13 Internships in Chicago, IL for College Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 minutes ago
- 8 min read
If you’re looking for internships during college, they can provide a useful way to explore potential career paths while gaining experience outside the classroom. Internships allow you to work in professional environments, contribute to projects, and develop skills in communication, analysis, research, and collaboration. They can also help you better understand how different industries operate and what day-to-day work in a given field entails.
In Chicago, internships are offered through universities, hospitals, government offices, research institutions, financial firms, and community organizations. These opportunities include research fellowships, policy internships, healthcare programs, consulting experiences, and project-based roles that vary in structure and focus.
Why should I do an internship in college?
Internships allow you to explore different career paths while gaining practical experience in professional settings. You might contribute to research projects, support business operations, assist with policy analysis, work in healthcare environments, or participate in community-focused initiatives while learning from mentors and teams. Over time, these experiences can help you build professional skills, expand your network, and better understand the type of work you may want to pursue after college.
To help with your search, below is a list of 13 internships in Chicago, IL, for college students.
If you’re looking for paid summer internships, check out our blog here.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost / Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort | Spring (January) | Summer (May) | Fall (September) | Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks | Open to undergraduates and gap year students
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that addresses a genuine need for the startup they are working with and present their work at the end of their internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup.
Location: BNY Mellon U.S. offices
Cost / Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Applications open in early August (Tentative)
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or more
The BNY Mellon Internship Program is a ten-week learning opportunity for college students. You will explore the foundational areas of financial services, address business challenges by working on projects as a lead, and receive mentorship from senior leaders. You will participate in development workshops, receive training, and sharpen your marketing skills. The program will provide you with the opportunity to become eligible for their full-time data analyst position. You will participate in four phases of selection for the program: application, assessment, interview, and offer. At the same time, you will understand the workings of private banking, analyze client portfolios, and apply strategic thinking to support advisory teams.
Location: Nationwide offices
Cost / Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 8–12 weeks during Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by role
Eligibility: Early Graduates
Deloitte Internships offer real-world learning experiences for college students. You will receive mentorship from onboarding advisors and coaches, attend networking events, and engage in professional development. You would also have the opportunity to work on interesting projects in your preferred field of study while learning in a supportive environment. The program will allow you to develop valuable skills and to explore the professional services industry in depth.
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost / Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 6–10 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: March (Tentative)
Eligibility: Undergraduates or full-time students in biomedical engineering, medicine, electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field
Northwestern University Radiology – UIM Research Summer Fellowship is a six to ten-week opportunity for college students. You will gain knowledge about Radiology, develop research skills in medical imaging, and work with experienced radiology mentors. It will also allow you to work in the radiology department and engage in a range of research activities, including formulating objectives, testing hypotheses, and analyzing data. The program will allow you to explore the radiology residency program and gain knowledge and exposure to pursue a future career in academic radiology.
Location: FBI Headquarters and Field Offices Nationwide
Cost / Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June – August
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students attending a U.S.-accredited institution
The FBI Honors Internship Program offers a professional learning experience to college students. You will work on challenging assignments, build a strong professional network, and improve your resume. It will also allow you to work and receive guidance from professionals through full-time, paid, and entry-level employment opportunities. The program involves a range of roles, including special agent, management and program analyst, physical scientist, and law enforcement specialist, among others.
Location: State agencies in Chicago or Springfield
Cost / Stipend: Free; a $2,800/month stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 10 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: March 6
Eligibility: College students who are residents of Illinois
State of Illinois – Michael J. Curry Summer Internship (Governor’s Office) allows college students to explore the functioning of the State government from up close. You will spend ten weeks working full-time in an agency. You will have the opportunity to apply and choose from a range of areas to work in, including the Environmental Protection Agency, human services, public health, and more, based on your interests. You'll participate in research, write reports, and gain hands-on learning experience.
