Volunteer and Intern Opportunities
Fortunately—yes, fortunately—not everyone is a software developer. Open source projects and the communities that support them need many types of development: business development; community development; financial development; organizational development, and more. The OSI, as a community of practice, also benefits from such development activities and seeks your help.
The OSI seeks interested individuals and groups to support our daily operations and long term strategic efforts. Those interested may work remotely, coordinating with the OSI though various communications (email, IM, IRC, etc.) and collaboration platforms (wiki, discussion forums, etc.), or work with others in a shared location at the Maple Hill Operations Center in Albany, New York.
How can volunteers work for the OSI?
Individuals...
If you or your organization are interested in contributing to the success of open source, please contact the OSI and describe your interests.
Professional & Peer Communities...
Are you the member of a like-minded community and believe partnering with the OSI might provide opportunities for shared development, let us know.
Businesses...
Does you company support or succeed from open source software and you'd like to give back through professional services? We'd love to hear more.
Current Opportunities..
- Collab-inator (internship)
- Collab-inator, Affiliate Relations (volunteer)
- Constituent Concierge (Internship)
- Free Radical (Internship)
- Johnny/Janie Appleseed (Internship)
- Knowledge Cultivator (Internship)
- Media Jockey (Internship)
- Wiki Gardener (Internship)
Things we need help with:
- Newsletter development
- Web content development
- Web site development (Drupal & CiviCRM)
- Webinar producer
- System Administrator
Resources to promote...
Linkedin offers hosting of non-profit's job descriptions for volunteer positions.
Internships
The OSI is working to establish formal internship programs at RPI, Siena College, SUNY Albany and students within the Schodack School District.
RPI
Siena College
SUNY
- To do list and development work: Google doc
Working Environment
For those that are interested and capable (live locally), space for interns and volunteers is available at the OSI Operations Center.
While we hope to take advantage of local colleges and universities to offer internships, we also recognize there may be interest across the globe in participating. Students from across the globe are encouraged to apply.
The OSI's official communications and operations are undertaken in English. While proficiency in English is required, those with competency in other languages are highly desirable and recommended to apply.
Interns/volunteers will be expected to participate in regularly scheduled, weekly, meetings (via phone, web conference, etc.).
These are non-paid positions however the OSI will work with your institution to provide academic credit.
Ready to apply? Great! You’ll only need a few things:
- Your current resume in PDF form.
- For those applying for internships through their institution, your transcript (an unofficial one will do fine if you don’t have an official version).
- A cover letter, short essay on how you feel the internship will advance your education and career in PDF form.
- A letter of recommendation from a faculty member in your institution in PDF form / A letter of recommendation from a professional colleague in PDF form.
- One idea about how to make the internship information on this page, and the application process better in PDF form.
That’s it! You’re ready to apply.Just email the above to [email protected]. Be sure to include which internship(s) you are interested in.