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The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the landscape of internships, giving rise to more remote-only opportunities. Even as companies have gone back to in-person and hybrid work, many have made remote internships a permanent offering. As a result, you are not necessarily limited by geography when looking for a college internship. But are virtual internships valuable?

The short answer is, yes. However, there are some steps you may want to take to ensure you get the most you can out of the experience. Here are key things to know about remote college internships.

Finding Remote Internships

Colleges usually have information about internships, both those that are available during the school year and summer internships. Students can check in with their school’s career center and see what intel it has on remote internships.

Students who are looking for remote internships can also get in touch with those in the alumni organization, ask around in their personal networks, and see if their schools will be hosting any job fairs during the upcoming semester.

You might also check out the Virtual Student Federal Service, which matches students with projects from a variety of federal agencies. This program is virtual, students can be in charge of their timetable, and the commitment is 10 hours a week. The application period for the program is July 1-31 every year.


💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders help you pay down your student loans sooner with reward points you earn along the way

Creating a Home Office to Support Success

Working from home is a new experience for some people, so creating an environment that helps to maintain focus and health is key to success.

As with any office building, there are a few things that can be done to make the space healthier.

Those who will be spending most of the day in their home office may want to consider opening the windows, keeping the space clean, and investing in an air purifier.

A key piece of staying productive and reducing stress is having an organized space. When working from home, it helps to have a desk free of clutter.

Research has shown that maintaining an organized space helps with cognition, emotional health, and behavior. All of these factors contribute to how people perform at work.

Succeeding at an internship as well as at school could be challenging for students.

Setting boundaries for their work may help with prioritizing and prevent students from losing valuable study time.
Having set work hours can make it easier for students to turn “off” work mode and transition into study or relaxation mode.

Recommended: 3 Summer Jobs Ideas for College Students

Paying Attention to Health

Students should also be aware of the impact that working from home can have on their physical health.

Long hours on a computer, both writing papers and doing work for their internship, can take a toll.

To prevent eye strain, students can adopt the 20-20-20 rule. It goes like this: Every 20 minutes, look at an object at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

In addition to preventing eye strain, students may want to pay attention to their posture throughout the day.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends working in a neutral position that won’t strain joints and tendons, and changing positions, stretching, and walking throughout the day, as well as performing some tasks while standing.

Physical health isn’t the only kind that can be affected by spending long periods of time at home.

Some people have reported that working from home caused them to feel more stress, whereas others said it reduced stress. Since this varies, students will have to keep an eye out for mental well-being during a remote internship.

To take care of their mental health, students can implement routines like walking, meditating, and calling friends.

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Finding Value in Virtual Networking

Video calls are a great way to connect and network with others virtually.

Emails and phone calls are still important pieces of remote work, but with video calls, it’s easier to connect with remote co-workers and better understand them during meetings.

Nonverbal communication skills are essential to good communication.

This means that networking virtually is possible. Networking during an internship is important because internships have the potential to turn into full-time positions.

Asking colleagues to get together for a video chat to ask questions or better understand their position could improve the chance of being offered a job at the end of the internship.

Networking virtually takes planning and intentional communication, because coworkers can’t bond over lunch or chat at the water cooler.

Setting up a virtual chat to get to know colleagues better can demonstrate the ability to take initiative and how serious the intern is taking the position.

Recommended: A Guide to Post Grad Internships

Starting Off on the Right Foot

A virtual internship is going to work a bit differently from an in-person internship, which means students should be ready to ask a lot of questions.

Before beginning the internship, prepare a list of questions to ask the employer via email or video chat.

Asking questions can help students develop important leadership skills, so it’s a good habit to develop during an internship.

Starting an internship off right also involves setting up regular check-ins with a manager. They may do this already, but if not, it’s OK to ask for it to be implemented.

Receiving regular feedback can improve performance, and therefore help students get the most out of their internships.

Juggling studies and a remote internship may be intense, so part of being prepared is getting a calendar to track important dates and internship tasks.

Blocking off time in a calendar to focus on the internship tasks could prevent moments of burnout and overwhelm.

Brushing Up On the Tech

Before beginning a virtual internship, it could help students to get familiar with the common platforms that are used in remote work for communication, task management, file sharing, and online calendars.

Each workplace is going to use different programs; some may prefer Asana versus Trello when it comes to task management, and some may prefer Slack versus Basecamp for communication within the team.

There are tons of programs out there to make virtual work easier. Interns won’t be able to learn them all, but brushing up on what’s popular may ease anxiety and increase feelings of preparedness.

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Documenting Your Success

It can be really easy to forget all that has been accomplished during an internship.

Most internships last a whole semester (or summer), and if students aren’t tracking what their tasks and accomplishments are, they may forget them.

This is important information for students to keep for both themselves and their managers.

