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Micro-Internships

Continuing education students in any discipline can execute professional assignments to build and demonstrate skills while exploring a variety of career paths.
Apply for Micro-Internships

What are Micro-Internships?

Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects allow you to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build your networks as you seek the right full-time role. Unlike traditional internships, Micro-Internships:

  • Can take place year-round
  • Typically range from 10 to 40 hours of work
  • Are typically due between one week and one month after kick-off.

Micro-Internships are used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups both in California and across the U.S.  Micro-Internships are facilitated via the Parker Dewey platform, which connects Students/Recent Grads with Organizations in need of support.

Getting Started

Whether you are starting your career, aiming for a promotion, or considering making a career move, Micro-Internships can be the launchpad to reach your goal. You can explore different career paths and work on interesting projects all while building your resume and GETTING PAID!

But first:

  1. Create/Update your resume. If you don't have a resume yet, connect with the DCE Career Advancement Network website to get help. 
  2. Create an account on LinkedIn. This can help you establish your professional network and online presence, and it's easy to get started.  
  3. Explore your career options. If you are not sure what kinds of opportunities interest you, check out DCE Certificate programs.
  4. Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up-to-date as you gain more experiences.
UCI Division of Continuing Ed Students Working on a Puzzle

Apply to Opportunities

Don't wait for a full-time internship to gain professional experience. Micro-Internships can be done at all stages of your academic career and let you learn about different companies, roles, and career paths!

To begin,

  1. Visit Parker Dewey. You can see what Micro-Internships are available once you create an account. 
  2. Complete your profile.
  3. Apply to projects that interest you. Be sure to be professional in all communications with the prospective employer. 

Be sure to return to the Parker Dewey platform regularly to keep on applying to new opportunities!

UCI Division of Continuing Ed Courtyard

On the Job

Selected for a Micro-Internship? Congratulations!  When you receive the notification via email, you’ll also receive a checklist of recommended next steps, including:

  1. Schedule your kickoff meeting. Email the project contact to set up a time to discuss the Micro-Internship real-time. Remember, communicate professionally, ask good questions, and make sure you understand what's expected. And be prepared - the project supervisor is counting on you to do a GREAT job!
  2. Sign up for Parker Dewey's payroll system. You will be paid directly by Parker Dewey, and the link is provided in your congratulations email.
  3. Use your resources (knowledge from class and other experiences, mentors, faculty, etc.) to complete the project to the best of your ability.
  4. Complete the project by the deadline(s) that you and your project supervisor identify.

If you have questions, reach out to support@parkerdewey.com at any time.

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After Your Micro-Internship

When you complete your Micro-Internship, you will receive a checklist of things to do such as:

group of friends in an apartment talking

Frequently Asked Questions

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Projects completed through Parker Dewey are only available to U.S. citizens or international students with approved Optional Practical Training (OPT) or other work authorization. If you are a current F-1 visa student at UC Irvine DCE, you must confirm work eligibility before applying to projects. It is strongly advised for you to contact the International Student Advising team at ImmigrationAdvising@ce.uci.edu for more information on work authorization eligibility and to ensure compliance with USCIS regulations.

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Current students and alumni do not need to have DACA or TPS to apply to Micro-internships.  All Micro-internships are structured as independent contract work, which means successful applicants would be hired by Parker Dewey as independent contractors.

Other Considerations:

You may use your work authorization or a valid ITIN to be paid as an independent contractor.

You may already have an ITIN if your parents ever filed income taxes and claimed you as a dependent. You can find out if you have an ITIN in your parents’ tax forms.

If you have an ITIN, make sure to find out if it has expired. If it has, you will need to renew it. Find information on ITIN expiration and renewal here.

If you do not have an ITIN, you can learn how to obtain one here: ITIN Guide or this video from Immigrants Rising.

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For more information about how the payment process works for students/recent grads completing Micro-Internships, click here.

If you have additional questions about Micro-Internships, please contact Parker Dewey.