UConn Hartford Micro-Internship Program

Short-term, paid, project-based internships that build career skills and strengthen Hartford. 

Delivered in partnership with the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the RISE Program (Reflect, Inspire, Succeed, Empower).  

Made possible through UConn alumni investment in the Hartford campus mission and student success. 

Program Snapshot 

• Paid, short-term experience: 5 weeks 
• Total hours: Approximately 60 hours 
• Stipend: $1,100  
• Format: In-person, project-based work with cohort support 
• Who it’s for: Primarily UConn Hartford undergraduates, with a focus on first- and second-year students 

About the Program 

The UConn Hartford Micro-Internship Program is a structured, short-term experiential learning initiative designed to enhance career readiness and professional skill development for undergraduate students through paid, project-based internships. 

The program is co-facilitated by the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the RISE Program, combining career development expertise with wraparound student success support. Together, these units coordinate student recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and ongoing support to ensure that micro-internships are accessible, supportive, and developmentally meaningful. 

Initially piloted in Summer 2024 with campus-based projects, the program is expanding to include Hartford-based nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and municipal partners, strengthening connections between UConn Hartford students and the local community. 

The Micro-Internship Program is made possible through generous UConn alumni investment and philanthropic support aligned with the Hartford campus mission. Alumni contributions help fund paid internships, professional development programming, and program operations, reducing financial barriers and expanding access to high-impact experiential learning. 

How UConn Hartford Micro-Internships Work 

Micro-internships are designed to be: 

• Project-based: A clearly defined project with specific deliverables 
• Time-limited: Approximately 60 total hours over a short period 
• Supported: Students receive onboarding, supervision, and structured reflection 
• Career-focused: Weekly professional development sessions help students translate experience into next steps 

Students typically spend: 

• Time working directly with their project supervisor or site 
• Time participating in weekly cohort-based professional development sessions 

For Students

Why Participate in a Micro-Internship? 

Micro-internships are designed as a stepping-stone opportunity, especially for students who may not yet have prior internship experience or who need flexible, short-term options. 

Students will: 

• Gain hands-on experience to include on resumes and LinkedIn 
• Build confidence in professional environments 
• Develop transferable career-ready skills 
• Receive guidance and reflection support throughout the experience 

What You’ll Do 

• Complete a project for a campus or community-based host site 
• Participate in onboarding and orientation 
• Attend weekly professional development and reflection sessions 
• Track hours and progress with program support 
• Share learning outcomes at the conclusion of the program 

Professional Development & Support 

Students receive coordinated support from Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the RISE Program, including: 

• Career readiness workshops 
• Ongoing check-ins and accountability 
• Support balancing academics, work, and internship responsibilities 
• Access to campus resources that promote persistence and success 

Eligibility 

Micro-internships are primarily open to UConn Hartford undergraduate students, with priority often given to first-generation, commuter, and early-career students, depending on the cohort and funding source. 

How to Apply 

1. Review available micro-internship opportunities (via 12Twenty) 
2. Submit application materials by the posted deadline 
3. Complete onboarding steps if selected 

Student FAQ 

Is this paid? 
Yes. Micro-internships are paid through alumni and philanthropic support. 

How many hours is the commitment? 
Most micro-internships are structured as approximately 60 total hours. 

Is there a course requirement? 
Some cohorts may require enrollment in a zero-credit internship course tied to program completion requirements. 

For Community Partners 

Host a Micro-Internship Project 

UConn Hartford welcomes Hartford-based nonprofits, small businesses, and municipal organizations to host students for short-term, project-based micro-internships. 

This model is ideal for organizations that have meaningful projects but limited staff capacity. 

What Makes a Strong Project? 

Successful micro-internship projects are: 

• Clearly scoped with defined deliverables 
• Appropriate for completion within 60 hours 
• Supervised by a consistent point of contact 
• Designed to support student learning and skill development 

What Hosts Provide 

• A project supervisor with brief weekly check-ins 
• Clear expectations and project goals 
• Access to information or tools needed to complete the work 

What UConn Provides 

Through the partnership between the UConn Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills and the RISE Program, UConn Hartford provides: 

• Student recruitment and application coordination 
• Intern onboarding and orientation 
• Weekly professional development and reflection sessions 
• Ongoing student support and program oversight 

This shared model allows partners to focus on mentoring and project guidance, while UConn manages program structure and student support. 

Our Campus Partners 

Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills
The Career Center leads the design and implementation of the Micro-Internship Program, including partner engagement, project development, professional development programming, and career readiness coaching. The Center ensures that students build transferable skills aligned with workforce readiness and post-graduate success. 

RISE Program (Reflect, Inspire, Succeed, Empower)
The RISE Program is a key contributing partner in facilitating the Micro-Internship Program. RISE plays a critical role in student outreach, engagement, and holistic support, helping students navigate program expectations, persist through experiential learning, and translate their experiences into long-term academic and career momentum. 

Program Support & Philanthropy 

The UConn Hartford Micro-Internship Program is supported through UConn alumni giving and philanthropic investment dedicated to advancing the Hartford campus mission and student success. 

Alumni support allows the program to: 

• Offer paid experiential learning opportunities 
• Reduce financial barriers to participation 
• Expand partnerships with Hartford-based organizations 
• Sustain professional development, coordination, and assessment 

This collective investment reflects a shared commitment to equity, access, and economic mobility for UConn Hartford students. 

Sample Program Timeline 

(Dates vary by cycle) 

• Project submissions and outreach: Early spring 
• Student applications: Mid to late spring 
• Offers and onboarding: Late spring 
• Internship period: Late May through June or July 
• Final reflections and presentations: End of program cycle 

Contact 

Micro-Internship Program 
Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills 
In partnership with the RISE Program 
UConn Hartford