For Students
Gain hands-on experience with
real projects with real impact.
Volta NYC places you on consulting teams to deliver tech and marketing strategy for local businesses. Ship full-stack web projects, drive marketing initiatives, and build a resume backed by direct client-facing experience.
Join 310+ students from 44 high schools and 17 colleges.
Takes 5 minutes · Apply anytime · ~30% acceptance rate.
Built for your resume — and beyond
Volta is built around outcomes that matter in interviews and on applications.
Real deliverables
Deployed websites, live social media campaigns, submitted grant applications. Work you can show in an interview.
A portfolio that holds up
You can tell an interviewer exactly what you built, for which business, and what changed as a result.
References that count
Your team leads and project directors know your work firsthand and can speak to it specifically.
Feedback on your work
Experienced members review your work and give you direct feedback as you go.
Fast path to leadership
Strong contributors move into lead roles quickly. We promote based on work, not time.
Real community impact
The businesses you work with are real. Family-owned restaurants, flower shops, tutoring centers across NYC.
The three tracks
Every project is staffed by students across our three tracks. Pick the one that fits your skills and interests.
Finance & Operations
What you'll do
- Research and write grant applications for small businesses
- Analyze sales and revenue data to identify growth opportunities
- Run competitor research and market benchmarking
- Write clear, actionable reports for business owners
- Support nonprofit financial filings and documentation
Who fits in
- Comfort reading financial documents and working in spreadsheets
- Some background in structured analysis or research
- Grant writing experience is a plus but not required
- Interest in finance, accounting, or nonprofit operations
Digital & Tech
What you'll do
- Build and launch websites for client businesses
- Set up backend workflows: forms, databases, auth, automations
- Optimize Google Maps and Yelp listings for search visibility
- Implement SEO improvements and accessibility fixes
- Deploy and maintain code in a shared production repo
Who fits in
- React.js or TypeScript, with some backend or API experience
- Comfortable with GitHub and basic deployment workflows
- Interest in working on full-stack production systems
Marketing & Strategy
What you'll do
- Manage Instagram accounts for active client businesses
- Build content strategies and weekly posting calendars
- Film and edit founder interview videos
- Track performance and run audience growth campaigns
- Design print and digital materials: menus, business cards, flyers, and branded templates
Who fits in
- Experience with social media or content creation
- Design skills in Canva, Adobe, or Figma
- Strong writing and clear communication
The leadership track
We promote based on the work you do, not how long you have been here. Strong contributors move up quickly.
Analyst
Contribute to live projects and ship your first client-facing work.
Senior Analyst
Own your workstream and mentor newer analysts on execution quality.
Associate
Coordinate with your team, manage key project pieces, and keep client deadlines on track.
Senior Associate
Lead work across multiple teams and help set the standard for how projects get done.
Project Lead
Run a project from start to finish. You lead the team and own the client relationship.
Other roles
Neighborhood Liaison
Bridge our project teams and local business owners. You do outreach, join BID visits, and build the on-the-ground relationships that make our work possible.
School Ambassador
Represent Volta at your school. You recruit new members, run info sessions, and serve as the main point of contact between your campus and Volta leadership.
Head of City Expansion
Launch Volta in a new city. You build local partnerships and establish the first student teams and operating structure from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this paid?
No. Volta is a nonprofit and all roles are volunteer. You get real project experience, portfolio work, references, and the opportunity to move into a leadership role.
Do I need prior experience?
It depends on the track. Tech requires coding experience. Finance and marketing are more open to students who are still building their skills.
Is it remote?
Yes. All work is remote. Some NYC members choose to join in-person client visits, but it is not required.
How much time does it take?
About 2 to 4 hours per week. Some weeks are lighter, some are busier when deadlines are close.
How long is a project?
It varies. There is no fixed semester commitment. You work on a project until it ships, then you can take on another.
Can college students apply?
Yes. We recruit from CUNY schools and colleges across the country. College students often move into team lead roles.