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Micro-Internships

Students from all majors 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 5 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 Oregon 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

Micro-Internships can provide a tremendous opportunity to build skills and gain experience when you are preparing for or launching your career. You can explore different career paths and work on interesting projects all while building your resume and GETTING PAID!

  1. Create or update your resume.
    1. University Career Center Resume Resources
    2. School of Business students have access to VMock, the AI-powered online resume tool.
  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. Understand what your core competencies (skills and strengths) are. The skills employers value most are not tied to a major but are actually things like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Understanding these skills and how to communicate them is invaluable.
  4. Get assistance creating your profile or with your Micro-Internship applications.
    1. From the University Career Center
    2. From The School of Business Career Center
Portland State University Student Studying

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. Apply to Micro-Internships. Since these are short-term and you can work on as many as you want, they're a great way to explore various opportunities, including those you may not have thought about. NOTE: You will apply to each Micro-Internship separately. Each Micro-Internship application will require a series of short answers. Employers make decisions on who to hire for their projects based on these short answers, so make sure they are thorough and well-written. (Career Center staff can help!)
  3. Identify learning opportunities. While Micro-Internships are designed for college students, some require specific skills. If those projects interest you but you don't feel ready, check out LinkedIn Learning as a way to get prepared. NOTE: PSU students can access LinkedIn Learning through the Multnomah County Library.
  4. Return often to the Parker Dewey platform to look for new opportunities!
Portland State University Student

On the Job

Selected for a Micro-Internship?  Congratulations!  After you receive the notification via email, you should: 

  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.

Portland State University Students

After Your Micro-Internship

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

  • Complete a brief survey about your experience.
  • Review the feedback you receive from your supervisor.
  • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile with your Micro-Internship experience.
  • Stay in touch with your Micro-Internship Supervisor. 
  • Apply to another Micro-Internship!
Portland State University Commencement

Frequently Asked Questions

A.

Projects completed through Parker Dewey are only available to U.S. citizens or international students with approved Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), or other work authorization.

If you are a current F-1/J1 international student at Portland State University, you will need to confirm your eligibility to work before you are able to apply to projects. It is strongly advised to contact the International Student Services Office regarding information on eligibility for work authorization to ensure compliance with internship requirements and USCIS regulations.

A.

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.

A.

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.