Work at Spark!

BU Spark! offers a limited number of paid opportunities each semester so you can work while you earn your degree. Opportunities are offered on a semester-long basis and may be extended for the full academic year.

*** Please note that the types and number of employment opportunities available will vary. This page does NOT indicate which positions are currently accepting applications. 

Questions about employment? Read our FAQs and about our hiring timeline.

Spark! Summer Employment Opportunities

Impact Technology Fellowship – Summer 2025

• The Impact Technology Fellowship is a full time (40 hr/wk) program for undergraduate students who are interested in civic technology. The program will run May 19^th-June 27^th , in person, at BU Spark!.
  • This is an in-person program, and attendance for the full 6 weeks is required
• In this program, BU students will work alongside students from other universities on Public Interest Technology (PIT) projects for real clients. Fellows will also participate in workshops designed to build professional and critical thinking skills.
• This opportunity is only available for undergraduate students who will be registered as a BU student in Fall 2025.
• The stipend will be $4,800 (40 hrs/wk at $20/hr for 6 weeks)
• Anticipated number of openings: 8-10
• Before applying, please review the program information page here: https://pitne.org/impact-tech-fellowship/
• Click here to apply: 2025 Impact Technology Fellowship Application
  • All application materials are due on March 12th.
  • Decisions will be communicated by April 18th.

Spark! Summer 2025 Internship

• Spark! is looking to hire a handful of student interns (undergraduate or graduate) to work on projects for community partners. These projects may be new or continuing (from a previous internship or class).
• The Spark! summer internship will run May 19^th– June 27^th,  and students may be hired to work anywhere from 10-40 hours per week depending on the student and role . There is a strong preference for students who can commit to in-person work Monday-Thursday.
• This opportunity is only available for students who will be registered as a BU student in Summer 2025 and/or Fall 2025 (If you graduate in May 2025, you are not eligible to be hired for this internship)
• The number and types of open spots will directly depend on the number of projects and project requirements (skills needed). Applications are open for every type of role, but depending on the projects selected, only some roles may be needed.
  • Anticipated number of openings: 8-10
  • Current openings include Project Managers, Software Engineer Interns, Machine Learning Interns, Data Science Interns, and UX Design Interns. To learn more about these roles, including pay rates, please see below under Spark! Fall/Spring Employment Opportunities.
• Apply here: https://airtable.com/appmNVchy3yVV1ZLx/shrB6ZtT6jDYGFhRk
  • Note you must submit a separate application for each type of role.
  • Applications will be reviewed as they come in, so please don’t wait to apply.
  • All applicants will be contacted by April 18th with an update on their status.

Center on Media Innovation for Social Impact: Project Manager

The Center on Media Innovation for Social Impact (MISI) is a new center in the College of Communication that seeks to understand and shape how media construct truth and support democracy.

In consultation with MISI fellows and Computing and Data Sciences (CDS) faculty via BU Spark!, the Project Manager will assist two interdisciplinary teams to complete groundbreaking civic science research projects that advance MISI’s mission of social impact. You will attend meetings with your teams and MISI staff, provide production and organizational capacity, and help your teams to meet their goals. This role will require roughly 40 hours per week of commitment in the summer, and 20 hours per week in the fall and spring.

This is a unique opportunity to develop your project management and communication skills while working to promote effective, trustworthy methods of communication that make an impact.

• Learn more and apply HERE

Spark! Fall/Spring Job Descriptions 

*** Please note that the types and number of employment opportunities available will vary. Read below for general information about roles that are typically open each semester. 

Communications Intern 

Pay and hours: $18-20/hr commensurate with experience, up to 15 hours a week*

Primarily reporting to the Outreach & Community Manager, the Marketing and Communications Intern manages Spark!’s online presence. This position will oversee all of Spark! social media channels and serve as the lead writer for the Spark! newsletter. As live programming efforts are a focal point for Spark!, the Marketing and Communications Intern will be on-site for events as needed, providing live event coverage and capturing photos and videos for use on social media. Additionally, this role will be expected to collaborate with the Communications & Community Manager on outreach efforts. 

Before applying, read the full job description here.

Spark! Ambassador 

Pay and hours: $18/hr, 3-10 hours a week*

Spark! Ambassadors manage activities and events connected to the Spark! Space, and work to build an inclusive, vibrant, and enriching community for students interested in computing, data science, engineering, and related disciplines. You will attend meetings with your team and Spark! staff, and provide supportive feedback.

• Community: Organize social events and activities aimed at connecting students, and promoting wellness and community.
• Learning: Recruit speakers and set topics for Spark! TechTalks, organize MicroChallenges, and support with career development initiatives.
• Hackathon: Organize hackathons throughout the school year and support students at all levels of computing and data science.
• Ignite: Support tech-focused clubs through promotion, training, recruitment, and more.
• JEDI: Support Spark!’s efforts to advance justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the DEI in Tech Collective, DEI training, and the DEI in Tech course.

Technical Intern (Data Science, Machine Learning, or Software Engineering)

Pay and hours: $20/hr, 10-12 hours a week*

Technical Interns work on the data science, machine learning, or software engineering components of real-world technical projects for an external partner. You will attend weekly meetings with your team and Spark! staff, and provide supportive feedback. You should be proficient in a major programming language (e.g. Python, JavaScript, C++, etc.).

UX Design & Research Intern

Pay and hours: $18/hr, 5-10 hours a week*

UX Design & Research Interns work on the user experience component of a real-world technical project for an external partner. You will attend weekly meetings with your team and Spark! staff, and provide supportive feedback. You should be competent in graphic design principles and proficient in a majority of design software programs (e.g. Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, etc.). We accept a very limited number of UX interns each semester and priority is given to students who have taken DS280 and DS488 or XC475.

Project Manager

Pay and hours: $20/hr, 12 hours a week*

Project Managers oversee a portfolio of projects, proactively managing partners to ensure client satisfaction with a student team’s work. You will attend weekly meetings with your team and Spark! staff, provide supportive feedback, collect and organize the project’s work, and prepare for the following semester.

Technical Project Manager (Technical Engineer)

Pay and hours: $20/hr, 10-12 hours a week*

Technical Project Managers oversee the technical components of a portfolio of projects, proactively ensuring client satisfaction with a student team’s technical work. You will attend weekly meetings with your team and Spark! staff, provide supportive feedback, collect and organize the project’s work, and prepare for the following semester.

*Estimated; upon hiring, your contract will reflect exact pay and hours.