About the Program
Fall 2024 Program Application is closed.
Gig Training is a short-term project that an organization or internal University department might require assistance with, but there isn’t quite enough work for it to be constituted as a full internship. Gig Trainings are classified as project-based learning experiences that could assist our students with acquiring more marketable skills.
- Projects can range in duration, extending from a brief 10 hours or a few days to as much as six weeks. Although projects can span over a longer period of time, student participation cannot exceed 40 TOTAL hours.
- The students' hourly/weekly commitment is determined by Student Employment and is based on existing on-campus employment and class level.
- All opportunities are for undergraduate students only.
- Projects should provide the student with the opportunity to build career related experience and develop usable skills for the future.
- Projects must be feasible without the need for professional licensure.
- The Career Center will compensate students at a rate of $13 per hour for their participation in this program.
- Due to university policy, short-term projects are not eligible for academic credit.
Real-World Application - Project-Based learning (PBL) allow students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems or scenarios, making learning more meaningful and practical.
Critical Thinking - PBL promotes critical thinking and problem-solving skills as students navigate challenges and make decisions throughout the project.
Collaboration - Students often work in teams during PBL, fostering collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Creativity - PBL encourages creativity and innovation as students devise solutions and approaches to project tasks.
Ownership of Learning - Students take ownership of their learning process in PBL, leading to increased motivation and independence.
Retention of Knowledge - Because PBL is immersive and contextual, students tend to retain information and skills longer, as compared to traditional learning methods.
Preparation for the Future - PBL prepares students for the complexities of the modern workplace.
Fresh Perspectives and Creativity - Students often bring innovative ideas and fresh perspectives to projects. They are less constrained by traditional thinking and can offer creative solutions to problems that might not be apparent to more seasoned employees.
Future Talent Pipeline - Working with students provides employers with an opportunity to assess potential future hires. It allows them to evaluate students' capabilities, work ethic, and compatibility with the organizational culture before making long-term hiring decisions.
Knowledge Transfer - Students often bring up-to-date academic knowledge and research skills that can benefit projects requiring cutting-edge insights. They can also facilitate knowledge transfer from academic institutions to the workplace.
Increased Productivity - Students are often eager to learn and make an impact. Their enthusiasm and motivation can lead to increased productivity and a fresh energy within project teams.
Community Engagement and Reputation - Employers who engage with students often, build positive relationships with academic institutions and the larger community. This involvement can enhance the employer's reputation as an organization that supports education and invests in future talent.
A: Immediately. The Career Center is not currently accepting applications.
A: A member from the Career Center will notify you of the status of your project application (whether approved or denied). Upon approval, your project will be advertised to our students, and the work site will manage the process of reviewing, interviewing, and selecting a student.
Once selected, the student will go through our internal onboarding process. After completing onboarding, formal start and completion dates will be arranged and communicated to both the site and the student.
A: Absolutely, we encourage you to arrange for student meetings/interviews independently. Once you've made your decision, you'll provide the University Career Center with your selection. If you would like to reserve space within the University Career Center to conduct interviews, we will be able to assist with that as well.
A: Placements are projected to begin on Monday, September 23 and all hours are expected to be completed by Friday, December 13.
A: Leave this part to us! Your student will complete the student employment onboarding process, which will provide them access to our online time entry system and be advised of how many hours they are permitted to work each week. The student will be responsible for logging their hours each day/week and will be paid on the same schedule as any University employee would be, which is twice monthly.
A: Yes, Gig positions can require an in-person presence, be hybrid, or fully remote.
A: Projects that provide an “answer” for an existing or projected business need:
- Market Research Report: Conduct research on a specific industry or market segment. Gather data on market size, trends, competitors, and customer preferences. Prepare a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations.
- Social Media Marketing Campaign: Develop a social media strategy for a business. Create content calendars, design posts, and schedule them for publication. Monitor engagement metrics and provide an analysis of campaign effectiveness.
- Business Process Optimization: Identify inefficiencies in a business process. Examples include inventory management and customer service workflow. Propose improvements, implement changes where feasible, and document the impact on efficiency.
- Website Development or Redesign: Design and build a website for a small business or improve an existing website. Focus on user experience, SEO optimization, and mobile responsiveness.
- Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Analyze financial statements like balance sheets or income statements. Create financial models to forecast future performance based on different scenarios. Provide insights and recommendations.
- Product Development or Innovation: Research and develop a new product idea or improve an existing product. Create prototypes, conduct market testing, and outline a go-to-market strategy.
- Customer Satisfaction Survey and Analysis: Design and conduct a survey to assess customer satisfaction and loyalty. Analyze survey results, identify key drivers of satisfaction, and recommend actionable improvements.
- Event Planning and Management: Plan and organize a business event or workshop. Coordinate logistics, manage invitations, and oversee on-site execution. Evaluate event success and gather feedback from participants.
- Content Creation for Marketing: Develop marketing materials such as blog posts, case studies, or promotional videos. Focus on storytelling and align content with business objectives and target audience.
- Business Plan Development: Create a comprehensive business plan for a startup idea or an existing small business. Include sections on market analysis, strategy, financial projections, and risk management.