Summer Internship- DCFS Eligible Students

• Posted 26-Oct-2026 (CST)
• 1901 W Carroll Ave, Chicago, IL 60612, USA

On behalf of Kaleidoscope, I would like to introduce you to Find Your Future. Find Your Future is a paid summer internship program offered by Kaleidoscope and funded by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Since its inception in 2003, FYF has provided more than 450 students with internships in a range of professional environments that align with the intern's academic concentration.

Eligible program candidates include current or past DCFS youth who are enrolled full-time in college (university or community), participate in Youth in College or Youth in Scholarship programs, in an ILO, TLP, or Foster Care program, and have a GPA of at least 2.0 (see FAQ, which is attached, for more eligibility requirements). Students of all backgrounds and levels of experience are encouraged to apply to this competitive program.

Find Your Future internships are based on a student's academic concentration and summer geographic location, even if the student resides outside of Illinois. Internships begin at the end of May 2027 and end by mid-August 2027. Exact start and end dates may vary depending on an intern's school schedule and internship provider availability.

Prior to students beginning their internship, all are required to attend a four-day mandatory professional curriculum beginning May 25, 2027. Workshops may be conducted virtually or via a hybrid model in Chicago. The curriculum covers topics such as: office etiquette, financial literacy, resume writing, interviewing, professional social media etiquette, team building, a service project, professional networking, and business dinner etiquette. The program also includes optional activities, which allow participants to build peer-to-peer relationship networks.

Upon completion of workshops, students are then eligible to work up to 375 hours throughout the summer, which is compensated at $18 per hour (up to $6750 over the course of the summer).

Interested applicants should apply by completing an application packet to include the following:

• Program Application
• Resume
• Copy of unofficial transcripts with current GPA:
  Freshmen are required to provide their transcripts with GPA at or before their scheduled interview.
• 1 letter of recommendation
• 1-page essay (may be double-spaced):
  Answer the question  Why I should be chosen for the Find Your Future Internship?  If you are an FYF alumnus, please also describe your experience and skills gained from your previous experience, as well as the experience/skills you would like to gain from an additional internship.

To be eligible, complete applications and all required documentation must be submitted by 1/31/2027. Interviews and acceptances will be rolling from 1/01/2027 - 02/25/2027.