Alignment

High school interns, hosted this summer by more than a dozen of Alignment’s partners, gained knowledge and experience in how businesses operate from designing marketing plans and developing social media communications to understanding financial performance and the critical role of customer service and retention. Other students excelled at culinary and hospitality experiences, governmental affairs, video production, media releases, etc.

Students were placed in multiple industry clusters ranging from automotive dealerships to financial institutions along with municipal and non-profit business exposure. Host partners shared career experiences in accounting, business communications, finance, and marketing showing students that this industry sector of careers exist in all types of businesses from large corporations and branch operations to small business ventures.

Information technology internships were also very popular with students having opportunities available in the private sector but also within the region’s school districts. Ranjani Venkataraman, from Jacobs High School, an intern for Fox Valley Internet, worked in individual and business marketing while also making progress in gaining industry recognized certifications.  He described what he saw and what goals he is working toward. “I went to a data center that looked like it came out of a spy movie. I also did some cybersecurity training and am almost at an NSE certification.”

Twenty-five students from Bartlett, Central, Elgin, Jacobs, Larkin, South Elgin, and Streamwood were selected for these internships across the region with assignments varying from a 60-hour opportunity to full summer employment opportunities.  Four students had the exciting opportunity to work all summer at four different Wintrust bank locations. Another student gained experience at KCT Credit Union. Sharlene Manuel Cano from Streamwood High School reflected on her experience sharing that the experience at KCT “helped me learn so much about the different positions and responsibilities that exist in managing a financial institution.” From banquet preparation to culinary presentations, students also had the opportunity for experience in event planning as a full summer experience working with Bartlett Hills Golf Clubs & Banquets learning about kitchen productivity in a fast-paced environment. 

Across all twenty-five internships, students clearly experienced the importance of being on-time and ready to work with customer service as one of their highest priorities. Alignment is most appreciative to the array of business and community partners that made these experiences possible for students as they work to shape their future career plans:

Bartlett Hills Golf Club & Banquets
Bob Loquercio Auto Group
Boys and Girls Club
Central School District 301
Centro De Informacion
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce
Fox Valley Internet
Golden Corridor YMCA
KCT Credit Union
Office of Representative Anna Moeller
School District U-46
Village of Bartlett
Village of Hanover Park
Wintrust

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc., Judson University, and WT Group provided 12 students from school districts U-46, 300 and 301 internship opportunities showcasing their organizations and the work they do in the region. Through these internships, students were exposed to a wide range of specialties within these career fields including civil, environmental, and structural engineering, architecture, interior and exterior design, surveying, drone technology, computer-aided design applications, 3D modeling, bridge and traffic design projects, etc.

These internships offered a backbone of knowledge for those students wanting to pursue a career in the fields of architecture and civil engineering along with various other professions that are essential to that work. Edgardo Perez Maldonado, chair of the Architecture and Interior Design Department at Judson University, states “we are working with simple elements of architecture, teaching our fellows and interns to understand the principles of design.” Not only were students able to learn the key fundamentals of what it is like to pursue degrees in architecture or civil engineering, but they were able to participate in various activities such as simulating different terrains on a sand table, visiting construction sites, utilizing GIS technology, building bridge prototypes, and flying drones. Yandel Garcia, an intern at HLR and student from Larkin High School, is one of the interns who was able to participate in these creative activities. He goes on to share “It was an awesome week with HLR and another week at Judson to include visits to Risepointe and Anguleris.  Both weeks helped merge my goals from what I learned and what I see myself doing in the future.” These were just some of the many things Yandel and his fellow interns experienced during this internship. 

Being on-site and observing these interns learn and execute various activities was very awe-inspiring and demonstrated that the fields of architecture and engineering are much more than just science and math as students incorporated the arts, design, and technology in all aspects of the internship. Natalia Najjar, an intern at WT Group from Bartlett High School, states “I learned a lot more about the specific things done by each professional field helping me have a better idea of which one I want to pursue.” This internship allowed students like Natalia, who are considering careers in the fields of architecture, building construction, design, civil engineering, and surveying to get a glimpse of all those professions and the educational preparation necessary to qualify to work in these high-demand fields.

Thank you to Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc., Judson University, and WT Group for providing this comprehensive internship experience for students from Bartlett, Central, Dundee Crown, Hampshire, Jacobs, and Larkin high schools.

Article by Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School
Video Producer: Addison Tinerella, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, South Elgin High School
Video Assistant: Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School

This summer, ten high school students from school districts U-46, 300, and 301 had the opportunity to participate in the First Responder Internship offered by the Bartlett Police Department, Hanover Park Fire Department, and Hanover Township Emergency Services. This internship allows students to explore all aspects of this career pathway as it gives them a chance to get a feel for what it would be like to work in jobs such as criminal justice, emergency response, fire safety, forensic science, healthcare, and public safety. 

Between practicing search and seizure scenarios and fingerprint collection at the Bartlett Police Department, earning CPR certifications at the Hanover Park Fire Department along with using drone technology at Hanover Township Emergency Services, this internship offers many hands-on opportunities that help prepare these interns for the workforce. Aside from learning about First Responder careers, students have been able to form bonds with one another and create ever-lasting memories. Karissa Hernandez, a student from Dundee Crown High School, goes on to say “… It’s like a community here. They really are brothers and sisters.” 

As a high school intern for the Alignment Collaborative for Education, I had the great opportunity to be on-site and witness all of the captivating activities taking place. I was blown away by the vast amount of career paths they get to explore as well as all the different aspects of each one respectively. I learned an immense amount of valuable information solely by watching these interns. This internship helps prepare students going into the First Responder industry, giving them a strong grasp of what it is truly like to work in this field while also gaining valuable life skills that they can carry with them no matter the career. Any students who have even the slightest bit of interest in any of the career paths associated with being a First Responder should consider applying for this internship in the summer of 2025. It is a great opportunity with an even greater reward.

Article by Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School
Video Producer: Addison Tinerella, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, South Elgin High School
Video Assistant: Imaan Azeem, Alignment Collaborative for Education Intern, Elgin High School