But you might have heard the saying, “Nothing worthwhile ever comes easily.” The amazing experiences you have as an intern and a student in Chicago are so great because they teach you that you can rise to meet the challenges you face! Chicago Center assists you in learning from your internship and succeeding in it.

Working an internship in Chicago, IL can provide challenges that help you learn about yourself.

The great thing about the Chicago Center internship programs is that we’ll be there the whole way to help you deal with any challenges you might meet. Whether challenges should rise in your Chicago internship, in your studies, or in your experience living in the city, you have an entire staff at your disposal, who have been through the Chicago Center experience themselves, to support you and help you learn and grow! It is a truly a unique community experience that helps you face any problem you meet.

And we’ll start helping you right here, by outlining some preliminary challenges and questions that our students meet and how to deal with them. With the help of our staff, you can navigate through challenges, and learn from the ones you must face!

Chicago Internships and Questions You Might Have About Them

1) How do you find a good internship in Chicago? The first challenge that college students usually meet in their Chicago internships is actually finding a good one and getting it! The Chicago Center’s primary expertise is placing you in an internship that meets your needs and develops your interests. We have contacts in hundreds of different areas, so no matter what your major is, we can find an internship that will enhance your studies and better your education.

Likewise, our list of Chicago internships is only the beginning– we’ll work with you to find a great internship that will help you get your foot in the door of your chosen industry, whether you find it here already or not. We are constantly looking for new internship sites for our students to take part in!

2) How do you prepare to start your Chicago internship? This Chicago internship might be the first job you’ve ever had. Or, if you have had jobs before, it might be the first job you’ve had in a city as big as Chicago. Nerves are a natural occurrence when you are starting a new job. However, we can prepare you fully for your new job and give you the confidence to perform well in your internship!

Many of our internships include an interview process; this allows you to get accustomed to your workplace and your coworkers. As well as meeting the people you will be working with, it also allows you to have accurate expectations about your work responsibilities. Of course, being prepared and knowing what you will be doing always decreases first-day nerves.

You will also have time to get settled into your apartment, get to know the neighborhood and meet other program participants before your internship starts. Having roommates who are working just like you gives you a built-in support system of people who are going through exactly what you are! The Chicago Center experience prepares you for both your job and for life in the city, making your transition into your internship seamless and simple.

The unique program provided to Chicago Center students gives you full support from Day 1 all the way until the end of your internship– making sure you are prepared is just the beginning!

3) How do I get to and from my internship in Chicago? Of course, you never want to be late to your first day of work, and getting around in Chicago may seem a little intimidating. But don’t worry; we’ll equip you for that, too! You’ll get to learn about Chicago and explore the CTA (public transportation) before you start your internship. Once you’ve mastered buses and trains, they’ll become a part of your daily routine and won’t feel like a challenge at all.

Once your Chicago internship starts, you may find more challenges to confront and questions that you have, but that’s what makes an internship such a great learning experience. You’ll meet with Chicago Center staff and fellow students weekly to discuss your internship and what you’re learning in it– so if you ever need help, you can get it from your peers and your directors. The Chicago Communities and Cultures Seminar takes you into city’s neighborhoods, introduces you to major political and economic institutions, and you will meet with community leaders which will also supports you in your internship while Making Chicago Your Classroom. Learn more about our student programs and our internship opportunities, and feel free to contact us with questions!