"I enjoy having interns from the Chicago Semester program for several reasons: they have a meaningful, real-world experience; my firm benefits from the tangible contribution interns make during tax season; and the program gives me an opportunity to mentor students at an early, strategic point in their professional life so they can take their next steps with confidence. Working with Chicago Semester students has confirmed our priority to recruit at small liberal arts colleges because the students are well prepared to interact with our clients."
Paul Johnson, CPA and Partner
Coleman, Epstein and Berlin
"The two interns our firm worked with were responsible, motivated, outgoing students who we enjoyed having in our office. They were very helpful and we believe they learned a lot about our business. We would definitely consider another intern from Chicago Semester."
Carol Salb, President and Owner
Design Resource I
"Our interns flourish with the experience they receive at our firm. They gain a wide array of knowledge, ranging from practical stuff such as what it's like to work in a professional office to more advanced skills like discussing issues with clients.
We have had contact with Chicago Semester since 1991. We keep in contact with many of our former interns. All of them would agree that they profited from their experience with us and enjoyed being part of our team."
Deborah Kenning, Partner
Duggan, Kenning & Gemini, LLC
"The intern program is a win-win for both the student and the company. They learn on-the-job and we get a new perspective of our systems and projects. Most importantly, the intern students have been dependable, enthusiastic and hard working! We appreciate the opportunity to be involved with the CS program."
Debbie Marchok, Vice President of Marketing
The Eli's Cheesecake Company
"Our company benefited greatly by participating in the Chicago Semester program. The benefits we received were:
- Smart, personable, hard-working student to work on a much-needed project
- An enthusiastic personality that energized the entire team and office environment
- The ability to step away from day-to-day work and really give back by helping to mentor a very motivated person
As we were a new site, the CS program definitely helped prepare us through a formal workshop (in your wonderful new facility). I believe with anything in life, you get out what you put into it, fortunately with the structure of your program and the quality of the students you work with, I believe we got back much more than we put in."
Mark Homer, Director, Product Development
eshots, Inc.
"I have supervised several interns at Euro RSCG in the past. Some of them earned school credits; others were paid a low hourly rate. Working with Chicago Semester helped me refine my program for interns, thus enabling interns to learn in a more structured manner and becoming a resource to me sooner during the internship. Having a third party (CS) forced me to think through the internship and create a structure program incl. training objectives."
Lin Yelton, Director of Production Services
Euro RSCG Tatham Partners
"Working with a student from Chicago Semester was a great experience both professionally and personally. Our daily interactions and the student's many excellent questions encouraged me to analyze and re-think some old ideas and create some new ones. We both learned and grew. Helping her discover and polish her skills and talents was exciting! What a terrific program!"
Jennifer Heckathorne, Preprimary Diagnostic Program
Evanston-Skokie School District 65
"Chicago Semester has been an excellent source for outstanding interns! Each student that has worked in our office has been mature, extremely professional and, most importantly, very talented. The interns that we have been fortunate to host have been real assets to the Field Museum, and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with the Chicago Semester program."
Sam Burns, Employment Manager
The Field Museum
"This is a wonderfully beneficial internship program both for the host site and for the student. I have had the good fortune of marvelous interns over the last six years. They are talented, committed and ready to work. The Field Museum has grown to count on our relationship with Chicago Semester. I look forward to many good years and interns to come!"
Jean Cattell, Graphic Design Manager, Exhibit Department
The Field Museum
"Our Chicago Semester interns have been eager, earnest, knowledgeable and open to new experiences. By providing good supervision and expecting concrete results, we gained an effective extra hand for the period of the thirteen-week internship."
Peter Eckart, Director of Management Information Systems
Jane Addams Hull House Asso.
"Our CS interns have all been great. They come to their assignments with energy, enthusiasm, and positive attitudes. And, by the way, they get things done. They make it exciting to be a part of their development process, and their 'new eyes' help us to learn as much as they do. We can't wait for our next opportunity to have a CS intern on board."
Tracy Adams, Trainer, Vice President
Treasury Management Support Services, LaSalle Bank Corporation
"We look forward to helping out students as they determine a career direction. We offer an opportunity to experience what it is like to be an Event Manger at Navy Pier. If an intern finds they are interested in this line of work, they can establish many contacts while with us, and possibly a job opportunity.
In general, an intern can get what they want out of their experience with us at Navy Pier. Fortunately for us, most are enthusiastic about our business and can take something away from this experience."
Anthony C. Camarillo, Senior Director of Conventions and Sales
Navy Pier
"The great part about hosting an intern from Chicago Semester is getting a fresh look at your business. These young men and women come with new ideas and an eagerness to contribute. Our Chicago Semester interns have been responsible for helping to implement several, long-term company initiatives."
Jim Jacobs, Office Administrator
OAK Design & Construction
"It has always been a pleasure to accept Chicago Semester students. I find them to be bright and ready to work. Furthermore, the extra attention that Chicago Semester gives to each internship helps ensure a successful placement every time by providing a framework of accountability on both sides. Most importantly, the Christian perspective on work that is taught to these students will help them to make invaluable contributions to future employers and their own careers."
Jim Boss, Supervisor, Desktop Services
S & C Electric Company
"Our first experience with your program was a smashing success. The interview process was critical in assuring the right fit. Our intern was an asset to our business and a most pleasant person - capable of taking on any responsibility. If he were not going home to Korea, we would gladly have had him as an employee. What more can I say?"
Larry P. Horist, President
TJI International, Inc.
"I worked with a nursing student intern for a semester last year. I feel it was a very positive experience for me. Sharing my knowledge with an enthusiastic student motivated me to improve my own skills as a nurse. Our clients enjoyed having her as a caregiver and it was often very helpful to have an extra pair of hands."
Vida Bartasius, Staff Nurse, Labor and Delivery
University of Illinois Medical Center
"I have had the unique opportunity to both be an intern with Chicago Semester and also, now, to supervise them. I know from personal experience what an amazing semester this is for students. Being on the other side I am now able to identify with them in this exciting adventure! Having an intern from Chicago Semester is a valuable experience! We have had a variety of interns in different departments and have been pleased with each one. The interns we have worked with have brought a fresh perspective on things and are willing and excited to learn just about anything in the working world! My current intern has not only pitched in and taken on a lot of responsibility, but she teaches me new things on a daily basis as well. The Chicago Semester not only provides competent and enthusiastic interns, but also has a wonderful staff that will help you find the best intern for your company!"
Meghan McGovern, Human Resources Coordinator
World Travel BTI
--July 2005