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II Newsletter
Issue #8
In the eighth issue of the Innovation Incubator newsletter, working on a Signature Polytechnic Experience (PolyX) application for Spring 2024? Join the PolyX team virtually to work on your PolyX application before the upcoming April 2nd deadline. We're also excited to offer Micro-Internship Drop-In Hours and Mixers this Spring, providing a platform for direct engagement and learning about integrating micro-internships into curricula for real-world experience. Additionally, our Digital Badging initiative continues to evolve, offering a visual representation of our students' skills and achievements. Faculty and Staff don't miss the opportunity to apply for the PolyX program by April 2, 2024! Don't forget to subscribe to get the latest issues in your inbox!
Read Issue 8

Innovation Incubator's Micro-Internship Program Celebrates First-Year Gains
Cal Poly Pomona’s Micro-Internship program, in its first year, saw a surge in participants and bested its enrollment goal. According to the Micro-Internship team, there has been an increase in student participation and an expansion in corporate partnerships. About 623 students participated in fall 2023 and spring 2024, which is a 160 percent increase from December 2023 to February 2024, according to preliminary data. This surpasses the first year's goal of serving 500 students. Spring 2024 semester is on track to have about 570 student participants, drawing from 30 upper division (junior and senior level) courses. Led by Innovation Incubator, the program offers students invaluable brief work experiences that complement their academic pursuits and part-time jobs. This program also paves the way for a seamless integration of professional experiences and academics, laying down a flexible yet significant route for students to gear up for their careers.

Micro-Internships Highlighted at the 2024 Academic Innovation Winter Institute
The recently held Academic Innovation Winter Institute, organized by the Office of Academic Innovation in partnership with Innovation Incubator centered on the theme of “Exploring Micro-Internships: A Guide to Understanding and Successfully Implementing Short-Term Work Experiences”. A significant highlight of the institute was the focus on micro-internships as short-term, paid work experiences, a program Innovation Incubator is piloting. These internships are designed to provide students with practical, hands-on experiences in their field of study while also compensating them for their work.