5 Steps to Gain Project Experience as a Job Seeker
Project experience can feel tricky to obtain when we aren’t currently working…luckily there are websites out there that offer virtual volunteer projects!
So what exactly is a virtual volunteer project? It is the perfect opportunity to take on practical tasks similar to what you would work on in a “real world” data analytics/ design/ etc team and get a true feel of what it’s like to be an industry professional! Think of it as a more robust “capstone project”.
What are the Benefits of doing a Project?
Great question! Volunteer project experience can help you:
- Gain that “real world” experience hiring managers look for!
- Build confidence in your skillset!
- Add projects to the resume/ build a stronger profile!
- Attract employers/ recruiters to your profile by showing them you have the experience you need
Here’s How to Find/ Complete a Project:
- Browse the list of websites below
- Click on/ check out the website to see the projects they offer and how they work
- Once on the website…..Browse for and apply to projects you are interested in OR wait to get matched on a project (depending on the platform)….Filter/ search projects based on skillset, for ex “Data Analytics, Digital Marketing, SEO, Social Media, etc)
- Make sure to read the details: Keep in mind some projects can be finished in 5 hours, some projects require a 3+ week commitment of a few hours each week!
**After signing up be sure to check back on next steps (some projects you have to wait for your application to be accepted before you begin and for others you can jump right in and get to grinding away on the project!
5. After you complete the project (YAY!) add it to your resume to show off (humble brag) to employers! (Sample on how to add to the resume below)
Websites to Sign up for Projects:
- Virtual Internships- The Forage (formerly Inside Sherpa) (projects are typically a 5 hour commitment & are self paced )
**Filter by “Career Interest” on the Forage website….”Tech” has a lot of great project options!
- Virtual Volunteer projects- CatchaFire (projects are typically 1 week+ commitment)
**Search by typing in skills- for ex…”data” “marketing” OR filter by the Skills drop down!
- Data Science/AI Collaboration Projects Omdena (projects are typically 2 week+ commitment)
- Moving Worlds- Support social impact projects around the world with your skills ( you can filter by skill set)
- DataKind- Volunteer with Mission-driven organizations tackling huge social issues with data
- Software Developer focused Collaboration projects, opportunities for data analyst/ Science work as well- Code for America
- Prentus (***currently paused/ on hold)- Website designed specifically for bootcamp grads to help land roles
- Tech for Campaigns- volunteer to work on projects that are 4–8 weeks
- VolunteerMatch- Connect with Nonprofits
- Solve For Good- Data Science specific projects for social good
- Democracy Lab- Find and volunteer with tech for good companies
Make sure to filter/ search by your skillset on each of the websites to see all available projects relevant to you!
Add the Project to your Linkedin/ Resume
Data Analyst Virtual Internship
General Electric (via The Forage)
April 2021- Present
- Building and maintaining 3+ dashboards on Google Analytics to monitor website KPIs on website traffic, exit pages, bounce rate, and marketing campaign effects
- Reducing budget spending on social media marketing by up to $3,757 by analyzing campaign effectiveness and allocating funds to be spent on more effective advertising channels
- Collaborating with a team of analysts and developers on project implementation and to maintain project deadlines
Check out these Samples of Projects offered! (via the above websites)
The Forage:
Catchafire:
Omdena:
How Do I Know Which Project is Right for me?
- Time commitment Select a project that you can commit to! Tight on time? The projects that take 5 hours to complete total (AKA the Forage) or volunteer projects that are 1–2 weeks in duration are for you! Have lots of time to dive into project work? Then the *project* world is your oyster! Tackle one of the 4+ week commitment projects….keep in mind the longer the project duration, the more this mirrors a “real world project” ie a project that impresses your future employer
- Skillset Find a project that matches your area of expertise- if you are seeking Data roles- then Data research, validation, input, analysis, etc is the right choice for you.
- Tools/ Tech Take a look at the tools being used in the project…..do at least 75% look familiar? Keep in mind we are looking to sharpen/ showcase your current skills/ you want to make sure you are’t stretching yourself too far taking on a project with tools all new to you! Are you a rockstar at SQlL and Excel? Then try to look for projects that utilize those and perhaps incorporate 1–2 tools new to you!
- Area of interest Projects range from technology/ enterprise company focused, to social good, environmental awareness, etc. If you can pick a project that aligns with your interests/ industry you are pursuing, even better!