Internship Program

In collaboration with Madison College, the UW-Madison Open Source Program Office (OSPO) has established an internship program for students to participate in open source software projects each semester. During the internship, students will join a mentored open source project or develop a proposal for a self-directed project, participate in an initial training session and weekly check-ins with the Open Source Program Office, and learn crucial skills related to managing open source software projects and growing software user communities.

Eligibility

UW-Madison and Madison College students with applicable backgrounds in any field are eligible to apply.

Timeline and Schedule

Internship work schedules will be established in collaboration with the project mentors, with a general expected commitment of 10-15 hours/week over 20 weeks. In addition to the work schedule established with the project lead, interns will participate in a weekly group session with the OSPO for check-ins, trainings, and guest speakers.

Compensation

Interns will be compensated at a range of $15-$17/hour depending on experience. Interns may apply to continue their appointment beyond the initial internship period as long as they continue to meet the enrollment eligibility requirement.

Skills and Experience

A list of project descriptions will be published with specific desired skills during the application period each semester. In general, we expect applicants to possess:

• Experience balancing multiple tasks, identifying and solving problems, and working collaboratively with team members.
• Strong communication skills and a willingness to ask questions.
• A general familiarity with or interest in software development practices and communities.

Application Requirements

1. Review the list of available projects when applications open.
2. Interns should apply through the UW Student Jobs portal. Applicants who are not currently admitted or enrolled as a UW-Madison Student or without a UW NetID can login as well as create an account.
3. Application materials should include:
   • A one-page cover letter that identifies the project(s) you are interested in and addresses your skills and experiences relevant to those projects and your interest in open source broadly.
   • A resume that includes your name, school email address, phone number, field(s) of study (major, minor, degree, certificate), relevant coursework, extracurricular activities, expected graduation date, and any relevant work or research experience.
   • The names and contact information of three references.
4. Submit a resume, cover letter, and three references as part of your application. Make sure you identify the specific project or projects you are applying to or proposing in your cover letter.

Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to ospo@datascience.wisc.edu. For more information about the OSPO, visit ospo.wisc.edu.