Micro-internships, meaning short-term work experience lasting anywhere from a few days to a month, take many forms. However, they typically consist of project-based assignments or a program of seminars, workshops, and field excursions.
In other words, a condensed kind of internship offers interns the same career development and industry insight with less time commitment and greater flexibility. They’re also a growing trend in the world of work, proving to be popular among career launchers and employers alike.
In this blog, we’ll run through the many benefits of micro-internships, and answer some FAQs explaining what is a micro-internship and how to apply for a nonprofit internship.
Are Micro-Internships Worth It?
What is micro-internship experience good for? The benefits are largely the same as any other kind of internship experience, only with improved flexibility for interns.
This flexibility is hugely significant. It allows you to build professional experience while maintaining other commitments. Students can complete them during half-term breaks, young professionals can complete them and still have vacation days spare. In other words, they make internships much more accessible and convenient.
As an added bonus, you can find micro-internships abroad in exciting destinations that include a range of adventure and cultural immersion activities. To answer the question, ‘What are micro-internships good for?’ once and for all, here’s our comprehensive list of the top benefits of micro-internship opportunities:
1. Flexibility and Accessibility
What is a micro-internship’s defining characteristics? Flexibility.
With traditional internships, a student’s career development is confined to their summer breaks, and for a young professional, it can come at the cost of their current job. The condensed nature of micro-internships resolves this dilemma. They require much less time, allowing interns to fit them alongside prior commitments.
Moreover, you can find a micro-internship as short as a few days or a longer micro-internship program that allows you to work remotely or on a part-time basis. There is a huge variety in the different kinds of micro-internships, meaning acquiring experience, skills, and industry insight has never been easier.
2. Career Exploration
What are micro-internships? Career development tapas.
In the time it takes to complete a traditional internship, you could do three micro-internships. This means you can test the waters in different industries and roles without committing to a long-term position. This could let you explore career paths you might not otherwise, and perhaps find the niche that truly interests you.
This rapid exposure and the freedom of exploration it allows for is especially valuable early on in your career. It can help make informed career decisions and lead to higher job fulfillment throughout your professional life. So, if you’re a student, the answer to ‘Are micro-internships worth it?’, is a resounding ‘yes’.
3. Development
Some might think that the short duration of a micro-internship program would limit the skill-building potential, but this is not so.
Many micro-internships let you follow small projects from start to completion, gaining all sorts of skills along the way. A marketing intern assists with a marketing campaign, creating blogs, social media posts, and more. An NGO management intern could research and write their own grant proposal.
Even in a day-long micro-internship program, you are sure to be introduced to a new digital tool or software, which you will become familiar with by the end of the day.
4. Industry Insight
What is micro-internship experience or any other internship experience for, if not to see how your chosen field functions behind the scenes? More than a backstage pass, a micro-internship lets you experience a day, a week, or even a month in the life of industry experts.
As well as role-specific knowledge and skills, you’ll gain a greater contextual understanding of your field and the different roles available within it. Again, this is especially valuable for students who can discover the real-world applications of what they’re learning at college.
5. Real-world Experience
Similarly, some would say the professional experience micro-internships offer is limited due to their length. However, a micro-internship program is designed to be condensed, not reduced.
You’ll still be exposed to new roles and projects during a micro-internship and get a feel for the professional landscapes of your chosen field. In some cases, you’ll actually get more diverse exposure with micro-internships.
6. Networking Opportunities
Sometimes the best thing any internship can do for you is provide you with an opportunity to introduce yourself to industry professionals.
This is where micro-internships shine. You can meet an entire organization within a week with micro-internships, meaning you can quickly and easily start engaging and collaborating with experts in your field and start adding them to your contact list. The relationships you build through micro-internships could lead to future collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and potential job offers.
It can also be hugely beneficial to leverage micro-internships on LinkedIn and social media to increase your industry’s visibility after your program.
