Overview
Emerson Collective is a company that invests in entrepreneurs and innovators driven by purpose and a sense of possibility, working to create a world of abundance for future generations.
As with the whole of Emerson Collective, what matters most is that we work with people who are not only the very best at what they do, but also the kindest.
Emerson Collective Internship Program
Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places college-aged students in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our affiliate partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.
Candidates can apply to a maximum of three positions. Any additional applications will not be considered.
The Opportunity
XQ Institute is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life.
We are seeking a Product Design intern, to work within our Products and Tools team, contributing to innovative educational products that transform high schools nationwide. This intern will have the opportunity to engage in the end-to-end design process, from user research and prototyping to UI/UX design and testing. This intern will collaborate with cross-functional teams to help design products that are intuitive, impactful, and aligned with XQ’s mission of reimagining high school education.
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Role and Responsibilities- Assist in creating wireframes, mockups, and prototypes for digital products.
- Participate in user research sessions and translate insights into design improvements.
- Collaborate with engineers, researchers, and other designers to iterate and refine designs.
- Conduct usability testing and gather feedback to enhance user experience.
- Support the design team in maintaining design system standards and consistency.
- Contribute to brainstorming and ideation sessions for new product features.
Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements- Rising undergraduate junior, senior, or recent college graduate majoring in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
- Graduate students in design-related programs are also encouraged to apply.
- Familiarity with design tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to create visually compelling designs.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative mindset.
- Passionate about educational technology and social impact.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
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Location
Emerson Collective is a Bay Area-based organization with offices in Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Washington, D.C. This position is located in Oakland, CA, and is onsite 40 hours/week between June 9th and August 1st, 2025.
Key Dates
November 18 - January 10: Internship applications accepted, and interviews commence on a rolling basis. Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.
January 10 - March 7: Interviews continue, and offers are extended.
June 9: Internship program begins.
August 1: Internship program concludes.
Compensation
All EC Interns are paid $25/hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 9th to August 1st (eight weeks). Interns may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.
This position requires being up to date on COVID vaccination consistent with current CDC guidelines, subject to documented religious and/or medical exemptions.
Building a diverse and inclusive workforce is key to our mission and values as we strive to create systemic change and open possibilities for all of the communities we serve. To that end, we provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
