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. Positions are posted as needed, and applications for open positions are reviewed on a rolling basis.

NOTE: Applications are not being accepted through the buspark.app portal this year. Click “Apply now” to use the single application form and indicate the role you are applying for. (To apply for more than one role, you must fill out the form again.)

In order to be considered for select Fall 2024 paid opportunities, you must submit your application by August 4th. Applications received after August 4th may not be considered, depending on available spots remaining. 

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

Spark! Employment Opportunities

Communications Intern

Pay and hours: $18-20/hr commensurate with experience, up to 20 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 Outreach & Community Manager on outreach efforts. 

Before applying, read the full job description here.

Start date as soon as possible

Spark! Ambassador [Closed for Fall 2024]

Pay and hours: $18/hr, 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.

Applications CLOSED for Fall 2024

Technical Intern (Data Science, Machine Learning, or Software Engineering) [Applications must be received by August 4th to be considered for Fall 2024]

Pay and hours: $20/hr, 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.).

Openings Fall 2024 Semesters – Applications will be reviewed in August

UX Design & Research Intern [Applications must be received by August 4th to be considered for Fall 2024]

Pay and hours: $18/hr, 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.

Openings for Fall 2024 Semesters – Applications will be reviewed in August

Project Manager [Applications must be received by August 4th to be considered for Fall 2024]

Pay and hours: $4,000 semester stipend, 15 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.

Openings for Fall 2024 Semesters – Applications will be reviewed in August

Technical Project Manager (Technical Engineer) [Applications must be received by August 4th to be considered for Fall 2024]

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.

Openings for Fall 2024 Semester – Applications will be reviewed in August

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