Although they aren't new, microinternships have taken off in the past year. Derived from the gig work model, microinternships are project-based and may require anywhere from five to 40 hours of work per week. Even though they tend to not last longer than a few weeks, they can be a great way for college students and young workers to get their feet wet in an industry.

Parker Dewey is an organization that partners with 150 colleges and universities across the United States to connect talent with employers. In essence, participants typically view these opportunities as freelance experiences. However, some of the schools allow students to earn academic credits after completing a certain number of microinternships.

One of the other interesting aspects of this work model is that they enable participants to safely branch outside their primary area of development. "Microinternships are a fantastic way for students to prepare and make themselves more competitive applicants or to try out a new career field that interests them before committing to a full-time internship (or career)," Meredith Daw, executive director of career advancement for the University of Chicago, told eCampus News.

Often, students can participate in microinternships virtually, making them all the more accessible while providing workers with the unique experience of working outside of an office.