Is Virtual Work Experience worth it?

Is Virtual Work Experience Worth it?

Most of us already know that having work experience is important when trying to land a new role.

Employers rarely hire someone without it—especially if they’re offering a competitive salary. They want to know that you can get up to speed quickly and start contributing without too much hand-holding.

That’s why building relevant experience, especially in roles you’re aiming for, is so important.

In recent years, many learning institutions, platforms, and organisations have responded to this need by offering different kinds of virtual work experience. But that leads to a common set of questions:

Is virtual work experience really valuable?

Is it seen as credible as in-person experience?

And how do you make sure it counts when you’re applying for jobs?

The answer depends on the type of experience you choose, how consistently you build on it over time, and how well you communicate its relevance to potential employers.

Here’s a closer look at some of the main types of virtual work experience available—and what they offer.

Virtual Experience Built into Academic Programmes

Many learning institutions include short virtual work placements as part of their curriculum. These usually run for two to three weeks and are designed to give students a glimpse into professional environments and some practical tasks.

They’re a good introduction to workplace skills, but on their own, they may not carry enough weight with employers.

Think of them as an early step—useful, but best when combined with other, more in-depth experiences.

Self-Paced or Simulated Virtual Experience

Some platforms offer simulated work experiences that are based on real roles or projects, often created in collaboration with well-known companies. You work through them on your own, usually at your own pace. These can help you understand the kinds of tasks expected in a particular role or industry, and they’re often great preparation for interviews.

However, since they don’t involve real teams, deadlines, or accountability, they’re usually seen more as a learning tool than as actual work experience.

Platforms like The Forage and Springpod are well known for offering this kind of opportunity.

Virtual Programmes Designed by Employers

In some cases, learning providers work directly with employers to design virtual programmes that build role-specific skills—especially in fields like tech and data. These programmes often simulate real work and can lead to fast-tracked opportunities with the company. They can be a strong pathway into the job market, especially if you’re clear about the kind of work you want to do.

That said, some of these programmes can be very expensive, and the time commitment is something to consider as well.

Springboard and General Assembly are examples of this kind of model.

Remote Volunteering for Nonprofits

Many not-for-profits welcome virtual volunteers to support tasks like social media, research, admin, or design. These opportunities can offer great hands-on experience, especially if you’re starting out or shifting careers.

The work may not always match with the role you're aiming for, but if you choose the right projects, it’s possible to build transferable skills. Plus, it’s a chance to contribute to something meaningful while gaining experience.

Reach Volunteering is a great platform to find volunteering opportunities,

Paid Virtual Internships

These are often the most structured of the virtual experience options. Internships may last a few weeks, offer supervision and feedback, and involve real work for real organisations. They also pay—although usually at minimum wage—and often focus on students or recent graduates.

Because of the high level of competition and limited availability, they’re not always easy to secure. But if you can land one, it’s a valuable opportunity to add depth to your CV or portfolio.

The Grad Soc is a good platform to apply for paid internships.

Hands-On Experience Programmes at ELE Hub

At the Experiential Learning & Employability Hub, we offer a different type of virtual experience—one that’s focused on learning through doing.

These Hands-On Experience Programmes typically run over three months and give participants the chance to take on real management or marketing roles—such as project manager, digital marketer, fundraiser or business developer—while working in a team to deliver tangible outcomes.

What sets these programmes apart is the balance between structure that enables real-world career evidence, and the flexibility to practise skills and build confidence.

Participants:

• Work on real tasks in real projects that reflect the demands of the role

• Learn how to manage responsibilities, collaborate remotely, and deliver results

• Build evidence of experience that can be used in job interviews and career portfolios

• Receive feedback and support throughout
  

The focus is on helping people build practical experience in a safe, low-risk environment—particularly helpful for recent graduates, adult learners, or anyone trying to break into a new field.

Making Virtual Experience Count

Virtual work experience can absolutely be worthwhile—but its value depends on how you approach it.

Rather than looking for one perfect opportunity, think about how to build a combination of experiences over time.

Start small if you need to. Mix academic placements with self-paced learning, volunteering, or structured programmes. Reflect on what you’ve done, identify what you’ve learned, and practise explaining how that experience is relevant to the roles you’re applying for.

When you approach it this way, virtual experience can become a powerful part of your journey—especially in a world where remote and hybrid working is increasingly the norm.