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S., including Chicago
Cost / Stipend: Free; A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Early June – Mid August
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising college juniors and seniors
A&M's Internship Program is an 8 to 10-week paid learning opportunity for college students. You will work on impactful projects, gain knowledge about a wide range of disciplines, and explore your academic career interests. It will also allow you to learn in a supportive and inclusive environment, build a professional network with industry leaders, and develop professional hands-on skills. The program will allow you to receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals and share your ideas in an encouraging environment.
Location: Northwestern Memorial Hospital (Chicago ) | Palos Heights | McHenry | Lake Forest | Winfield
Cost / Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June 25 – August 19 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application deadline: December 26 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students enrolled in a four-year university program
The Northwestern Medicine Pre-Med Internship Program is an eight-week paid learning opportunity for college students. You will gain knowledge of various medical professions and work on projects sponsored by the faculty at a premier academic medical center. The program will allow you to learn from experienced industry leaders and pair up with clinical and administrative mentors for summer projects. You will attend seminars, explore clinical concepts, and engage in learning in a real-world academic healthcare environment.
Location: CAIR-Chicago office in downtown Chicago
Cost / Stipend: Free; Paid fellowship
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohorts
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, or graduate students
CAIR‑Chicago – Internship Program offers full-time and part-time learning opportunities to college students. Some of the ten available internships include civil rights law clerk, communications intern, operations intern, and outreach intern. Through these internships, you will have the opportunity to execute media strategies, write journalism articles, develop and manage websites, receive training in data-based design, administrative assistance, and more. You will participate in policy research, public awareness, and development for Muslim citizens in the U.S. You will also receive training in a range of areas, including community relations, public education, youth development, human resources, community service, and more.
Location: Governor’s Office (Springfield or Chicago )
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Summer session: June 1 – August 31
Application deadline: Varies by sessions
Eligibility: Must be currently working toward a college/university degree or certification. More information here
The Office of the Illinois Governor – Office of Equity Internship offers a hands-on learning experience for college students. You will receive mentorship, support the DEIA projects, and collaborate with the Office of Equity team. It will also allow you to assist in planning for the Office’s DEIA-focused initiatives and programming. The program will let you join meetings with government leaders, DEIA stakeholders, and advocates, and conduct legislative and policy research.
Location: University of Chicago | University of Illinois at Chicago
Cost / Stipend: Free; A taxable stipend of $3,500 per year ($1,000 during the school year and $2,500 during summer)
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: June – August
Application deadline: March 27
Eligibility: College students
UP on EHS at the University of Chicago is a research training program for college students focused on environmental health. You will have the opportunity to work full-time for two consecutive years, as well as participate in career and skill-development seminars and workshops, and attend summer lecture series. You will receive faculty mentorship, work in environmental health science laboratories, and gain hands-on experience. The program will allow you to build a network of research professionals, university faculty, and program peers and personnel.
Location: University of Chicago , Chicago, IL
Cost / Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 2-year summer program (Eight weeks each year)
Application deadline: December 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: College freshman or sophomore | High school sophomore, junior, or senior
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a research training program for college students. The program includes two eight-week summer research experiences and monthly academic activities throughout the year. You will work with a research group and participate in hands-on laboratory work. You will also attend a summer lecture series focused on Cancer, receive mentorship, and participate in skill-building and career development workshops. The program will allow you to build a network of professionals, peer mentors, faculty, and fellow participants. It concludes with a research symposium where you will have the opportunity to share your work in a range of cancer research areas, including basic, translational, clinical, and population-focused.
Location: Varies based on the internships
Cost / Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate / Cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Summer: May through September | Spring: January through April/May | Fall: August/September through December
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: 18-year-old students committed to 12–20 hours per week
Summer Internships at PAWS Chicago offer multiple hands-on learning opportunities to students seeking academic credit and training. You will work 12-20 hours per week and interact regularly with animals. Some of the internships offered through the program include the adoption program internship, animal care internship, animal enrichment internship, and animal welfare internship, among others. The internships will allow you to help homeless animals, engage in research and implementation of enrichment activities, and more.
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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