Name: Megan

Year:  Junior

Major(s): MMSS, Economics

CFS Program: Field Studies in Public Health

Employer: USAID Development Credit Authority

 

For many students, the internship search process is one of the most stressful parts of the year. Luckily, Chicago Field Studies makes that process easier. First, CFS has strong relationships with employers. The internal database of job descriptions and student reviews, built up over many years, is an invaluable resource for exploring positions that might interest you.

An initial meeting with Karen Allen, the Associate Director, helped me to identify positions that would align with my skills and goals. The program is supportive of pursuing outside options and accommodative of their varying timelines. For example, the internship I chose, a remote position with USAID’s Development Credit Authority, was not affiliated with the program.

CFS is also aids with resume review and interview preparation, as well as with advice on communicating with employers in general. The search process is very flexible, which is especially important for searching during the summer when most students aren’t in Chicago. For instance, I had Skype meetings with Karen and interviews with employers while abroad.

Finally, when it comes time to choose between offers, CFS is there to help. Through their network, I was able to speak with past interns and make a more informed decision.