Internships in Chicago, United States

There are almost as many internship foci available in Chicago as there are skyscrapers (read: a lot). From Civil Engineering to Environmental Studies, you shouldn’t struggle to find something that piques your interest from the city’s offerings. 

Popular types of internships in Chicago. It’s almost impossible to summarize the range of fields offering Chicago internships. The upside? Many international interns should be able to find something that suits their career goals. From Fashion and Music to Culture and Business, there are more options than the average number of pizza toppings.

Short term internships and summer internships vs. long-term internships. Internships range greatly in length and ultimately, research will be required to find a program that meets your needs in terms of the length and area of work. A short-term program, such as summer internships Chicago, nestle neatly between school semesters — an ideal way to boost your career skills, add real value to your resume, and stay on top of your studies. If you have the time, however, a longer placement will allow you to push your skills to a higher level, and has the added bonus of increased potential for permanent employment.

Unpaid vs. paid internships in Chicago. It’s important to be clear on the remuneration for any internship before starting out in order to establish whether it will be financially possible for your to complete the full contract. This will vary depending upon the company or organization, length of the internship and field. In general, longer placements are more likely to offer some kind of living stipend or support, owing to the amount of time you have commit to work with them.

The fun thing about Chicago internships is that it has all the intrigue of a big city, and the amenities to boot, with Lake Michigan and a National Lakeshore within reach. This means that city slickers and nature addicts alike will be able to satisfy their wanderlust. Not to mention the array of cultural hubs and museums for the days when you need to regain contact with your inner history guru. Nightlife is also rife and varied, so you won’t get bored by dark either.

Life in the city hits the price range of most major US centers, with no shortage of options for accommodation. Depending on your budget, you might share apartment rent with other international interns or local Americans. This can be a convenient way to make friends (after all, you need someone to share your Garrett’s popcorn with, right?).

The truth is that Chicago has so many internship opportunities, and such an array of out-of-the-office exploration possibilities, that it would be hard not to be satisfied with the selection. There is a comprehensive network of public transportation to take you around all of your bucket-list checkpoints, and a large international airport to get you there in the first place. Essentially, there are no boxes left unchecked when it comes to the logistical, practical and fun points. 

What you should remember though is that for almost half of the year, the city can experience bitterly cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, and high winds (it got the name for a reason!). October through April are considered the “low” months when it comes to the city’s climate. How this affects your plans will, however, be completely personal, but those wishing to spend lots of time outdoors and not accustomed to this type of climate, may want to time their internship when the sun will be glistening off the city skyline instead.

So there you have it, a montage of reasons to choose Chicago as your next stop for an internship abroad, and very few not to. Chicago internships won’t disappoint on any front!

Read our comprehensive guide on interning abroad in the United States of America.