St. Thomas is offering a platform that seeks to connect students with exciting opportunities offered by alumni and organizations. The Project Poster offers the project and selects applicants in line with its own criteria. It is up to Project Posters and selected students to define the expectations that will apply to their relationship. St. Thomas advertises opportunities but is not involved in applicant selection and has no role in the relationship between Project Posters and applicants/students. It does not endorse any project, Project Poster, or applicant. Participants should evaluate opportunities according to their own independent judgment.

“Projects” is a program that allows alumni to support University of St. Thomas students by providing them with short-term, real-world professional experiences.

Unlike traditional internships, “Projects” focuses on a specific, defined task rather than a set number of hours. This allows for flexibility and targeted skill development.

Projects vary across industries and disciplines, reflecting the diverse expertise of our alumni network. Examples might include market research, data analysis, content creation, or design projects.

The time commitment will vary depending on the project, but each Project typically takes between 5 and 40 hours to complete. Each project listing will provide an estimated time frame.

1. Access St. Thomas Connect:

• Go to the St. Thomas Connect platform.
• Log in using your St. Thomas credentials.

2. Navigate to the “Projects” Section:

• Once you’re logged in, look for a section or feature specifically dedicated to “Projects.”
• If you’re having trouble finding it, use the search bar within St. Thomas Connect and search for “Projects”

3. Browse Available Projects:

• You’ll see a list of available projects posted by alumni. Take your time to review the project descriptions carefully.
• For each project, pay close attention to:
  • Project Description: What is the specific assignment or task?
  • Skills Required: What skills or knowledge are needed to complete the project?
  • Time Commitment: How much time will the project take to complete?
  • Compensation: Is the project paid or unpaid?
  • Alumni Mentor: Who is the alumnus/alumna overseeing the project? (Check their profile to learn about their background.)
  • Application Deadline: When is the deadline to submit your application?

4. Select a Project and Review Requirements:

• Choose a project that aligns with your interests, skills, and career goals.
• Before you begin your application, carefully review all the requirements and instructions provided in the project description.

5. Prepare Your Application Materials:

• Each project may have specific application requirements, but common materials include:
  • Resume: Ensure your resume is up-to-date and tailored to highlight the skills and experiences relevant to the project.
  • Cover Letter/Personal Statement: Write a compelling cover letter or personal statement explaining why you’re interested in the project, how your skills and experience make you a good fit, and what you hope to gain from the experience.
  • Work Samples (If Required): If the project requires specific skills (e.g., writing, design), you may need to submit work samples.

6. Submit Your Application:

• Within the St. Thomas Connect platform, locate the application form for the project you’ve selected.
• Fill out the application form carefully and upload your prepared application materials.
• Proofread everything before submitting to ensure there are no errors.
• Click the “Submit” button to send your application.

7. Follow Up (Optional):

• If the project description indicates that follow-up is appropriate, you may send a brief, polite email to the alumni mentor after the application deadline to express your continued interest.

8. Check Your Application Status:

• Keep an eye on your St. Thomas Connect account for updates on your application status. You may receive notifications via email as well.

Important Tips for a Strong Application:

• Tailor Your Application: Don’t send a generic application. Customize your resume and cover letter to each specific project, emphasizing the skills and experiences that are most relevant.
• Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly demonstrate how your skills and knowledge align with the project requirements.
• Show Your Enthusiasm: Express your genuine interest in the project and the opportunity to learn from the alumni mentor.
• Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application materials are free of any grammatical errors or typos.

Projects can be either paid or unpaid. The Project Poster will determine the compensation and share that information via the Project posting on St. Thomas Connect.

We encourage paid Projects, if possible. The recommended rate is $15/hour or $600 total for a 40-hour Project. All compensation will be handled between the Project Poster and Recipient directly. The University of St. Thomas does not facilitate this. 

If offering a paid Project is a barrier to hosting an experience, please proceed with posting an unpaid Project as our central goal is to create opportunities for students to gain new skills, explore different industries, and make career connections. The condensed timeframe and added flexibility of a Project may limit some of the financial barriers that would otherwise get in the way of students pursuing a more traditional unpaid internship.

International students are encouraged to connect with the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) before applying for Projects to ensure they can receive authorization for the type of work they are seeking.

For unpaid projects, international students do not need work authorization. However, when international students are engaging in completely unpaid/volunteer work, they should be careful not to receive any form of rewards. OISS recommends students to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) if participating in an unpaid or volunteer opportunity are related to their major so that they have the safety guard. But they are not required to have a CPT. 

For paid projects, international students must have work authorization, and the project must be related to their major.

• If they are current students, they need CPT. There are challenges with CPT: It is tied to a specific job and an offer is required before the student can apply for CPT.
• If they’ve graduated, they need Optional Practical Training (OPT). Many already have this authorization, and it is not tied to a specific job. F-1 students who already have OPT authorization can apply for work opportunities with Projects that are related to their major. F-1 students who don’t have OPT and J-1 students who need Academic Training authorization need to discuss their options with an OISS adviser before applying to any Projects. 

In some cases, a Project Poster may ask a student to sign an agreement relating to a project. For instance, if the Project Poster intends to retain ownership of intellectual property or expects confidentiality, the Project Poster and student are encouraged to consider entering into appropriate agreements before commencing a project. The University is not involved in the decision to enter an agreement, does not offer legal advice, and does not participate in the review, advising, negotiation, or drafting of such agreements. Students should carefully review such agreements before signing and are encouraged to contact their own attorney if they have any questions about their rights.

Most projects are intended to be independent contractor assignments as opposed to employment relationships. It is up to the Project Poster and selected student to define their relationship and comply with any resulting legal obligations. St. Thomas is not involved in defining or managing the relationship.