Students from underrepresented backgrounds often lack
- Social capital to understand career options and effectively pursue them.
- Access to opportunities that prioritize those with specific academic pedigrees or connections.
- Financial resources to accept unpaid internships or attend "top" colleges.
Through Gigs for Good, your organization can help
- Expand access to professionals roles for those that may otherwise be filtered out by traditional processes.
- Create opportunities that build confidence for students to explore careers they may not have understood or otherwise avoided.
- Overcome financial and situational constraints such as inability to travel or work for free.
Gigs for Good at a Glance
Create Connections
Support Career Development
Resumes don’t tell the full story: allow candidates to demonstrate skills like communication, problem-solving, and grit that are vital for in-demand, entry-level roles.
Ensure Access
Used by organizations of all sizes, in all industries, and across all departments, Micro-Internships take place year-round; require 10 to 40 hours of work by the student, and typically pay $20-25/hour directly to the student.
What are Gigs for Good initiatives?
Powered by Parker Dewey, Gigs for Good are funded, targeted Micro-Internship programs that provide paid project-based opportunities for career launchers to demonstrate skills, build professional connections, and explore careers.
As a Gigs for Good sponsor, your organization sets the project parameters, targeted student demographics, and supports marketing efforts to ensure maximum participation from local employers. Parker Dewey handles the rest, from administration and payroll, to NDAs and collecting feedback used for future hiring.
Explore current and past initiatives below.
RETAINING LOCAL TALENT
The Kansas Micro-Internship Program supports Kansas-based organizations to engage 2- and 4-year college students across the state.
ENGAGE ALUMNI
SwatWorks Micro-Internships allow alumni and friends of Swarthmore College to mentor and engage current students on real-world projects.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
To ensure equitable pathways from college to career, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation provides opportunities to a diverse population of Connecticut and Florida post-secondary students.
SUPPORT UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
When it came time to apply for more funding, the Cleveland Foundation granted John Carroll University’s Wayfinders Program more than they requested due to impact and results.
SUPPORT UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS
Providing professional work experience and learning opportunities for students filtered out by traditional recruiting programs.
EXPAND PATHWAYS
HubSpot's Micro-Internship Program, sponsored by the Education Partner Program in partnership with Parker Dewey, connects HubSpot Customers and Solutions Partners with students to complete short-term projects that solve real business challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns.
These projects enable Career Launchers to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks as they 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, and are due between one week and one month after kickoff.
Micro-Internships are used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups, and go across departments including sales, marketing, technology, HR, and finance.
All Micro-Internships on the Parker Dewey platform are fixed-fee, paid engagements. Gigs For Good Micro-Internships are funded through generous sponsors.
We're happy to provide grant proposal support! Please contact us to discuss your Gigs For Good initiative: https://info.parkerdewey.com/request-info-g4g
Parker Dewey is a mission-oriented organization that helps connect great talent with great employers through Micro-Internships.
Since our start in 2016, our mission has never pivoted and our extensive track record working with a variety of employers, institutions, and nonprofit organizations is unmatched.
We’ve thoughtfully designed the Micro-Internship experience to be mutually beneficial for early-career talent, employers, and the various organizations which provide support to both parties.
In addition to years of experience running programs across industries, regions, and targeted populations, we’re here to support you through:
- Program design and management
- Employer and student engagement
- Marketing strategy, resources, and templates
- Data collection and insights
- Payroll and employer of record management including NDA and employment contracts
Many of our partners initially attempt to go it alone, and quickly return to Parker Dewey for our expertise, hands-on support, and robust data.
We’re not a vendor, we’re a partner in creating pathways to meaningful employment for all.