UChicago Youth Internship Program
About
The University of Chicago Youth Internship Program is a paid summer employment opportunity for South Side high school students 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 students 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 and authorized to work in the United States
- Are residents of the city of Chicago
- Attend a Chicago Public School or charter school
- Have at least a 3.0 minimum unweighted GPA
- (For Year 2 Internships) Successfully completed the Year 1 Experience the summer prior
Priority will be given to students who live in or attend a high school in the Office of Civic Engagement’s nine-neighborhood focus area on the South Side: Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn.
2025 Program Dates: TBD
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 Friday, 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
YIP is not yet accepting applications for summer 2025.
Applications are generally available from February - April. Check back here and at One Summer Chicago's website for updates and the link to the application.
If you have questions, please email ucyip@uchicago.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the expandable menu below to find answers to frequently asked questions about the UChicago Youth Internship Program.
TBD
Year 1 Experience: Apply for the Youth Internship Program on the One Summer Chicago application and be sure to list University of Chicago as the agency you want to work with. Use this step-by-step application guide to help.
Year 2 Internship: Applications will be released via email to participants who successfully completed the First Year Experience in Summer 2024. 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.
Yes, please click here for the 2024 Youth Internship Program flyer.
