TechWorks Internship Program:
Creating New Career Opportunities in Technology
2009 Summer Information
Technology Internships
for Chicago’s High School and College Students with Disabilities
2009 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
For the first time, disabilityworks at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities are proud to offer a summer internship program designed specifically for Chicago high school and college students with disabilities interested in careers in information technology, "IT". The School to Work Initiative will provide 20 students with the exclusive opportunity to participate in an 8 week internship with some of Chicago’s most prestigious corporations.
The TechWorks Internship Program’s Four Main Objectives:
• Enable students with disabilities to gain real-world work experience and further enhance employment opportunities in "IT".
• Increase students’ current "IT" skills and explore information technology as a possible career choice.
• Increase placement in "IT" jobs for interns who complete the program.
• With exposure to highly competent interns, TechWorks seeks to break down stereotypes and
help eliminate employer fears about the limitations of persons with disabilities.
• Increase students’ current "IT" skills and explore information technology as a possible career choice.
• Increase placement in "IT" jobs for interns who complete the program.
• With exposure to highly competent interns, TechWorks seeks to break down stereotypes and
help eliminate employer fears about the limitations of persons with disabilities.
Eligibility
• Current high school or college students, age 16 years or older, living or going to school in the City of Chicago are invited to apply regardless of disability.
• Students must be able to legally work in the U.S., and be in good academic standing.
• Not all students who apply will be accepted.
Here's How It Works:
• Students can download an application on this page by clicking below, or by calling one of the contact phone numbers at the bottom of this page.
• TechWorks will begin identifying and interviewing students starting in October, 2008 and begin presenting those candidates to employers in January, 2009.
• It will be the student’s responsibility to prepare for their internships, i.e. additional computer classes, job readiness skills, workshops, job coaching, etc. The preparation steps will depend on the student’s and the employer’s requirements. TechWorks will assist students in identifying sources for this training.
• Once an intern is selected for the TechWorks program, he or she will be given a "Plan of Work" which will outline job requirements and expectations. Interns with disabilities might require accommodations ranging from schedule flexibility to allow for medication regimens, assistive equipment, like computers, or services such as sign language interpreters. We will make every effort to assist with providing a workplace accommodation to enable an individual with a disability to participate in or benefit from internship opportunities resulting from TechWorks, barring undue hardship.
• TechWorks will screen candidates, set up interviews and maintain regular contact throughout the internship.
For more information contact: Catherine Marsden, TechWorks Project Coordinator,
(312) 730-2271, TTY (312) 744-4964 email: info@chicagotechworks.org
Note: The paid and unpaid internships are supported by a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, (DCEO), which is made possible through the leadership of Director Jack Lavin and is part of Governor Pat Quinn's Workforce Development Initiative. The TechWorks Initiative is administered through disabilityworks at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities(MOPD) provides technical assistance.
TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK ON THE STUDENT PAGE BELOW
Sponsors
