Access Paid Internships in Chicago

Urban Alliance was invited to bring paid internships to Chicago in 2012, serving 71 students from just seven high schools that first year. Urban Alliance also offers professional development workshops to schools and nonprofit organizations to bring critical skills training to even more Chicago youth. The program currently partners with more than 25 high schools and nearly 60 businesses in the city. 

In 2017, Urban Alliance partnered with the Obama Foundation to launch the Obama Youth Job Corps (OYJC) to increase access to economic opportunity for high school students in Chicago’s South Side communities. Since the launch of OYJC, we have provided over 1,700 10th and 11th graders from Chicago Public Schools with job skills training and an additional 650 12th graders with intensive workforce readiness training, and paid internships. Through workforce readiness training and early, meaningful work experience at businesses throughout the city, OYJC students get the skills, experience, and exposure to succeed. 

View our Chicago Valued Partners here.

To learn more about our Chicago program, please contact a member of our team.

Locations and Contact Information
218 South Wabash Avenue
Suite 600
Chicago, IL 60604
Tel: 312.496.3300
Fax: 312.291.8420
Contact Us

The Urban Alliance High School Internship Program is a paid nine-month program for high school seniors that includes professional development training, paid internships, and one-on-one support.

Applications for Urban Alliance’s Chicago 
High School Internship Program have closed. 

Chicago Partners

Get Involved

Rising Seniors

Class of 2024 Applications are now open.

Are you interested in a paid internship during the 2023-2024 school year? Apply now for the Urban Alliance High School Internship Program!

You may be eligible if you are:

  • Currently a junior on track to graduate in June 2025
  • Authorized for an off-campus/early release schedule

Important Dates

  • Priority Application Deadline: April 19, 2024
  • Final Application Deadline: May 3, 2024
Rising Juniors

*Application for the 2023-2024 school year coming soon*

Do you want to get a jump start on your career? You may be eligible to apply for the Obama Youth Jobs Corps junior program if you are currently a sophomore at Hyde Park Academy High School, Kenwood Academy High School, and meet the following criteria:

  • Have at least a 2.5 GPA and a strong attendance record
  • Are on track to graduate
  • Able to attend training sessions 3 hours/week

Employ Youth. Inspire Excellence.

In partnership with over 200 employers, we level the playing field for young people in the workforce by equipping them with the tools to overcome the systemic barriers that prevent equal access to economic opportunity.