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Global Innovation and Design Lab Internship
A paid, multi-quarter internship to build design thinking skills, gain professional experience, and earn a microcredential through hands-on innovation work.
Internship Overview
The Global Innovation and Design (GID) Lab Internship is an experiential learning opportunity open to UWT undergraduate students with Junior or Senior standing. Interns may choose either a 2-quarter (Fall and Winter) or 3-quarter (Fall, Winter, and Spring) appointment, during which they will work an average of 10 hours a week with the IIGE. Interns earn a $750 stipend for each quarter and have the option to earn 2 credits of internship / independent study. Interns can also earn a microcredential by successfully completing all requirements, which comes with a Design Thinking Applied Project Digital Badge.
Benefits
- Have a chance to grow skills in the following: photography, event coordination, professional writing, design thinking, notetaking, social media management, project management
- Be a part of a cohort with 2–3 other interns
- Earn academic credit and/or a microcredential that issues a Design Thinking Applied Project badge (upon successful completion)
- Receive a $750 quarterly stipend
Work
Interns are expected to work ten hours per week, which may include a mix of in-person and independent work.
Duties vary with IIGE needs and client projects, but, in general, students may expect to:
- Participate in Intern cohort meetings for design thinking training, event planning, and discussion
- Assist with events, workshops, and design sprints
- Design and execute a design thinking project or peer workshop
- Provide hospitality at and help maintain the GID Lab space in Milgard Hall
- Serve as ambassadors for the GID Lab and the IIGE, promoting benefits and recruiting students for events
Process and Length
- 2025-26 Application Deadline: September 1
- Applications will be reviewed by an IIGE committee constituted of faculty and/or staff
- Top candidates moving to the interview round will be notified no later than September 5
- Interviews will be conducted over Zoom over the next two weeks
- Final decisions will be sent out no later than the week before the Fall quarter starts
- In 2025, all Interns will start in Fall quarter.
Flexible Options
When it comes to recognizing their achievements, GID Lab Interns can choose to pursue academic credit, a non-credit microcredential, or both!
The core expectations of all Interns (regardless of which path they choose) are to
- Complete weekly work logs
- Provide consistent and high-quality support to design thinking- and innovation-related events, like design thinking sprints and IIGE Signature Events
- Contribute inclusively and professionally to a design thinking team
- Complete an individual or collaborative project applying the design thinking process and design justice principles
- Create high-quality written and visual pieces
Academic Credit Option and Requirements
Interns may choose to take 2 credits of internship / independent study per quarter (usually TGH 491). To earn academic credit, Interns must complete all the core expectations of the internship and
- Complete a 10-page reflection essay on the internship experience, including photos and other documentation of work completed
Microcredential Requirements
To successfully complete the microcredential and earn a Design Thinking Applied Project Digital Badge, Interns must complete all the core expectations of the internship and
- Complete a short reflection paper or presentation slide on their internship experience, projects undertaken, and lessons learned
- Present a poster on a project from the internship at IIGE'S annual Global Engagement Conference (GEC)
My experience at the GID Lab Internship was great - it was a productive and friendly environment where I could develop my design-thinking and professional skills with the support of awesome peers and mentors. We had opportunities to explore projects that benefited students and the GID Lab's community partners, and it felt really gratifying to be supporting the community that way!
Spring 2024, Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Intern
The GID Lab Internship is open to all UW Tacoma junior and senior undergraduate students.
September 1, 2025
See "Process and Length" above.
- Motivation & Goals – A clear explanation of why you want to intern with the GID Lab and how it connects to your future goals.
- Relevant Experience – Past work, volunteer, class projects, or community engagement that show your readiness for the role.
- Communication & Adaptability – Ability to express ideas clearly, take feedback well, and engage constructively.
- Professionalism – Confidence, maturity, and the ability to manage responsibilities independently and meet deadlines.
- Collaboration – Experience working effectively in teams through coursework, jobs, or volunteer work.
No. While some work can be completed off-campus and independently, the majority of an Intern's work is in person at the GID Lab.
