Use for: Gaining Experience & Building Skills
When you are launching your career, finding ways to test out different industries or even get your foot in the door can be challenging, especially without having prior experience. That’s where Micro-Internships can help. These short-term, paid, professional projects are open to all college students and recent graduates of U.S.-based institutions. From working directly with an entrepreneur to supporting a large enterprise, you’ll have the opportunity to explore different roles and company cultures in a way that fits into your schedule.
Every project on Parker Dewey is paid a fair per-project rate, so what you see is what you will earn upon completion. Most importantly, Parker Dewey protects you as you’ll never have to negotiate pay, send an invoice, or create a contract—all of these details are managed behind the scenes on our platform.
USF students and alumni can browse micro-internship opportunities by creating a free online account with Parker Dewey
From the USF Parker Dewey Micro-Internships main page, click “Create a Free Account,” then click “Sign up as a Career Launcher” below the sign-in button.
To create your account, you will need to provide your first and last name, email address, and a password.
Once you’ve logged in to your new account, you will have the chance to complete your profile. We encourage you to spend some time making sure your profile is complete and up-to-date, as it will be seen by the employers whose projects you have applied for.
The Parker Dewey Micro-Internship site typically has between 25-50 micro-internships posted at any given time. Employers post new opportunities very often, so it is important to login frequently to view recent postings. Postings remain live on the site until the employer has hired someone to complete the project.
You can view all current postings under the “Opportunities” section of your dashboard. You can also sort the postings by ones you have marked as a favorite or hidden from view, and by on-site or remote. If you choose to sort by on-site, you can also search by state to see if any have been posted near you.
To view details and apply for an opportunity, click on the “Details” toggle in the bottom right corner of any opportunity, then click “Apply for this project.”
Applying for opportunities can be competitive, so it is important to make sure your profile is updated, including your resume and portfolio of related work samples, before you begin applying.
Every application is different, but most consist of a few short response questions related to the project or organization. In addition to being able to view your responses to these questions, the employer will also be able to see the information you’ve made available on your profile. Some employers may also request related work samples or conduct phone interviews as part of the application and selection process.
Employers may select multiple students to work on a single project they have posted.
The payment for any opportunity posted on Parker Dewey’s site is listed in the opportunity’s details, along with an estimated number of work hours and the anticipated start and due dates for the project. The payment amount you see listed on the project is the amount you will receive upon the project’s successful completion.
Payments are made after Parker Dewey has received confirmation from the client that the project is complete. Once you are finished working on your project, mark it as completed through your dashboard. This will formally notify the client and Parker Dewey that you are finished. Payments are processed at the end of each month, but Parker Dewey may be able to release funds early depending on the circumstances.
After you are selected for a project, you will receive accounting documents that you will need to return to Parker Dewey. Parker Dewey will not be able to release payment if the forms are not submitted. Payments can be received either through direct deposit or physical check. Parker Dewey will only be able to process direct deposits to a U.S. bank account.
Income earned through projects should be reported on your tax return as self-employment income. If you earned more than $600 from projects during the year, Parker Dewey will send you a 1099 to report on your tax return. You should receive the 1099 by January 31st each year.
For other questions related to payment information, visit Parker Dewey’s Career Launcher Payment FAQ page.
Upon completion of the project, the organization has the opportunity to provide feedback. This review includes an overall rating along with an evaluation of the performance in five specific areas: timeliness, communication, quality, presentation, and skill level. In addition, organizations can offer confidential feedback directly to you, providing professional development similar to what an individual might receive from a mentor.
In all cases, Parker Dewey does not publish this feedback, nor is there any form of rating on their platform.
If selected for a micro-internship through Parker Dewey’s site, you would be considered an independent contractor – not an employee of either Parker Dewey or the organization for whom you complete the project.
On your resume, LinkedIn profile, or portfolio, it is recommended that you categorize these experiences under the heading “Independent Consultant” and highlight each engagement separately or by category.
If you accept a micro-internship through Parker Dewey, you are subject to the Nondisclosure Agreement in the Terms of Use and therefore should be sensitive to the level of detail provided. You may request that a client review the content or contact Parker Dewey for feedback.
Micro-Internships are eligible for international students through CPT, OPT, or a work visa. When international students sign up for the platform, their account is not activated until they confirm their eligibility to complete Micro-Internships. The students are directed to reach out to their International Students Office, and once they confirm eligibility, the profile is activated on Parker Dewey.