Retrofit Labs Book a free call

Internship for Academic Credit: AI Ops, Marketing, Web and Research

  • LocationIrvine, CAHybrid possible
  • HoursFlexiblePart-time, around your classes
  • CompensationUnpaidFor academic credit
  • FocusLearning firstMentored by the founder
Apply now Read the full role

This is an unpaid internship for academic credit. It's open to currently enrolled college students who can receive credit through their school.

The internship in short

Learn how businesses actually adopt AI.

This internship is designed around your education, not around our workload. Here's what that means:

  • You follow a structured training plan, with mentorship from the founder.
  • It's tied to your school's internship or academic credit program, and we'll work with your school on the forms and evaluations it requires.
  • You rotate through five areas: AI automation, website and SEO, marketing content, research, and operations.
  • Your hours are flexible and fit around your class schedule and academic calendar.

You'll learn by doing real exercises with feedback, but you won't be replacing anyone's job: interns supplement the work, they don't displace paid staff. The internship is for a set term and does not come with a promise of a paid job at the end.

About Retrofit Labs

Retrofit Labs builds AI tools and implements AI for businesses, based in Irvine, CA. Most of our work is hands-on building and implementation, and we do consulting on the side. We're a small team, so you'll work directly with the founder.

What you'll learn

Five areas, one rotation.

You'll spend time in each area, and can go deeper in the ones that fit your coursework and goals.

AI automation

  • Learn how businesses connect AI tools to their everyday work: lead follow-up, document handling, reporting.
  • Practice writing and testing prompts and simple automations alongside the founder.
  • Learn how to check whether an automation is actually working, and how to document it.

Website and SEO

  • Learn how a business website is structured, published, and measured.
  • Practice keyword research and writing pages for search engines and AI answer tools.
  • Learn to read basic site analytics and turn them into recommendations.

Marketing content

  • Practice drafting posts, emails, and case-study outlines for a B2B audience.
  • Learn how a small company plans and reviews content before it goes out.
  • Get feedback on your writing from the founder.

Research

  • Research industries, companies, and AI tools, and summarize what you find.
  • Learn to compare tools fairly and present a clear recommendation.
  • Practice citing sources and separating facts from claims.

Operations

  • See how a small AI company runs day to day: scheduling, client follow-up, project tracking.
  • Learn the tools we use to keep work organized.
  • Practice writing simple step-by-step guides (SOPs).

How it works

From application to credit.

  1. Before you start

    We agree on a learning plan with you and, where your school requires it, with your internship coordinator. It sets your goals, hours, and term.

  2. During the term

    You rotate through the five areas with training and regular one-on-one check-ins with the founder, who reviews your work and gives feedback.

  3. At the end

    We complete any evaluations your school needs for your credit, and you leave with work samples and skills you can talk about in interviews.

What we're looking for

Is this you?

Must-have

  • You're currently enrolled in a college or university.
  • You can receive academic credit for this internship through your school.
  • You can work in Irvine at least part of the time (hybrid is possible).
  • You're curious about AI and how businesses use it.
  • You communicate clearly in writing.

Nice to have

  • Coursework in business, marketing, computer science, information systems, communications, or a related field.
  • Experience with any website builder, analytics tool, or AI chat tool.
  • A writing sample, project, or portfolio you can share.

The details

Logistics.

Compensation
Unpaid. This internship is for academic credit through your school.
Hours
Part-time with flexible hours, agreed in advance around your class schedule and your school's credit requirements.
Term
Matches your school's term (quarter or semester), with a clear start and end date.
Location
36 Executive Park, Suite 200, Irvine, CA 92614. Hybrid is possible.
Mentorship
Training and regular one-on-one check-ins with the founder.
After the internship
The internship ends at the end of the term. It doesn't include a promise of a paid job.
1 About you

2 School and credit

Are you currently enrolled in a college or university? *

Can you receive academic credit for this internship through your school? *

Which areas interest you most? (choose any)

3 Resume

4 Short answers

5 Location and source
Can you work in Irvine, CA at least part of the time? (Hybrid is possible.) *

By applying, you agree that we'll use your information only to review your application. See our privacy note.