Eastern Michigan University’s Digital Summer Clinic is accepting applicants for 48 paid internships for students and recent graduates with local tech companies through April 30.

The Digital Summer Clinic is an opportunity to gain experience in the digital industry. Students from a broad range of majors are encouraged to apply, including computer science, business, communications, and media arts.

The internship is 10 hours a week for nine weeks from mid-June to mid-August through Ann Arbor SPARK. Interns are paid $17 per hour and may individually dicusss extra-hours opportunities with their companies.

“Ann Arbor SPARK is an economic engine within southeast Michigan,” Jamie Ward, professor of public relations at EMU, said. “They provide financial support for interns taking part in the Digital Summer Clinic to drive innovation and help local startups succeed.”

Teams are established among the 48 interns and assigned to a specific company that needs help with projects.

“Interns work in teams of two with their companies on various projects, ranging from developing websites and apps to content creation, social media, and advertising,” Ward said. “The companies where interns work are clients of Ann Arbor SPARK’s high-tech incubator. These will be projects interns can highlight on their resumes and can allow interns to increase their relevant experience while still a student.”

As COVID-19 cases decrease, the plan is to make the internships follow a hybrid schedule.

“In 2022, we are planning that all internships will follow a hybrid model with most of the work remote and some in-person meetings,” Ward said. “Each company in the clinic has its own method of organizing remote work, but in all cases, it is some version of teleconferencing, calendaring, messaging, and file sharing... We are planning for all mandatory remote group meetings via Zoom video conference with some all-hands meetings live-streamed.”

Interns can expect to work with well-known companies and mentors in the digital industry, including Google, Pinterest, Duo Security, and Zingerman’s.

“Many of our mentors worked their way through school, wondered how to get into professional roles, and ultimately found their way forward,” Bud Gibson, director of EMU Center for Digital Engagement and the Digital Summer Clinic, said. “They are all problem solvers dedicated to helping interns find success.” 

The companies' past interns have worked within a wide variety of career fields.

“Interns have worked with companies involved in digital advertising, public relations, student loan servicing, energy-efficient vehicle routing, healthcare logistics, and AI-based quality control,” Ward said.

Students can gain various benefits from the Digital Summer Clinic to contribute to their resumes, such as receiving the CDE-SPARK Digital Media Certification to indicate they have completed the clinic requirements.

Interns who continue their work in the Ann Arbor-area’s high-tech economy and other regional hotspots like Detroit and Grand Rapids become prime candidates.

“This program is truly one-of-a-kind,” Jorel McCree, program mentor, and partner relationship manager at Pinterest, said. “Interns will meet mentors, peers, and business leaders who they will be able to network with for years to come. In addition, interns grow in confidence, public speaking, and understanding the value/skillset they can offer to an entry-level role, which will help them navigate their career.”

Ward said that candidates who can demonstrate experience of using their digital skills will stand out.

“What will help your application most is to describe experiences in your statement of purpose where you used your digital skills to achieve a result,”  Ward said. “This could be for a club or personal project or on the job.”

Selected applicants will be notified if they have earned an interview with members of the mentor team. 48 interns will be selected for 24 companies and notified. 

Those interested in being a part of the Digital Summer Clinic can apply at DigitalSummer.clinic.

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