Summer Intern, XQ Institute: Product Designer
Emerson Collective · Oakland, CA
Overview
Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world.
Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED.
We’re looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.
The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.
Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.
Role and Responsibilities
- Create 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 maintenance and evolution of XQ’s design system for consistency across products.
- Contribute to brainstorming and ideation sessions for new product features.
Qualifications, Skills, and Requirements
- Rising undergraduate junior, senior, or recent 2026 college graduate majoring in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field.
- 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, design for impact, and creating accessible, equitable experiences.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Curious, resourceful, and eager to learn new tools, methodologies, and design approaches.
Internship Details
Compensation
- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).
- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.
- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed.
Key Dates
- November 18 – January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis
Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Friday, January 9.
(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)
- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended
- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation
- June 15: Internship program begins
- August 7: Internship program concludes
