We recently connected with Maja McCabe to ask about her experience working on Micro-Internships via Parker Dewey. Maja shares more about how she used the platform to find short-term professionals opportunities, and the skills she developed that helped her land a full-time position.
Tell us about yourself:
I graduated from Connecticut College in May 2020 with a double major in International Relations and French, a minor in Architectural Studies, and a Pathway in Entrepreneurship. After graduation, I completed the Tuck Business Bridge Program, Dartmouth’s mini-MBA program for liberal arts students. After the program, I completed two Parker Dewey Micro-Internships as I explored career opportunities and began my job search. Today, I am a Public Relations Apprentice at Prosek Partners, a financial communications firm based in NYC.
How did you hear about Parker Dewey?
I heard about Parker Dewey through Connecticut College’s career center.
Why did you apply for a Micro-Internship opportunity?
I had recently completed Dartmouth’s Bridge program and was searching for a full-time job when I decided to apply for a Micro-Internship opportunity through Parker Dewey. Parker Dewey had been on my radar for several years, but I never had the time in my schedule to pursue an internship opportunity. I had heard positive feedback about the program and wanted to explore it myself. Parker Dewey promoted a broad range of opportunities on its website and I was able to identify several short-term opportunities that suited my skill set and were in my desired industry (or close!). Parker Dewey provided an opportunity to explore career areas of interest that I hadn’t yet had the chance to pursue.
I researched the opportunities and saw several that would allow me to stay active and engaged while exploring new topics and continuing my job search. Parker Dewey also helped me gain a better understanding of just how broad the career possibilities are.
What types of projects have you completed?
I completed two Micro-Internship projects this fall. The first was focused on a large technology company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. I was responsible for taking notes on pre-recorded calls where employees discussed recruitment and retention related to the company’s D&I efforts across various global regions. I then took my findings and created a few PowerPoint slides that the client could present to their colleagues.
My second project was as a marketing and events intern with The Washington Center. During that experience, I helped manage event planning and provided overall project support. I wrote content for the website, used Salesforce to track and manage student applications, and conducted audits to improve website performance.
How have your Micro-Internship experiences made an impact on your career plans? What did you learn about yourself by completing these projects?
My Micro-Internships gave me the opportunity to develop skills in multiple areas. The two Micro-Internships overlapped for a short period of time, which gave me the opportunity to effectively tackle multiple projects at one time and learn good time management skills. I also was able to do some writing, which is a valuable skill in nearly every career.
What advice would you share to prospective Micro-Interns?
Look at each Micro-Internship as an opportunity to explore a career you’re interested in while developing valuable skills and meeting new people. Parker Dewey lists a variety of opportunities across multiple industries. I ended up doing two projects that were not directly related to the industry I hoped to enter, yet I was able to pick up skills that have been extremely valuable in my current position.
What advice would you share with companies who are considering offering Micro-Internships?
Micro-Internships are beneficial to both the company and the intern. Companies can think of Micro-Internships as an opportunity to test, train and recruit potential new employees. Micro-Internships are also great for companies that need quick, short-term assistance on projects.