Computer Skills Instruction Intern

Gain real-world experience while helping to close the digital divide in Berkshire County. As an intern, you’ll teach digital literacy skills and offer one-on-one tech support to rural residents—building your own skills while making a measurable impact. Your work will also support a research study on the effectiveness of digital inclusion programs.

TO APPLY: Send resume and cover letter to info@berkshireplanning.org by June 1, 2025. Please include “Computer Skills Instruction Intern” in the subject line.

35 hours per week, for 8 weeks. Hybrid: Pittsfield (Office) & Instruction Sites

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Join BRPC this summer to help residents in rural communities learn to use computers, cellphones, and the internet to their fullest. Help close the digital divide by leading digital skills classes and helping people 1:1 become more skilled using digital devices. This internship builds on BRPC’s 2+ years of work focused on digital equity to ensure residents have the knowledge, skills, and devices they need to use technology to better their lives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Teach beginner, advanced beginner, or intermediate-level digital skills classes using established curricula (10-12 hours including travel)
  • Work with staff at identified town agencies to promote the digital skills class
  • Prepare for and plan lessons prior to classes using established curricula
  • Facilitate three to four (1-1.5 hour each) digital skills classes per week
  • Document student attendance and progress for later reporting to funders.
• Offer 1:1 Technology and Digital Skills Assistance (8-10 hours including travel)
  • Be available in-person at identified town locations for a minimum of three hours at each to assist walk-in and pre-scheduled clients with technology and digital skills questions and challenges
  • Document participation and report successes and challenges for later reporting to funders.
• Create new digital skills lesson plans (5-6 hours)
  • Based on experiences with students and related in-person technology assistance, create new lesson plans for topics not yet addressed by established curricula to be used by future teachers.
  • As time allows pilot teaching lesson plans to students and report student feedback.
• Research, data analysis, and writing (5-6 hours)
  • Find and review research studies in academic journals reporting on best practices for teaching digital skills to rural residents, older adults, or another identified at-risk population.
  • Assist BRPC staff with outcome analyses using data collected from digital skills classes.
• Additional activities include supervisor check-in meetings, and attendance of BRPC’s bi-weekly staff meetings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)

• Skills in public speaking and presenting
• Skills in research, writing, and data analysis
• Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)

• Experience working with older adults or at-risk populations
• Experience teaching in a small group setting
• Skills in the Adobe Suite, Canva, and/or PowerPoint

COMPENSATION

This is an unpaid internship, with mileage reimbursement available for fieldwork travel within Berkshire County. We are happy to work with your academic institution to provide course credit or other financial support.