Keeping things documented can help students easily add their accomplishments and new skills to their resume.

It will also make it easier for managers to write a letter of recommendation at the end of the internship.

With luck, the manager will remember the best of the accomplishments, but if they’re managing a large team it could be difficult for them to write a letter without reference points.

A letter of recommendation can help students once they enter the workforce and begin applying for jobs.


💡 Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to understand the pros and cons of private student loans and federal student loans before committing to them.

Keeping the Financial Support Flowing

Many college internships are paid, but some are not. Either way, you’ll likely still need financial support to cover the cost of college — which usually goes well beyond tuition.

Your funding options include federal aid (including grants, scholarships, and subsidized student loans), savings, help from parents or others, and private student loans.

It’s generally recommended that students exhaust all options of federal aid (including federal loans) before moving on to private loans.

Federal loans come with benefits that students may not find elsewhere, such as income-based student loan repayment plans.

If you still have gaps in funding, you may want to apply for a private student loan. These are available from banks, credit unions, and online lenders. Rates and terms are determined by the lender. Students who have excellent credit (or can recruit a cosigner who does) generally qualify for the lowest rates.

If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.

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Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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A number of investors trade stocks and bonds through an investment broker. What is a broker? A broker — or brokerage firm — is the middleman between the buyer and seller and can help make a transaction go smoothly.

But an investment broker is not strictly necessary. Some companies offer a direct stock plan, allowing investors to purchase shares straight from the company without a broker.

In order to decide if you need an investment broker, it’s essential to know how a broker works, what exactly they do, and how to shop around for one that fits your needs.

What Is an Investment Broker?

Investment brokers enable individuals to buy and sell financial securities, like stocks or bonds, on an exchange market.

What does a broker do? Reputable brokers act as a boon to both buyers and sellers: They ensure that each party actually has the money to buy assets or the assets to sell.

Brokers settle trades by delivering securities and payments to each party, while also taking care of all the bookkeeping and tax-related documentation required. In many cases, going through a brokerage firm is the easiest and most accessible way for individuals to get started with investing.


💡 Quick Tip: Did you know that opening a brokerage account typically doesn’t come with any setup costs? Often, the only requirement to open a brokerage account — aside from providing personal details — is making an initial deposit.

Pros and Cons of Using an Investment Broker

As with any financial service, there are both benefits and drawbacks to using a brokerage firm to facilitate your trades.

Pros of Using a Broker

Accessibility

Thanks to the internet, you can open a brokerage account in minutes and start trading stocks as soon as your account is funded. That means employing a financial broker is one of the easiest ways to start an investment journey as quickly as possible.

Simplicity

When you buy and sell through a broker, a lot of the tedious footwork — like keeping tabs on your interest earnings for tax purposes — is taken care of for you. Depending on the type of brokerage firm you go with, you may also have access to professional financial advice and other advisory services that could help you make the most of your portfolio.

Cons of Using a Broker

Fees and Commissions

Although they’ll vary based on the specifics you choose and the type of account you open, some brokers charge maintenance fees and trade fees — also known as commissions — which can eat away at your nest egg. In fact, the average stock broker commission charged by brokerage firms is usually 1% to 2% of the value of the total transaction.

That said, you can minimize your investment fees, or even eliminate them, by shopping around for brokers with the lowest costs. For example, many online brokers offer no commission trading.

Required Portfolio Minimums

Although it’s not true of every brokerage firm, some require you to keep a minimum amount of money in your account to use their services. These minimums might be $1,000 or more, which can be a barrier to entry for some beginner investors.

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Two Types of Brokerage Accounts

If you’re still asking yourself, what does a broker do?, it’s important to understand that not all brokers are created equal. There are many kinds of brokerage accounts to choose from. For instance, you may want to choose between a brokerage account vs. a cash management account, both of which are offered by brokerages.

The best product for you will depend on your individual financial goals and your budget. Here’s what you need to know to help make an informed decision.

1. Full-service Brokerage Accounts

Along with the ability to buy and sell assets, a full-service brokerage account might also include advice from human financial planners and portfolio management to help you make the best investment decisions possible.

However, these perks don’t come cheap. Full-service brokerage accounts and wealth-management companies usually calculate their charges as a percentage of your total portfolio, and may have account minimums as high as $250,000. They may also collect trade commissions and annual management fees.

2. Discount Brokerages

Discount brokers offer less consultation and guidance, allowing you to DIY your investment portfolio cheaply. Many have $0 account minimums and may charge less than $10 per trade — or even offer commission-free assets trading.

Both full-service and discount brokerages typically offer both cash and margin accounts. In a cash account, you’ll need the actual cash to buy your assets. In contrast, in a margin account, the broker will lend you some capital to make purchases, using the securities you already own as collateral.


