What are the responsibilities and job description for the Student Worker - Upcycling Center Intern position at Ohio Wesleyan University?
Student Worker – Upcycling Center Summer Intern
Number of Openings: 1
Purpose/Objective of the Role:
The Upcycling Center at OWU is a partnership between Ohio Wesleyan Department of Fine Arts and the nonprofit Sustainable Delaware Ohio. It aims to promote creative reuse in a maker space. It accepts donated materials, keeping them out of a landfill, and putting them to reuse in innovative ways. It supports classes in several departments and participates in local events, such as sorting parties and workshops. The Upcycling Center Intern helps to sort and process donated materials, coordinate planning and preparation for events, contribute to creative works, and other administrative tasks. They work with David Soliday, as well as Fine Arts staff and faculty.
Tasks & Responsibilities:
Examples of Assignments/Projects:
- Preparing for events:
- Making sure materials and tools are on hand. Preparing signage, and posting to social media, as needed.
- Getting creative:
- Actually, making things, contributing to ideas for new items, and providing feedback on ones in process.
- Sorting and organizing:
- Keeping the stock of materials in order, so it’s easily browsable. Reorganizing areas periodically.
- Administrative tasks:
- Updating content on the website. Tracking operations: how much is donated, how many hours are put in. This includes learning about creative reuse and circular economy in general.
Qualifications:
- Initiative and organization are paramount; communication as well. Pitching in and contributing to small efforts to help them grow. Some creativity would also be nice.
- The internship can be tailored to enhance a number of fields of study.
- Due to restrictions in grant funding, the summer intern must be a commuter, not living on campus.
Potential Future Career Benefit:
- Business startup
- Nonprofit management
- Creative design
- Practical function
- Warehouse/shop upkeep
- Event planning
- This position will work with technology, as well as making things with their hands.
The Upcycling Center has characteristics of a new business venture. The intern will be brushing shoulders with and learning from experts in various disciplines, who are all pitching in to make this work. We are building a community, and the intern will become a part of it. They will have the opportunity to learn how to use the tools for sewing, sculpture, woodworking, and other crafting trades. They will learn how to mend, rather than spend.
NOTE:
- Employment sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
Application Instructions:
Complete the ADP application by selecting "Apply" button and answer all questions.
Supervisor: David Soliday
Commitment: 16 hours per week, minimum wage
Term: Summer 2026, temporary, part-time position