Summer Links (University Community Service Center)

Summer Links is an intensive 10-week, paid internship program for 30 returning College and graduate students committed to public service, community building and social change. Started in 1997 and sponsored by the Dean of the College, Summer Links has placed over 450 students in substantive internships with more than 200 nonprofit and public sector organizations throughout the Chicago area.

Summer Links challenges students to go beyond the classroom- to expand their definition of 'readings' to include relationships, interactions, and observations; and to confront one another's perspectives and experiences. Summer Links interns extend the classroom to the community, put theory into practice, and then become their peers' link to the wider community of Chicago once they return to classes in the fall.

30 students are selected for participation in the program each summer, and are matched with internships at various non-profit organizations throughout Chicago. Students receive $4,000 for their program participation from June 24, 2013 to August 30th, 2013. The summer begins with a one-week Orientation that familiarizes students with each other, and with Chicago, while laying out the main themes for the summer and norms of group discussion. For the next 10 weeks (late June through end of August) interns work at their host organization Monday through Thursday, full time. Fridays are dedicated to trainings based on a specific social justice issue. Trainings take place in diverse Chicago neighborhoods and connect interns with community members of varying perspectives. Interns also meet together Wednesday evenings for group discussion about issues that come up during the week.

In total, 12,000 hours are worked by Summer Linkers over the course of the summer.

Information sessions:

• Monday, October 22, 6-7pm, Harper 130
• Thursday, November 15, 8-9pm, Harper 140
• Wednesday, December 5, 6-7pm, Stuart 101
• Tuesday, January 8, 6-7pm, Harper 130

Important dates:

• Application Deadline: January 17, 2013
• Student Interviews: Feb. 21- March 1, 2013
• Notification of Application Decision: March 4, 2013
• Internship Matching Process: April 1- April 12, 2013

Application information:

Clear here to access the application.

View FAQs here. For more information or any questions in regards to the Summer Links program or application process please contact Student Intern Deborah Capiro at summerlinks.ucsc@gmail.com or Program Director Trudi Langendorf at trudi@uchicago.edu or (773) 834-2699.