Gigs

Gigs are meaningful, short-term projects that help employees develop their skills, broaden professional networks, and encourage career growth while staying in their current roles. Units and colleges gain project support, fresh perspectives, and enhanced cross-unit collaboration. At the University level, gigs boost employee satisfaction, support professional development, and improve adaptability to evolving business needs.

What to expect?

Projects

A short-term, defined assignment to support you or your department. Examples include:

  • Three-week, 5-10 hr/week data analysis project hosted by an employee who is eager to develop management skills
  • Six-week, 5-10 hr/week Coordinator of the Staff Development Day
  • Nine-week, 1-5 hr/week Patient Access Liaison

Keep in Mind

Gigs are not:

  • Full-time or part-time job placements
  • Intended to interfere with the employee’s job
  • Paid via chargebacks or cause monetary compensation changes
     

For a list of terms used throughout this process and on the platform, visit the terms and definitions resource page. You will log in with your UMN Internet ID and password. 

Roles and Responsibilities

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Gig Creator

As a Gig Creator, you help shape a culture of learning and collaboration by posting opportunities, connecting with internal talent, and supporting their growth through structured feedback and collaboration. By creating meaningful gigs, you'll have access to the rich talent of the University community while minimizing onboarding.

Your experience with the EDC will most likely follow this process:

  1. Start by identifying the type of support needed and then draft and post the gig to the EDC.
  2. Once the gig is approved and live, the platform will recommend internal applicants while allowing employees looking to expand their skill set to express interest by submitting an application.
  3. When Gig Explorer(s) apply, review the applications and connect with them through Interest Meetings to ensure their availability aligns with needs, understand their motivations, and assess for gig readiness. You should extend an interest meeting to all Gig Explorer(s).
  4. You will offer the gig to one or more Gig Explorers and await their confirmation of supervisor support and acceptance of the gig opportunity.
  5. Indicate the selected Gig Explorer within the system and close out the posted gig within the EDC.
  6. Schedule a conversation with the Gig Explorer and their supervisor to align expectations and establish a supportive feedback loop for development, feedback, and growth.
  7. Onboard the Gig Explorer(s) and provide coaching and guidance for gig completion.
  8. After the gig, wrap things up by offboarding and providing feedback on the Gig Explorer’s skills—this helps highlight development needs, supports continued growth, and can be used by the Gig Explorer to spark meaningful career conversations.

Ready to start? A successful gig begins with an accurate description. Click on the button for instructions and best practices to get your gig noticed and work done.

How to Create an Effective Gig

Gig Explorer

As a Gig Explorer, you have full control over your growth journey. Every step, from building your profile to selecting opportunities and gathering feedback, is designed to empower your experience and development. Your involvement will follow this path:

  1. Fill out a profile indicating your skills, capabilities, and the level of interest for each.
  2. The EDC platform then uses an AI algorithm to match you with current open opportunities (gigs) based on your talent profile.
  3. You can express interest in a gig by completing a short application.
  4. If you are matched with a gig, the Gig Creator will contact you to schedule an interest meeting. During this meeting, you can share more about your motivations, skills, and interests as they pertain to the gig.
  5. Check in with your current manager to confirm support before accepting a gig.
  6. If agreed upon by all parties, you will then complete the gig.
  7. After the gig, you can solicit feedback from people you worked with during the gig, creating an opportunity for continued insight and growth.

Read to start? Click on the button for best practices and directions to build a profile.

How to Create an Effective Profile

Supervisors

Supervisors play a key role in supporting an employee's development through gigs by:

  • Encouraging them to explore EDC and find a gig that's right for them.
  • Working with both the employee and the Gig Creator to align on expectations and establish a supportive feedback loop for development, feedback, and growth.
  • Checking in regularly to see how things are going, help address challenges, and discuss what’s learned through the gig.
  • Coaching them on how to prioritize their workload and work more efficiently.
  • Sharing feedback from Gig Creators to help guide growth and find ways to apply what was learned during the gig into their regular roles.