At UNC Charlotte's Career Center, we aim to provide all of our students with the tools and resources needed to meet their career goals. One of the most impactful ways students can prepare for their future is through Experiential Education. Recently, we introduced 4 new programs that aim to provide experience: Gig Training, Community Internships, Virtual Internships, and the Career Pathways Program. These opportunities allow students to engage in work related experiences that help students build their skills, expand their network, and strengthen their professional profile.
Insights from Program Leaders and Participants
The impact of these programs is best told through the voices of those who coordinate them and the students who experience them firsthand.
Gig Training
Who can apply? Undergraduate students.
Timeline: Applications are due early in each semester, with a projected start date 4-5 weeks into the semester. For example, a start date of September 23rd and end date of December 13th.
Compensation: $13 per hour
Types of Opportunities: Students will work on short-term projects such as market research, social media campaigns, product development, etc.
Additional Info: Projects can be in-person, hybrid, or remote, and each project will be tailored to the department’s needs. Gig Trainings may not occur during traditional 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. work hours.
Virtual Internship Program
Who can apply? Juniors and seniors who haven't previously participated in an internship. Students must have 6-10 hours per week to dedicate for 12 weeks.
Timeline: Accepting applications in the fall for the spring cohort.
Compensation: Unpaid, but students will earn 3 credit hours for a required asynchronous course.
Types of Opportunities: Opportunities across various industries, with access to over 13,000 employers.
Additional Info: Internships can be remote and global.
Career Pathways Programs
Who can apply? Federal Work Study students.
Timeline: Applications open the semester prior to the program start date.
Compensation: $10 per hour.
Types of Opportunities: Training and campus projects in hybrid formats.
Additional Info: Program requires 2.5 hours per week with a total of 20 hours.
Community Internship Program
Who can apply? Federal Work Study eligible students who are full-time and in their sophomore, junior, or senior year.
Timeline: Applications open the semester prior to the program start date.
Compensation: Paid based on Federal Work Study funding (up to $2,000).
Types of Opportunities: Internships with community organizations in areas like healthcare, social services, public safety, and more.
Additional Info: Students can only participate in one FWS job per semester. Search “community internships.”
The Gig Training Coordinator, Tyler Calloway, shares this additional nugget:
“[Gig-Training is] the perfect opportunity for students to gain real-world, project-based experiences that ensure they are fully prepared to excel in professional environments upon graduation.”
Whether you’re looking for short-term projects, remote internships, career-focused training, or opportunities to serve the community, there’s a program designed to fit your goals. We encourage you to take advantage of these experiences, connect with employers, and grow your skill set beyond the classroom!