We know that not every student can afford to take an unpaid internship, which influenced our decision to establish the Internship Plus Program. This program awards up to $2,500 in financial assistance to students who have an unpaid internship opportunity and demonstrate financial need. Through this program, many students, like the ones below, have been able to gain important experience in their field of interest.
Paige Interned at 826CHI
“In January 2020, I began my work as the Publications Intern at 826CHI, a tutoring and creative writing center that supports Chicago Public School students. In this role, I have had the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of young people who attend underfunded schools. My specific role at the organization involves publishing our students’ work in the form of print and digital books. Since 826CHI is a nonprofit and the organization works hard to keep programming free for students in need, my time with the organization has been unpaid. Though I have been more than happy to commit my time to 826CHI because of my connection with their mission, the lack of income has created financial strain for me over the last few months. Receiving the Internship Plus Award has been a huge help this quarter and has alleviated much of the stress I felt regarding my financial situation this past winter. Every little bit helps, and the Internship Plus Award has allowed me to invest myself more deeply in my internship without worrying as much about my financial responsibilities.”
Bridget Interned at Wang, Leonard & Condon
“In October of 2019, I began working as a legal intern at the Wang, Leonard & Condon law firm in the Loop. I utilized DePaul’s Career Center to help me draft my first resume, and I had a mock interview an hour and a half before I went into the office for my real interview. Wang, Leonard & Condon practices many kinds of law, but the attorneys I worked under represented immigrants from Central America, South America, and Mexico applying for asylum. At WLC, I drafted clients’ declarations, collected and annotated articles as evidence of country conditions, and regularly traveled to immigration court to serve filings. I was ecstatic to get this job, and I truly looked forward to going into work twice a week. I greatly appreciate the Internship Plus program for allowing me the means to continue working at WLC and pursuing my interests.”
Miri Interned at Theydo
“My internship has been very impactful in both my progression in school and profession. I initially began my internship as a design intern, where I had the ability to develop my skillset in branding and visual identity design. Working closely with the creative director, other interns, and head of marketing, I learned more about how to collaborate and work on a team. Furthermore, the work I produced will go toward my portfolio, which is essential for showing my skills and knowledge as a designer… Additionally, I the chance to create impactful work for a non-profit. This is a non-profit in Chicago that works with people experiencing homelessness. I have also been honored to be able to continue this internship into the summer to further enhance my professional skillset and portfolio. I am very grateful to have received this scholarship, it allowed me to be able to dedicate the amount of time that was necessary for this internship and allowed me to grow into a professional ready for work after college.”
Francesca Interned at The University of Illinois at Chicago
“This internship and Internship Plus award has impacted me significantly. I was able to continue my work with Professor Swirsky on our research project which examines the experience of moral distress that medical students face in their curriculum. I have been dedicated to this project since last year when I was accepted to join UIC’s Summer Research Opportunity Program. After the program ended, I chose to continue on our project because the mental well being of medical students and healthcare providers are deeply important to me. Working on the project had given me the tools to conduct research and increase my knowledge in this specific field of my career. I plan to continue my education after graduating from DePaul University by getting my MS degree in I-O psychology at IIT. My research interest and career goals are committed to establishing the welling being of healthcare providers. After COVID-19 took its toll around the world, it has solidified that I’m in the right place at the right time. With this internship plus award, I was able to financially support myself while still contributing my research skills to a cause that has become more relevant today. My internship and the Internship Plus Program has significantly helped in my development as a young professional in the field of research.”
Mykhailo Interned at CineYouth
“It is an enormous honor for me to be a part of CineYouth internship, which is created and organized by Chicago International Film Festival. As a program assistant I have a variety of exciting responsibilities including: reviewing and judging submitted films by young filmmakers, reaching out to other youth festivals and promoting the CineYouth Film Festival. Other great responsibilities are collaborating with other Chicago International Film Festival staff on improving this year’s program and responding to people from around the world who have questions about the CineYouth Film Festival. Being a filmmaker myself, it is crucial for me to help other filmmakers to promote their creative work. It is especially important for me to provide assistance to younger filmmakers who are crucial voices of our future. CineYouth Film Festival is international, and the main goal of it is to create a diverse and equitable program which is very important for the future of the film industry. It allows me to develop skills of creating meaningful and diverse programs for young filmmakers. I have an opportunity to collaborate with everyone who is involved not only in CineYouth Film Festival but also Chicago International Film Festival which is the longest running international film festival in North America. “
Danielle Interned at Tuesday’s Child
“Through my internship I was able to work with children who may be experiencing various obstacles both inside and outside of the classroom – these students work to develop the academic, behavioral and social-emotional skills needed throughout their academic lives. My goal is to work in the field of social work, specifically working with young elementary school students who face many of the obstacles and struggles that the children I had the opportunity to work with, go through on a daily basis. I used my knowledge gained through DePaul’s teachings to help guide me through my hands on experience and give me the necessary tools to be successful when working within this population, I thank DePaul and Tuesday’s Child for giving me the opportunity of combining inside and outside of the classroom experiences to shape me into the future helper I aspire to be. I deeply thank the Internship Plus program for helping me finance my spring quarter, especially with the state of the world and recent pandemic they truly helped me and my family out…”
Applications for the fall Internship Plus program are now open. Apply on the Scholarship Connect by August 18th, 2020!