Engage Chicago is an eight-week summer field study program run by Northwestern University’s Center for Civic Engagement and Chicago Field Studies. Engage Chicago gives bright undergraduates a chance to earn academic credit as they live, work, and serve together in Chicago – all while learning from the city’s rich history and culture of civic engagement. Learn more about the program here. 

We work with bright, motivated students who are eager to learn about Chicago, about public interest work, and about themselves. Students have all completed at least one year of college. They are in a variety of fields of study. Many are Northwestern students, but we also have students from other colleges and universities enrolled in the program. They are receiving academic course credit for their participation in Engage Chicago this summer.

We seek organizations that provide students with meaningful, project-based work and opportunities to learn about social change in Chicago. Strong host organizations typically: 1) make a substantial impact in Chicago and offer students a chance to contribute to community-focused work; 2) provide project-based, not simply clerical, responsibilities; and 3) designate a primary supervisor who can offer mentorship and support throughout the internship.

Internship projects can involve any type of work that advances your organization’s mission. You may specify required skills or areas of interest on the Host Site Application. 

Examples may include (but are not limited to) communications, outreach, and marketing projects; research or evaluation projects; data management; or community organizing and engagement efforts.

Engage Chicago internships begin at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 22, 2026 and conclude at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. 

During Engage Chicago, students have Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays available for internship work, and are expected to work 20-24 hours/week at their internship site. Students have class and academic seminars on Tuesday afternoons and Thursdays (on a rotating schedule) and are unable to work during those commitments. 

Students may have weekend or evening availability for special events; this can be discussed with Engage Chicago program staff and the intern directly. 

Submitting an application

Organizations interested in hosting an intern should complete the Host Site Application.  Engage Chicago staff review submitted host site applications and are available to advise on position descriptions.

Selecting an intern

The Engage Chicago staff team will send the resumes of students who are interested in a specific internship position to the contact person listed on the Host Site Application. Organizations can select a candidate based on their resume alone, request additional materials such as a cover letter, or schedule an interview with candidates.  

Once an organization selects a candidate and a match is confirmed, the student and the internship supervisor meet to outline goals and expectations for the internship before the internship begins.  

During the program

During the eight weeks of the program, we expect interns to receive regular supervision and support, and to be as integrated into the organization as possible given the length of the internship. We partner with organizations that are invested in helping interns have an enriching learning experience while also contributing to the work of the organization. 

At the end of the program, the internship supervisor completes an evaluation of the intern’s performance. 

The Host Site Application opens in mid-February. In 2026, Engage Chicago will conduct two rounds of internship matching; see steps and timelines below.

Organizations are encouraged to apply early to have access to the largest pool of student applicants but are welcome to opt into the matching round that works best. Matching continues until all students are placed in internships.

Round One Matching Timeline
-Organization submits host site application: By mid-March
-Internship opportunities are shared with students: Early April
-Resumes of interested students are shared with organizations: Mid-April
-Interviews are complete and internship matches are confirmed: Late April
-Internships begin: Monday, June 22, 1 p.m.

Round Two Matching Timeline
-Organization submits host site application: By mid-April
-Internship opportunities are shared with students: Late April
-Resumes of interested students are shared with organizations: Early May
-Interviews are complete and internship matches are confirmed: Late May
-Internships begin: Monday, June 22, 1 p.m.

Complete a Host Site Application to provide details about your internship opportunity.

Engage Chicago welcomes applications from community organizations of all sizes and missions. Whether you’re advancing education, public health, the arts, environmental sustainability, or community development, an Engage Chicago student can meaningfully support your efforts.

Contact Engage Chicago (engage.chicago@northwestern.edu) with any questions.