UChicago Youth Internship Program
About
Learn more about YIP Summer 2025 at our virtual Info Session at 6pm on Thursday, April 10 -- register here for the link.
The University of Chicago Youth Internship Program is a paid summer employment opportunity for South Side youth that is focused on strengthening the pipeline to STEM careers. Launched in 2021, the UChicago Youth Internship Program (YIP) serves Chicago Public School and charter school students over the course of two summers.
The Year 1 Experience takes an earn and learn approach with career and college preparation through workshops, seminars, and activities. This includes a guest speaker series from a variety of STEM professionals, workplace tours, professional leadership lessons, college tours, and post-secondary planning.
The second summer, participants who successfully completed the Year 1 Experience are eligible to reapply for a YIP Year 2 Internship within one of several University units for a six-week job in health sciences, computer sciences, or IT services.
YIP partners with One Summer Chicago, a citywide initiative through the Department of Family & Support Services’ Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides youth with employment and enrichment opportunities during the summer months.
Qualifications
The UChicago Youth Internship Program is looking for motivated, hardworking youth who:
- Have an interest in learning about health sciences, computer sciences, or IT services
- Are at least 16 years old by the start of the program (Monday, June 23, 2025) and authorized to work in the United States
- Are residents of the city of Chicago
- Attend or graduated from a Chicago Public School or charter high school
- (For Year 2 Internships) Successfully completed the Year 1 Experience the summer prior
Priority given to those who live in or attend a high school in communities adjacent to the University, including Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn.
2025 Program Dates: Monday, June 23 - Thursday, July 31
Year 1 interns will work and attend programming Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Year 2 interns will work and attending programming Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
There will also be 1-2 payroll onboarding and orientation events taking place in the spring and summer that participants will need to attend.
Apply by April 24 - Limited Spots Available
There are 3 steps you need to take to be considered for YIP Year 1:
- Submit a 2025 One Summer Chicago Department of Family and Support Services application here.
- Complete this interest form.
- Schedule 1 group interview using the link provided at the end of the interest form above. Youth must attend 1 scheduled group interview with the required documentation to be considered for employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the expandable menu below to find answers to frequently asked questions about the UChicago Youth Internship Program.
We strongly encourage youth to apply by April 24. Limited spots available!
There are 3 steps you need to take to be considered for YIP Year 1:
- Submit a 2025 One Summer Chicago Department of Family and Support Services application here.
- Complete this interest form.
- Schedule 1 group interview using the link provided at the end of the interest form above. Youth must attend 1 scheduled group interview with the required documentation to be considered for employment.
Year 2 Internship: Applications will be released via email to participants who successfully completed YIP Year 1. To ensure we have the right email address on file, feel free to reach out to ucyip@uchicago.edu
Year 1 Experience: The Year 1 Experience takes an earn and learn approach with career and college preparation through workshops, seminars, and activities. This includes a guest speaker series from a variety of STEM professionals, workplace tours, professional leadership lessons, college tours, and post-secondary planning.
Year 2 Internships: While specific tasks will vary between departments, all interns will have assignments that support projects or initiatives of the department. These assignments could include trainings, inventory updates, job shadowing, summarizing research, assisting with scheduling, attending meetings and taking notes, and other tasks as assigned. Regardless of where a student is placed, all interns will create and deliver a formal presentation about their internship that can be used for future job searches or college applications.
Interns who participate in the program will:
- Earn an hourly wage of Chicago minimum wage for up to 20 hours a week for 6 weeks
- Attend workshops focused on career exploration, professional development, and more
- Prepare for the college application process through college tours and workshops
- Develop valuable skills and experience, whether you want to work immediately after graduation or attend college
- Meet other students and career professionals with similar interests
Students must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the program and authorized to work in the United States to be considered for this program.
Flyer to come!
