Partner Success Stories
See how colleges, universities, nonprofits and state agencies connect students with employers and expand access to paid, real-world experience.
Kansas Board of Regents: A Statewide Program Connecting Kansas Employers With Kansas Students
Kansas wanted to grow its businesses and keep talent in the state. The Kansas Micro-Internship Program, funded by the Kansas Department of Commerce and several foundations, helps Kansas businesses access emerging talent across all of the state's public colleges and universities giving students paid, hands-on experience and exposure to career opportunities across the state.
University of Delaware: Putting Public Service Employers in Front of Undergraduates
UD’s Career Center launched BlueHensWork in early 2022 to introduce undergraduates to public service careers through paid projects with Delaware government agencies and nonprofits. Offered during winter and summer breaks, the program helps students gain valuable experience, explore new career paths, and make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Swarthmore College: Build Student Careers and Alumni Connections Over Winter Break
Swarthmore’s SwatWorks program turns winter break into an opportunity for professional growth and alumni engagement. Through paid Micro-Internships, 358 students gained real-world experience while connecting with 294 alumni and friends of the college, with 100% of students reporting a valuable experience.
Open Avenues Foundation: Opening Hands-On Projects to Students of Every Background
Open Avenues wanted more students to get real-world experience with expert guidance. Its Global Talent Fellows create and coach Micro-Internship projects that are free for partner universities and open to international and undocumented students, and they’ve led more than 350 students since 2019.
John Carroll University: A One-Person Program Gave 53 Students 860 Hours of Paid Experience
John Carroll’s grant-funded Wayfinders Program expands equitable access to professional opportunities for historically excluded students. Through paid projects, 53 students and recent graduates completed 860 hours of work, with 19 projects leading to additional or longer-term opportunities. Due to the program’s success, the foundation renewed funding at more than 50% above the original request.
Hutchinson Community College: A Student Ambassador Tripled Projects For HutchCC Students
HutchCC hired a student ambassador through a Micro-Internship to promote Parker Dewey on campus. Her outreach led to more than 100 new student accounts and tripled the number of Micro-Internships selecting HutchCC students.
Read Hutchinson Community College Story (opens in a new tab)
IBM SkillsBuild: Turning Skills Badges Into Paid, Real-World Projects
IBM wanted to build workforce readiness for people from historically underrepresented backgrounds. Students who earn IBM SkillsBuild badges in AI, cybersecurity or data analytics apply that training to paid projects funded by IBM. One participant, a first-generation veteran, went on to take on new cybersecurity and chatbot work in his full-time IT job.
HubSpot: Funding Student Projects So Its Customers Get On-Demand Support
HubSpot extended its Education Partner Program by funding Micro-Internships for its customers and Solutions Partners, up to $350 per project. Customers get on-demand help, students build in-demand skills through paid work, and Parker Dewey serves as employer of record, so customers take no payroll or contracts.