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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 job-related skills, explore career paths, and build your professional network. Unlike traditional internships, Micro-Internships:

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

Micro-Internships are offered by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups both in Texas and across the U.S. 

Getting Started

As with any opportunity, there are a few things you can do to prepare for and consider which opportunities might be of interest to you.

But first:

  1. Create/Update your resume. If you don't have a resume yet, visit the TCE “Resumes & Cover Letters” page for examples and other helpful resources.
  2. Create an account on LinkedIn. LinkedIn provides a digital space for sharing your experience and background and to help you establish your professional network. It's easy to get started.  
  3. Create goals. Texas Career Engagement is here to help. Make an appointment to meet with a Career Coach/Counselor to review your resume, identify your core competencies, and clarify your career goals and how micro-internships can help you achieve them. 

Keep your resume and LinkedIn profile up-to-date as you gain more experiences.

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Apply to Opportunities

Micro-Internships are facilitated via the Parker Dewey platform, which connects students and recent grads with organizations in need of support.

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!

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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. In addition, you have access to additional tools through LinkedIn Learning and Coursera.
  4. Complete the project by the deadline(s) that you and your project supervisor identify.

If you have questions, reach out to Parker Dewey support 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:

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Frequently Asked Questions

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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 The University of Texas at Austin you will need to confirm your eligibility to work before you are able to apply to projects. It is strongly advised to contact International Student and Scholar Services 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.

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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.