Join Volta NYC
Real clients.
Real work.
Volta places student teams on real consulting projects for NYC small businesses. You work with an actual client, deliver something they depend on, and walk away with a portfolio piece you can point to anywhere.
80+
Student members
20+
Businesses served
9
NYC neighborhoods
3
Service tracks
This is unpaid. Here's what you get instead.
What you walk away with
Real deliverables
Deployed websites, live social media campaigns, submitted grant applications — work you can point to.
A portfolio that holds up
Tell interviewers exactly what you built, for which business, and what the result was.
References that count
Work directly with project directors and team leads who can speak to your specific contributions.
Mentorship
Get guidance from experienced team leads and project directors throughout your time at Volta.
Fast path to leadership
Strong contributors move into team lead and pod manager roles quickly — we always need more of them.
Real community impact
The businesses you help are real — family-owned restaurants, flower shops, tutoring centers across NYC.
Pick your path
Three tracks
You'll work with a team lead throughout. Many members contribute across tracks over time.
What you'll do
- →Research and write grant applications for small businesses
- →Analyze sales data and POS systems
- →Help businesses reduce transaction fees and optimize operations
- →Support nonprofit financial filings and documentation
We look for
- ·Comfort reading financial and tax documents
- ·Grant writing or research experience (preferred, not required)
- ·Interest in finance, accounting, or nonprofit work
What you'll do
- →Build and launch websites for client businesses
- →Set up and optimize Google Maps and Yelp listings
- →Implement SEO improvements and web accessibility
- →Deploy and manage code in a shared GitHub repo
We look for
- ·React.js and/or TypeScript experience
- ·Familiarity with GitHub
- ·Interest in full-stack or frontend development
What you'll do
- →Manage Instagram accounts for real businesses
- →Develop content strategies and posting calendars
- →Film and edit founder interview content
- →Run analytics and audience growth campaigns
We look for
- ·Social media or content creation experience
- ·Design skills (Canva, Adobe, Figma)
- ·Strong writing and communication
Time commitment
2–4 hrs/week
Varies by project phase
Structure
Project-based
No fixed contract or semester
Team size
3–5 students
Small, focused pods per project
Mentorship
You're not dropped into a project alone.
Every member works with a team lead from day one. As you build experience, you'll move into team lead and project director roles yourself — our leadership track goes both ways, so the person mentoring you today was in your position not long ago.
Assigned to a team lead on your first project
Twice-monthly check-ins with project directors
Leadership track: member → team lead → director
References from people who watched you work
Questions
Is this paid?
No — Volta is a nonprofit and all positions are volunteer. You gain experience, portfolio work, mentorship, references, and leadership opportunities.
Do I need prior experience?
It depends on the track. Tech requires some coding experience. Finance and marketing are more open to students still developing their skills.
Is it remote?
Yes. All work is remote-friendly. Some NYC members may choose to do in-person client visits, but it's not required.
How much time does it take?
2–4 hours per week, depending on the project phase. Some weeks are lighter, some are heavier around deliverable deadlines.
How long is a project?
Projects are ongoing and vary in scope. There's no fixed contract or semester commitment. You work on a project until it's delivered.
Can college students apply?
Yes. We actively recruit from CUNY schools and other NYC colleges. College students often move into team lead roles.
Ready to apply?
Answer two short prompts and optionally share your resume. We'll reach out to schedule a conversation and match you with a project.
Apply Now →Takes 5 minutes · Rolling admissions