School’s out for summer across Northeast Florida! Many of our local college students are growing their skills through internships in the region and beyond. However, it may not work out for all students to participate in a three-month internship. If you are a college student working a part-time job, taking summer classes or wanting flexibility in your schedule while gaining industry experience, micro-internships could be a great fit for you.
What are micro-internships?
Just as the name implies, micro-internships are like miniature internships that give college students and recent graduates practical experience working for a company in their field. Much like a standard internship, you use the skills you learned at school to complete a project and produce tangible results for a company. These short-term projects normally last two to four weeks, although some can be as short as a few hours. Micro-internships are paid positions and typically have competitive wages.
Micro-internships are available in a variety of industries. Popular options include marketing, finance, technology and communications. Projects range from creating social media calendars and organizing data in spreadsheets to recruiting job candidates and beta testing software programs.
What are the benefits of micro-internships?
FLEXIBILITY
The primary benefit of micro-internships is the flexibility. While some are required to be done on-site, the majority of micro-internships are completed remotely. The possibility of a remote micro-internship adds to the flexibility of the role and expands the opportunities that are available to you.
Since the projects are short in nature, they can be done alongside schoolwork, jobs and extracurricular activities. The company provides a deadline and an expected number of hours for the project. However, for the most part, you can choose how you manage your time and fit the project into your existing schedule.
Micro-internships are available throughout the year, and the project options are constantly updating. A variety of work-based learning experiences looks great on a resume, and micro-internships provide a range of opportunities.
VARIABILITY
You may have the option of completing multiple micro-internships depending on your schedule. Since the projects are short, you can potentially complete two or more micro-internships in the same time your peers are working one internship. This helps you gain experience and skills from a variety of projects, learn the culture of multiple companies and expand your industry network.
It also leaves room for trial. If a particular project or company is not your ideal fit, you can search for a new one after that project is completed rather than committing a larger chunk of your time, like in a typical internship.
ACCESSIBILITY
Another important benefit of micro-internships is that they provide minority college students with an equal opportunity to gain experience. Historically, first-generation and minority college students are less likely to get internships due to a lack of industry connections or the need to work full-time to pay for school. With micro-internships, that gap is closed by providing an even playing field, quality wages and shorter time-frame. Students who were previously untapped by recruiters have the chance to showcase their skills and the immense benefit that diversity brings to a team.
How do I find micro-internships?
The Parker Dewey website is a great place to begin your search for micro-internships. Parker Dewey originated the concept of micro-internships a few years ago and remains the go-to source for both employers and students. Creating a Career Launcher profile takes less than 15 minutes. Upload your information, resume and LinkedIn to complete your profile and make a great first impression on employers. You can scroll through available opportunities on your account dashboard and filter them by location and key words. New projects become available frequently, so check this list often.
If you are interested in health and wellness, GuideWell is a great resource for Northeast Florida students searching for micro-internships. The GuideWell family of companies covers health insurance, health care delivery, government services and more. With a culture of belonging and care, GuideWell prioritizes investing in their employees and serving their customers. Join their Talent Community to receive updates for open micro-internships and job positions.
Your school may also provide a micro-internship program. Check with a career counselor to see what may be available. Your school’s alumni network might have great micro-internships at their companies, so be sure to reach out to them on LinkedIn.
Micro-internships are changing the game for college students. They enable you to optimize your schedule while gaining experience that provides real results for acclaimed companies. Plus, if the project is a success, it may lead to a full-time job offer! Micro-internships help students grow their professional skills while allowing businesses to connect with students in a unique way. We look forward to seeing Northeast Florida take advantage of these innovative opportunities.
