Redefining Summer Internships: A Look at a Denison University Parker Dewey Micro-Internship

For many college and university students, summer internships mean months-long commitments, but that’s starting to change. Through micro-internships, short, focused projects that offer real-world experience without the full-time requirement, students can build skills, explore industries, and make meaningful contributions from wherever they are. This summer, the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration at Denison University funded a limited number of micro internships for rising sophomores. Through the Parker Dewey platform, Denison invited organizations to offer short-term projects that give students valuable, real-world experience. OFIC is excited to be one of the participating organizations in this program.

What Are Parker Dewey Micro Internships?

Parker Dewey micro-internships are short-term, paid projects designed to provide students with hands-on work experience while allowing employers to access fresh talent for specific needs. These micro-internships usually last a few weeks and focus on clearly defined tasks or projects. They’re a flexible way for students to explore careers and build skills early in their college journey.

Gaining Real-World Experience: Will’s Micro-Internship Journey with OFIC

Will, a rising sophomore at Denison majoring in data analytics and minoring in finance, is currently working on a micro-internship for OFIC. His project involves analyzing nearly 300 donor organizations to identify which offer internship programs and updating that information in our CRM system. This experience gives Will a behind-the-scenes look at how a nonprofit fundraising organization operates, plus practical skills working with data and CRM software.

Alongside his remote micro internship with OFIC, Will is spending the summer on campus and also working a full-time, in-person internship at True Core Credit Union. We’re impressed by his dedication and glad to be part of his career development.

Later this summer, OFIC will be posting a Talent internship opportunity on Handshake. We look forward to connecting with more students eager to grow their skills and explore career paths.