💡 Quick Tip: If you’re opening a brokerage account for the first time, consider starting with an amount of money you’re prepared to lose. Investing always includes the risk of loss, and until you’ve gained some experience, it’s probably wise to start small.

Regulations for Investment Brokers

Investment brokers are regulated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Brokers must register with FINRA, and they are required to follow a standard of conduct known as the suitability rule. Under this rule, brokers need to have suitable grounds for recommending particular investments to clients.

The rule also encompasses something called “know your customer,” which spells out the various steps brokers need to use to identify clients and their goals for savings, including making a reasonable effort to ascertain a client’s financial and tax situation when recommending investments.

Different Types of Investment Accounts

Aside from deciding what type of brokerage you’d like to do business with (and how much you’re willing to pay for financial services), you’ll also need to decide what type of investment account works best for your goals.

Maybe you’re investing for a shorter-term objective, like purchasing a house — or perhaps you’re trying to ensure you’ll have a comfortable retirement. Either way, specific investment account types, or “vehicles,” are designed to help you get there.

Recommended: Understanding a Taxable Brokerage Account vs an IRA

Taxable Brokerage Account

Think of this as a default investment vehicle. It may be a good choice if you’re looking to grow wealth and want to be able to add or withdraw funds on your own terms without waiting to reach a certain age or life circumstance. However, you pay taxes on earnings, so there are no tax advantages to this type of account. If you don’t make any specific investment vehicle choices when you open your brokerage account, this is most likely the one you’re getting.

Individual Retirement Account (IRA)

An individual retirement account, or IRA, is a type of investment account designed specifically for retirement goals and is available to self-employed people and those working for a company. IRAs carry specific tax incentives; for example, contributions to traditional IRAs are deductible, while Roth IRAs allow for tax-free distributions. However, you can’t access the funds without paying a penalty until you reach age 59 ½ or meet certain circumstantial requirements, such as purchasing your first home.

A broker may offer other savings or investment vehicles, such as a 529 college savings plan, a tax-incentivized plan to help people save for educational costs. For full details on the type of accounts available, it makes sense to check with your broker directly.

Alternatives to Investing With a Broker

Although using a broker to invest in the stock market might be a smart money move for some, there are other ways to get started with investing, including the following options.

Recommended: Buying Stocks Without a Broker

Automated Investing

Automated investment products, or robo-advisors, are platforms that utilize a combination of computer algorithms and human financial planners to create and manage diversified portfolios at low costs to users.

Your funds will be invested in a diversified portfolio, and the platform typically offers goal-planning tools and rebalancing services to help keep your funds moving in the right direction.

If you don’t want to pay the high prices for a full-service broker, but self-managing your portfolio makes you more than a little nervous, a robo-advisor may be right for you.

Buying Stocks and Fractional Shares Directly

Depending on whose stocks you’re interested in purchasing, you may be able to buy them directly from the issuer without needing to go through a brokerage firm.

It pays to read the fine print, however: Buying stocks directly may save you money on trade commissions, but you may also be subject to proprietary fees from the company or minimum purchase amounts. And if you’re buying fractional shares (fractions of shares of stock), you need to have an investment account, such as one with an online broker or robo-adviser.

Diversifying your assets can still be helpful for investors who buy stocks directly. If all of your investments are tied up in a single company, you may not be in a great position if that company begins to falter. In contrast, if you’ve invested in several different firms and other asset classes, you will likely have a wider margin for error.

Choosing Alternative Investments

Although the stock market is one of the most popular and generally low-effort ways to invest, there are plenty of other ways to try turning your money into more money.

You might consider exploring alternative investments. For example, you could invest in real estate and sell the property at a profit or turn a condo into a passive income source by putting it up for rent. Or you might invest in art; the value of paintings is not necessarily correlated with the behavior of the stock market, giving it the potential to rise even during a stock market crash.

That said, many alternative investments require significantly more time, work, and know-how than crafting a diversified portfolio of stock market assets. And as always, every investment involves risk. There’s no such thing as a sure thing.

Controlling Your Investments With SoFi

If you’ve decided stock market investments are the right move for you and your money, going through a broker can be a relatively simple and low-cost way to gain access to the market. However, if you’d rather avoid potential downsides, like fees or required account minimums, you may want to consider the option to invest directly. The choice is yours.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

FAQ

What is the role of a stock broker?

A stock broker is a financial professional who buys and sells stocks on behalf of clients. A broker generally earns a fee or commission for their services.

How do brokers make money?

Brokers typically work on commission. The average stock broker commission is usually 1% to 2% of the value of the total transaction.

Why do people use brokers?

People use brokers to help them buy and sell stocks and bonds. Brokers also handle the necessary bookkeeping and tax-related documentation. For many individuals, using a broker is the easiest way to start investing.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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