Micro-internship

A micro-internship or freelance internship is a short-term, paid, professional assignment that is similar to those given to new hires or interns. These roles have surged in popularity as the traditional employment landscape evolves in the face of digital innovation, changing work preferences, and global challenges.[1][2]

Background and definition

Micro-internships are typically project-based roles that last anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. They can span across all departments and functions, from IT and marketing to research and sales. These roles often emerge through digital platforms that connect employers with potential interns, making the matching process more efficient.[3][4]

Historical context

The concept of micro-internships was first introduced in 2014 by Parker Dewey, a platform that connects students and recent graduates with companies for short-term, paid projects. Micro-internships were initially designed to be a way for students to gain real-world work experience and explore different career paths without having to commit to a traditional internship.

Micro-internships quickly gained popularity among both students and employers. For students, micro-internships were a great way to get their foot in the door at companies they were interested in and to learn new skills. For employers, micro-internships were a cost-effective way to get projects done and to identify potential full-time employees.

Today, micro-internships are offered by companies of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies. Micro-internships can be found in a variety of fields, including marketing, sales, engineering, design, and more.

Here is a brief timeline of the history of micro-internships:

  • 2014: Parker Dewey launches the first micro-internship platform.
  • 2015: Micro-internships begin to gain popularity among students and employers.
  • 2016: More companies begin to offer micro-internships, and the number of micro-internships posted online increases significantly.
  • 2017: Micro-internships are featured in major news publications, such as The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.
  • 2018: Micro-internships become a mainstream way for students to gain work experience and for companies to find talent.
  • 2019: Micro-internships continue to grow in popularity, and new platforms emerge to help students and employers connect with each other.
  • 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic leads to a surge in demand for micro-internships, as companies look for ways to get work done remotely.
  • 2021 and beyond: Micro-internships continue to be a popular way for students and employers to connect.

The emergence of micro-internships is a sign of the changing nature of work. In the past, internships were typically long-term commitments, and employers were looking for candidates with specific skills and experience. However, the rise of the gig economy and the increasing demand for flexible work arrangements is changing the way that people work. Micro-internships are a reflection of this trend, as they offer students and employers a way to connect and collaborate on a short-term basis.

Some experts believe that micro-internships are the future of work. They argue that micro-internships allow companies to tap into a wider pool of talent and to get projects done more quickly and efficiently.

It remains to be seen whether micro-internships will become the norm, but they are certainly a growing trend. As the workforce continues to evolve, it is likely that micro-internships will play an increasingly important role in the way that people work.

See also

References
  1. Blumenstyk, Goldie (2019). "How 'Micro-Internships' Could Make All Types of Students More Employable". chronicle.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. Wingard, Dr Jason. "Why Micro-Internships Will Be the Next Big Thing". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-09-09.
  3. Reisman, Lisa (2023). "'The missing link': Micro internships gives high schoolers wide range of front-line work experience". ctinsider.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  4. Hall, Margeret; Friend, Michelle; Krause, Markus (2018), Antona, Margherita; Stephanidis, Constantine (eds.), "Micro-internships on the Margins", Universal Access in Human-Computer Interaction. Virtual, Augmented, and Intelligent Environments, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Cham: Springer International Publishing, vol. 10908, pp. 486–495, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-92052-8_38, ISBN 978-3-319-92051-1, retrieved 2023-09-09
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.