Employment relationships are undergoing rapid change as organizational, industrial and technological change influences how, when, and with whom we work. Virtual work, teleworkers, international freelancers, outsourcing of research and development all represent developments that would not have been possible prior to the onset of the Internet and sophisticated social interaction and media software. Virtual workers may be employed on a long-term or permanent basis for an organization. Their employment as virtual workers is often preceded by regular employment within the same organization. Many virtual workers are also experts in their field who are sought after for their expertise and skills. As job forms have evolved, so have the forms of internships. Virtual or e-internships represent learning experiences that are often fully computer-mediated, with supervisors, interns and their colleagues in different locations. We prefer the term ‘e-internship’ in line with e-recruiting, e-mentoring and e-HRM. E-interns, in common with some virtual workers, are likely to work on temporary and project-based activities. Both types of workers are also unlikely to work in close proximity or face-to-face with their immediate supervisors and colleagues. In both virtual work and e-internships, all interactions are facilitated by—but also heavily dependent on—technology, software, and good communication skills of all individuals involved. They also offer greater autonomy for the worker although building relationships and developing trust with colleagues can be more challenging.
