipping Your Students for the Future of Work, we had the privilege of hearing from a panel of three esteemed Virtual Internships alumni. They shared valuable insights and perspectives on employability, higher education, remote work, and how their past experiences as remote interns helped to create their current career outcomes.

 

Alumni panelists Misaki Yamamichi, Joshua McLaughlin, Jack Crawford, and VI Co-founder and President, Ed Holroyd Pearce, discuss the impact of Virtual Internships on their careers.

The conversation, led by Virtual Internships President and Co-founder, Ed Holroyd Pearce, included the perspectives of VI alumni Joshua McLaughlin, an in-house digital and social media expert at TheTalentPeople / GetMyFirstJob, Jack Crawford, a current Economic Affairs Intern at the United Nations, and Misaki Mitchell (Yamamichi), a Partnerships Account Manager at Virtual Internships.

 

"I knew I wanted to work in Asia, but I just didn't know how to turn that dream into a reality. It [Virtual Internships] provided me with the skills and the experience to actually come to an organization like the UN and say, 'No, you know, I have experience in this area. I'll be able to contribute to your organization.' And here I am today."
Jack Crawford
VI Alumni
Now works at the United Nations

While each pursued distinct roles and industries, they all noted shared experiences, especially in relation to their levels of confidence and clarity on their career paths coming out of the program.

 

Overall, the webinar proved to be an invaluable forum for educators, career services personnel, potential partners, and students alike. Other important themes discussed addressed the needs of international students in light of visa restrictions, the ever-evolving landscape of remote and hybrid work culture, bridging the gap between theoretical, classroom knowledge and practical application in real work scenarios, the general benefits of virtual internships, and more.