Who Fetches the Coffee?

Who Fetches the Coffee?
This article looks at virtual internships, and how they compare with traditional, in-person internships. Since I am an intern this semester, and the bulk of my internship is virtual, I thought this would be an interesting article. That, and it pretty much goes along with the whole COMET program.
Supporters tout the benefits of of virtual internships, which are ever-increasing in the school-to-business arena. Virtual interns are more accountable for their work, since many internships tend to be more project-based. Flexibility is also a big issue, as many interns are full-time students and cannot always spend 9-5 in an office. Also, employers do not have to furnish interns with an office, which is convenient for small businesses. Furthermore, virtual interns get the experience of having to manage their own time and projects.
Critics of online internships say that these interns are missing out on face-to-face interactions with colleagues and supervisors. Traditional interns are more able to chat with other employees, learn the culture of a company, and have others to rely on for immediate support.