For many college students, the search for an internship can feel overwhelming. It can be hard for students to even know where to look for internships. Fortunately, Eastern Michigan University recognizes that struggle. EMU's Center for Digital Engagement and SPARK Ann Arbor have partnered to create an internship program that can help all students move forward in their careers — the Digital Summer Clinic.
The Digital Summer Clinic is a paid, 10-week digital marketing summer internship that runs from June to August. It is open to all college students in Southeast Michigan of any major and year. Students who have graduated within 18 months of the internship start date are also eligible to apply. Interns earn at least $18 per hour.
The Digital Summer Clinic places interns with a startup company in the Ann Arbor area, where they may take on a variety of projects and challenges. Previous interns have worked for startups such as MeetYourClass, Tespo, PocketNest, and Genomenon. The specific projects interns take on depend on the company for which they work. However, all have the opportunity to learn and apply valuable digital media skills. Past interns have created Google ads, engaged in email marketing, written blogs and developed social media campaigns.
This internship is a great opportunity for students to gain work experience and develop their professional network. It also allows them to gain credentials and certifications. During the clinic, all students are required to earn a tools certification, such as a certification in Google Analytics or Google Ads. Those are valuable credentials that make students stronger candidates for other internships and jobs after college. Moreover, students who complete the program receive the CDE-SPARK Digital Media Certification.
Previous interns have had great success after college. Some have accepted full-time job offers with the startup companies at which they worked during the clinic. Others have gone on to find jobs at Google, GM's digital agency iProspect, and Ford's digital agency GTB.
To apply for the Digital Summer Clinic, students must first complete an online application at DigitalSummer.clinic. The online application will open during the winter 2025 semester. If they are chosen to move to the next step, candidates will meet with a member of the Digital Summer Clinic team for an interview.
To learn more about the Digital Summer Clinic and network with leaders from Google, Pinterest and the Detroit Pistons, students can attend the upcoming 2024 Digital Marketing Workshop. This event will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 at the EMU Student Center. EMU students may register for only $5, and breakfast and lunch are provided. Students can also visit DigitalSummer.clinic online and email info@digitalsummer.clinic with further questions.
Finding an internship can be challenging, but EMU provides students with an excellent opportunity in the Digital Summer Clinic. It is a chance for students to gain work experience, learn new skills, earn valuable credentials and grow their professional networks.
