ESU Micro-Internships

what is a micr0-internship?

Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are like those given to new hires or interns. These projects enable students to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks as they seek the right full-time role. ESU Micro-Internships can be found throughout departments across campus. 

how does an intern differ from a student assistant?

Interns will be expected to carry out duties at a more advanced level than traditional student workers. Interns will have responsibility for completion of the project and the project will be relevant to their career goals. Projects must have a clearly defined starting and endpoint. 

will i be paid?

Yes! All on-campus ESU student interns will be paid $10.00 per hour for the duration of their internship. Students may complete a Micro-Internship in increments of 50 hours, 100 hours, or 150 hours per project. As this internship is a paid, on-campus position, students are limited to working 20 hours TOTAL per week when class is in-session. If a student has another part-time on-campus job, they must ensure that they do not exceed 20 hours total between both positions in a single week. 

Can I complete a micro-internship for academic credit?

Students may complete a Micro-Internship for academic credit – or not! Micro-Internships completed “for credit” will need to meet all academic and supervisory requirements set forth by the department. 

micro-internship criteria

ESU Micro-Internship Projects must meet the following criteria:

• Duties must be more advanced than those performed by traditional student assistants

• Gives the student responsibility for the project, including decision-making authority

• Has a clearly defined start and endpoint

examples of micro-internship projects

• Developing a communication plan for a department to streamline and maximize content visibility

• Generate, administer, and analyze a department needs assessment

• Create a training manual for new hires within the department

how do i apply?

All ESU Micro-internships will be posted in Handshake. You should follow the application instructions within the  job post. These positions are open to all current ESU students.  

application process

Micro-Internships will be posted in Handshake beginning May 1st, 2024. Departments will review applicants, conduct interviews, and select interns. Start and end date and weekly schedule will be arranged with your department supervisor and based on the number of hours estimated to complete the project. 

Program Basics

Students may complete a Micro-Internship in increments of 50 hours, 100 hours, or 150 hours per project. Students may complete a Micro-Internship for academic credit – or not! Micro-Internships completed “for credit” will need to meet all academic and supervisory requirements set forth by the department.

To provide equitable opportunity for departments and students, departments will be limited to one intern and project per academic year. Supervision of the intern and project oversight is the responsibility of the department. Preference will be given to projects intended for undergraduate students.

Students will be paid $10 per hour and will need to turn in a timesheet each pay period, signed by their internship/department supervisor. Career Services will fund student wages.

Internship resources

• Faculty & Staff Handbook

• Internship Best Practices for Employers

• ESU Micro-Internship Student Handbook 

• Student Intern Evaluation

• General Interview Questions

• Micro-Internship FAQs

how does an intern differ from a student assistant?

Interns will be expected to carry out duties at a more advanced level than traditional student workers. Interns will have responsibility for completion of the project and the project will be relevant to their career goals. Projects must have a clearly defined starting and endpoint. 

project examples

Here are examples of projects that would likely be selected versus those not likely to be selected. Those more likely to be considered will meet the following criteria:

• Duties must be more advanced than those performed by traditional student assistants

• Gives the student responsibility for the project, including decision-making authority

• Has a clearly defined start and endpoint

good examples

• Developing a communication plan for your department

• Organizing, analyzing, and reporting data

• Conducting a needs assessment

bad examples

• Administrative duties, such as answering phones, cleaning, shredding documents, etc.

• Department social media manager

• Coordinating an established event

department expectations

• Department will provide direct supervision of the intern and oversight for the project.

• All department intern supervisors will be required to attend an Orientation session and Wrap-Up session at the start and end of each semester they are hosting an intern. 

• Each intern supervisor will be required to submit a mid-point evaluation and final evaluation of the intern (provided by Career Services) and complete a brief exit survey. 

• Each intern supervisor will be required to sign the intern's paper timesheet each pay period. 

application process for departments

1. Departments submit a Micro-Internship Project proposal to Career Services.

2. The Selection Committee will select the projects and notify all applicants.

3. Departments will develop position descriptions, which will then be reviewed by Career Services and posted in Handshake for students to apply.

4. Departments will review applicants, conduct interviews, and select interns.

5. Career Services will complete all new hire paperwork with the student and work with HR and Payroll to complete the onboarding process.