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Overview

The Chicago Summer Business Institute, formerly the Chicago Summer Finance Institute, was founded in 1991 to provide paid summer internships for Chicago high school students and to introduce them to the financial services sector. Despite the change in name, the Institute's goals remain the same, to give its participants an incentive to continue their education while preparing them for the business world.

During its inaugural year, 25 positions at financial firms throughout Chicago were available to student interns. The numbers have climbed over the years. With the addition of Legal, Architectural, Engineering and Development firms, the Chicago Summer Business Institute has increased the positions offered to student interns. This has allowed the program to successfully broaden its goals, and reach out to more students interested in a valuable internship experience.

The Chicago Summer Business Institute targets high achievers from Chicago's public, parochial and private high schools. Ideal candidates have above-average grades, extra-curricular activities and plans for college.

The program combines on-the-job experience with classroom education. To achieve a well-rounded curriculum, the work-week is divided into two parts. Four days are spent at work sites, where a supervisor guides and provides the student with general office work and meaningful projects. One afternoon a week, students participate in specially-created seminars. These seminars are designed to help students combine what they learn in the classroom with their on-the-job knowledge. At the close of the program, a graduation ceremony is highlighted with a talk by Mayor Daley.

Benefits to the Students

Participation in the program gives students a chance to experience a summer internship that can help further their careers after high school. They are given the opportunity to see what happens and participate in the Chicago business community. Students are able to earn money and save for college. In recent years, Chicago's high school students have been offered internships as runners at the Board of Trade, and general office assistants, among others. The students are able to better make career choices from their work experiences. Working in a professional environment gives the students a sense of what working will be like after college: the challenge, the responsibility, and the feeling of accomplishment from a job well done.

Weekly Seminars

The weekly seminars are an integral part of the program. Students hear about career opportunities through lectures from industry professionals. They get to participate in sessions that help them to better understand the stock market, the judicial system and our government. Students get the opportunity to see what goes on at the institutions that are important to the business industry.

Benefits to the Employers

Today's leaders in Chicago's business community can actively shape the lives of tomorrow's leaders by becoming involved with the Chicago Summer Business Institute. For Chicago Summer Business Institute interns, the program is more than a summer job - it is an opportunity to start planning for their futures - today.

Who is Eligible?

The program directors are looking for above-average achievers who are eager to learn. Eligible students:

• Are currently Sophomores or Juniors;
• Attend either Chicago public, parochial or private high school;
• Are residents in the City of Chicago;
• Have an annual family income of $60,000 or less; and
• Have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Application Process