Micro-internships

The search for meaningful work experience can be challenging, especially when juggling a busy class schedule. A micro-internship may be the answer you're looking for. Our partnership with the Parker Dewey organization gives you year-round access to highly relevant, short-term opportunities called micro-internships. Through a micro-internship, you can apply your classroom learnings to a paid project for a leading company or startup.

Benefits

Whether you're launching your career or exploring a new career path, searching for ways to test the waters and get a foot in the door at the companies that interest can be tricky, especially when you don't have prior experience.

A micro-internship allows you to explore new industries, strengthen your skills, and expand your professional network through paid, short-term work. Unlike most traditional internships, micro-internships typically happen year-round, range from 10 to 40 hours total, and can be accomplished remotely at the times that suit your schedule. During your micro-internship, you will:

  • Explore the careers and companies that intrigue you
  • Find work that fits with your demanding academic schedule
  • Apply classroom learning to real business challenges
  • Gain valuable professional experience for your resumé
  • Develop the self-knowledge and enduring confidence that only experience can provide
  • Build relationships with employers aligned with your professional goals

Eligibility   

All D'Amore-McKim graduate students and alumni may be eligible to participate in micro-internships. You are encouraged to work with your career advisor when considering applying for a micro-internship.

International students

Students in F-1 and J-1 status are responsible to confirm their eligibility for off-campus work authorization by consulting the Office of Global Services (OGS) website, calling our office, or by visiting us during walk-in advising hours. Eligible F-1/J-1 international students must request and be approved for the appropriate work authorization before they can begin an experiential learning opportunity.

How to secure a micro-internship

When you're ready to begin your search, create a Career Launcher profile and upload your resumé at the Parker Dewey website—be sure to build your profile thoughtfully, as micro-internships are highly competitive. These positions often fill the same day they're posted, so start early to secure the right opportunities for you.

What your micro-internship may look like  

You'll work on a strategic project for your micro-internship host company that will allow you to experience the company's culture and help advance its business goals. Your project will be similar to projects typically given to interns or new hires at the company.

Timeline  

Micro-internships are available year-round and range from 10 to 40 hours total. You'll complete and submit all tasks remotely at the times that suit your schedule.

Sample micro-internship project topics

Sales
  • Lead generation
  • Prospect research
  • CRM cleansing
Human Resources
  • Job description review
  • Candidate sourcing
  • Evaluating competitive best practices
IT
  • Website updates
  • User experience testing
  • Updating user manuals
Operations
  • Data cleansing
  • Vendor research
  • Community relations
Marketing
  • Content creation
  • Social media content calendar creation
  • Market research
Finance
  • Financial analysis
  • Financial modeling
  • Industry analysis

Evaluation 

After completing your micro-internship project, you'll outline your accomplishments and submit them to your employer, who will provide constructive feedback on your performance. You can then identify as an independent consultant for Parker Dewey on your résumé and LinkedIn profile.

FAQs 

All micro-internships are virtual.

You may repeat micro-internships with an employer—even if the micro-internship takes place in a different term or academic year. Once familiar with a company, an employer may ask you to continue working on a project or take on a related project if they like your work.

Please note that students on an F-1 visa will need to apply for CPT for each project they complete.

Your employer will determine your pay rate according to your responsibilities. Micro-internship postings will include the payment offered.

You may also find a volunteer opportunity through one of our nonprofit partners. If you're interested in pursuing a nonprofit micro-internship, connect with your career advisor to explore your options.

Ask good questions at the start—you need to understand why the client wants this project done and how they expect the finished product to look. Once you're clear on the expectations, set reasonable milestones that you know you can achieve, and reach out immediately to the company and Parker Dewey if you encounter a challenge you don't know how to handle. Make sure you complete your project 100% to the best of your ability. We advise having a peer check your work before you turn it in.

All D'Amore-McKim graduate students and alumni may be eligible to participate in micro-internships. You are encouraged to work with your career advisor when considering applying for a micro-internship.

International students

Students in F-1 and J-1 status are responsible to confirm their eligibility for off-campus work authorization by consulting the Office of Global Services website, calling our office, or by visiting us during walk-in advising hours. Eligible F-1/J-1 international students must request and be approved for the appropriate work authorization before they can begin an experiential learning opportunity.

Get started today

Navigate to micro-internship opportunities on the Global Talent System (GTS)
Create a Parker Dewey account
Set up a profile
Review opportunities aligned with your interests
Log in frequently to see what's new
Apply right away if you're interested, as positions fill quickly
Log in to get started Log in to get started