Consider the Benefits Micro-Internships Offer

The art of educating and forming the inquiring minds of our youth is one that transcends the theoretical realm. Effectively creating ready and able-minded young adults relies not just on formal education, but also on the ability to equip them with the necessary tools and practical knowledge to become world-class workers. 

Life after a college education can be difficult and there are many students that lack access to opportunities like traditional internships. Internships serve as a stepping stone, bridging the gap between college and professional employment. Shamrck hopes equity will be promoted in these opportunities, and would like to use this article to discuss the benefits of micro-internships.

What is an internship?

Traditional internships have existed for decades, evolving into a broad range of business fields. Internships have descended from the professional apprenticeships of old in 11th or 12th century Europe.   

It is generally a limited-time employment opportunity that is offered by a company or organization, chiefly to students in that particular area. Through programs such as internships, students are exposed to a practical experience that allows them to “learn by doing”.  

Interns are afforded the opportunity of on-the-job training by undertaking relevant tasks and projects and have the advantage of making industry connections while developing the necessary hard and soft skills required for the field. 

What are Micro-Internships?

Every student deserves an opportunity to explore career options with the freedom of still having the option to choose one that suits them. In fact, many students still don’t have an idea about what they want to do after graduation, and this is where micro-internships make a big difference. 

As The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) states, “Micro-internships can take students through those first steps in their career journey. These short-term work experiences grow skills, build resumes, extend networks and instill confidence.”

Micro-internships are short-term, project-based, and usually paid, allowing people to gain experience and explore different careers. They typically involve assignments similar to those that would be given to standard interns or new hires. Micro-internships really are similar to internships, except, as the name implies, they are a smaller duration. While a traditional internship may be as long as 12 weeks to 12 months, a micro-internship could be just a single project or one that ranges from 5 to 40 hours of assigned work (or, while unusual, possibly last as long as a whole semester). 

A micro-internship is an excellent resource that can be used to aid and assist students before committing to a particular career. These short-term work experiences give students insight by enabling them to take the first steps along their career paths while growing their skills and networks, building their resumes, and instilling confidence. 

Micro-internships are often done remotely, providing more flexibility and opportunities. Additionally, they are often positions that are given a certain amount of autonomy, building confidence and experience, all while earning a little extra income. 

Why Should a Student Apply for a Micro-Internship?

Traditional internships are commonly undertaken during summer or winter cycles. One of the biggest attractions of micro-internships is the flexibility that they offer and more opportunities throughout the year. Since most micro-internships, if not all, are done remotely, students have the freedom to incorporate these internships comfortably into their daily lives. 

These short-term gigs are an ideal way of exploring a particular career opportunity without having to commit to it long term. In addition to this, companies are more than willing to pay interns for their services, so if students are looking for all round gainful ways of making ends meet, this is a perfect opportunity. 

Micro-internships offer students a great platform to showcase their skills, explore a culture fit in a particular organization, and open the doors for landing that ideal, permanent, employment opportunity. 

And if students aren’t ready for a permanent commitment, they still have the added advantage of using the time to collect valuable work experience. 

How Can Micro-Internships Help My Business?

Internships, in general, are an important part of career development. Micro-internships offer mutual benefits for both organizations and students, and we’ve already explored the benefits for students above. 

When it comes to organizations, they likewise get the opportunity to try before they buy. In other words, companies are always looking for talent and this gives them the chance to test that talent before offering a permanent position. 

Both parties can enjoy immediate gratification, where one substantive project gets the attention that it deserves and is completed within the scheduled time. Added to this is the fact that students give companies access to invaluable, high-quality talent, so it ultimately creates a win-win situation for all.

Micro-internships are a creative solution for businesses for the aforementioned reason that it allows companies to try out new talent to see if they would be the right fit for their company. Micro-internships are often project-based, meaning that both parties are given insight into how an intern can develop and use a particular skill set. Given that the majority of micro-internships are remote, they provide companies with a unique opportunity to recruit qualified talent from a larger talent pool, tearing down geographic barriers. This obviously is helpful in providing a larger selection of the more talented interns, but also increases diversity and broadens company culture. 

Micro-internships are a cost-effective, low-risk strategy for companies that eliminate the need for workspace, equipment, and additional extras like employee benefits. Why is this important? It’s simple. Cost-effectiveness creates opportunities, and opportunities for micro-internships are abounding. 

How to Get a Micro-Internship?

There are a number of platforms that students can utilize to search for suitable opportunities. A simple Google search for micro-internships will demonstrate this. Companies such as Parker Dewey, have emerged to connect interns and businesses. The Parker Dewey website states : “Parker Dewey offers the largest network of highly motivated college students and recent graduates who are excited to complete short-term, paid, professional assignments. While executing these Micro-Internships, Career Launchers demonstrate their skills and grit, and exceed expectations as they seek the right full-time role or internship.” 

In addition to this, students may want to consider contacting potential employers directly and letting them know what they can offer. 

The trick to securing micro-internships starts with making yourself marketable and showcasing why you stand out. It is likely that once you’ve secured a micro-internship with a company and successfully completed their project, there will be more offers. 

Conclusion

You can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job. Micro-internships provide an excellent solution to this chicken-egg scenario, providing inexperienced workers with a valuable addition to their resume. 

Micro-internships have provided some extraordinary opportunities for people and companies during the Covid pandemic. Micro-internships are important, with benefits that will help equip students with knowledge and experience to succeed in their career.

Go to the Shamrck Dashboard today for a personalized career plan and access to local opportunities that will help set you on the path for success.