February 06, 2025
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Will County CED summer intern program expands

Openings for 146 internships

By Bob Okon
Kayla Sorensen, Will County Center for Economic Development Director of Investor Relations, speaks at the celebration of the first Will County Summer Internship Program organized by the Will County Center for Economic Development on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 in Joliet.

Kayla Sorensen, director of investor relations for the Will County Center for Economic Development, spoke to interns and employers at an August event celebrating the first year of the program. (Gary Middendorf)

The Will County Center for Economic Development internship program has five times as many summer jobs available in its second year.

Students in participating high schools have until Feb. 21 to apply for the paid internships.

“We had spots for 38 kids last year,” said Kayla Sorensen, director of investor relations at the CED. “For this summer, we have spots for 146 kids.”

The number of participating high schools has grown, too.

In its inaugural year, the program was open only to students in the Joliet Township High School District.

This year, the Joliet school district is participating again. Joining are the Lockport Township and Valley View school districts, the Wilco Area Career Center, Joliet Catholic Academy and Providence Catholic High School.

Dr. Karla Guseman, Joliet Township High School Superintendent, acknowledges her students at the celebration of the first Will County Summer Internship Program organized by the Will County Center for Economic Development on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 in Joliet.

Karla Guseman, superintendent at the Joliet Township High School District, acknowledges her students at an August event to celebrate the first year of the Will County Center for Economic Development internship program. (Gary Middendorf)

“We’re looking to expand even more next year,” Sorensen said.

So far, the program has received 380 applications for the openings. Some positions have attracted several applications. Others have attracted none.

Sorensen said the CED is encouraging students in the participating school districts to continue to apply.

“We are definitely still looking for applicants for several different positions,” she said.

Those interested should visit the CED website, which is willcountyced.com. The program appears on the home page.

“It’s our banner right now, and it’s easy to navigate,” Sorensen said.

Summer interns and Joliet West student Angela Ayivor, left, and Reid Hogan, right, talk before the start of the celebration of the first Will County Summer Internship Program organized by the Will County Center for Economic Development on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 in Joliet.

Summer interns and Joliet West students Angela Ayivor, left, and Reid Hogan, right, talk about their experience before before the start of an event in August celebrating the first year of the program. (Gary Middendorf)

Many of the participating employers are local governments and nonprofits. Others include a manufacturer, power station and auto shop.

Both Ascension Saint Joseph–Joliet hospital and Silver Cross Hospital are hiring interns through the program.

So are the Harbor Freight Tools and Ikea distribution centers.

Sorensen said the CED program has helped create an avenue for local employers who already were looking to start internship programs.

All internships are paid, which is one of the requirements of the CED program.

“We are so proud of the expansion,” Sorensen said. “All of our school partners have been absolutely fantastic about this. They are pushing it out to the students.”

Students should know by mid-April if they’re hired. All internships start in May once the school year has ended for students.

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