7. Resume Enhancement
If your CV’s looking a little sparse, you know the answer to the question, ‘Are micro-internships worth it?’. Employers highly value the drive and commitment to your field communicated by micro-internships, meaning they’re a great way to make your CV stand out from the pile.
A micro-internship program is a fantastic way to quickly bulk out your relevant experience in a new industry. This can be an instrumental benefit for students and young professionals trying to break into a new field.
8. Workplace Confidence
What is a micro-internship guaranteed to do for a young career launcher? Boost their confidence.
As you tackle real-world projects, collaborate with industry professionals, and produce tangible results, you’ll gain a stronger sense of the strengths you bring to the table. The confidence to be gained from even brief exposure to certain industry practices or a digital tool can make a huge difference on the first day of work.
If nothing else, micro-internships are a low-risk opportunity to practice professional etiquette and get comfortable in the workplace.
Micro-Internship FAQs
What Types Of Projects Are Typically Offered In Micro-Internships?
What are micro-internships made up of? A range of tasks and responsibilities. Whether it’s conducting market surveys, analyzing data sets, creating marketing materials, or developing software prototypes, micro-internships offer valuable opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in practical settings.
What Skills Can I Gain from Micro-Internships?
Micro-internships offer opportunities to develop a wide range of skills, including communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork. You’ll also gain industry-specific skills relevant to the projects they undertake, enhancing their professional capabilities and employability.
How Long Are Micro-Internships?
Micro-internships can be as long as a few days to a month in duration, but tend to be one or two weeks long. While the exact duration will vary for different micro-internship opportunities, it’s the concise timeframe of a micro-internship program that distinguishes them from traditional internships.
Can Micro-Internships Be Remote?
What is a micro-internship if it is not flexible? Yes, micro-internships can often be completed remotely, allowing participants to work from anywhere with an internet connection.
Remote micro-internships provide valuable opportunities for individuals to gain experience, develop skills, and contribute to projects while maintaining flexibility in their schedules and locations.
How Can I Find Micro-Internships?
Good news! At Roots, we’ve been working on our own range of micro-internship opportunities. What are micro-internships with Roots like?
Currently, we have an exciting opportunity for aspiring conservationists to gain skills, knowledge, and industry exposure in the country leading the planet in sustainability with our Sustainable Development Micro-Internship in Costa Rica. This micro-internship exemplifies the benefits above, offering interns rapid exposure to diverse learning opportunities with a tightly packed two-week program.
Staying first with a research facility at a university, then with a remotely located nature reserve, with visits to other organizations along the way, interns will gain multidisciplinary experience and expansive insight into environmental conservation and sustainable development. Amidst this busy schedule, Roots interns will also enjoy adventure activities like whitewater rafting and nature walks.
How Do I Apply For Micro-Internships?
The application process for micro-internship opportunities is largely the same as traditional internships. After finding a suitable opportunity, You’ll submit your resume and cover letters, and may need to complete additional application steps such as interviews or skills assessments.
Applications tend to be straightforward and have minimal requirements as they are designed for accessibility. For instance, applying for our Sustainable Development Micro-Internship in Costa Rica requires no specific academic requirements or professional experience. Applicants need only fill out a short form detailing their commitment to conservation causes with their resume attached.
Explore Micro-Internships With Roots
Now you can answer the questions: ‘What is a micro-internship?’ and ‘Are micro-internships worth it?’. You know the quickest, most convenient way to explore career paths, gain practical skills, and enhance your resume with micro-internships, meaning you now have no excuse. Start your search today and find a micro-internship program to propel your career forward.
Alternatively, if you’re a nature enthusiast ready to explore career opportunities in conservation with our Sustainable Development Micro-Internship in Costa Rica, you’ll gain invaluable industry insight, make a meaningful impact, and all while exploring the stunning landscapes of Costa Rica. If you’d like to know more, we’d love to hear from you.
Get In Touch With Roots
This blog was written by Tom Rusbridge
