"Who uses mobile technology more than youth? They can give you incredible insight into how youth will experience your apps.”

- Jill Sherman | IBM

The Pre-Professional Internship Program

​Pre-professional internships feature technology professionals mentoring small groups of aspiring coding students through hands-on, project-based activities.

​Students develop soft skills, such as collaboration, creativity, communication, leadership, and responsibility, along with problem-solving, analytical thinking, and core technical skills.
Details
  • Start Date:  July 1st
  • Duration:  6 to 8 weeks
  • Hours:  20 hours a week
  • # of Interns:  2 to 3 recommended (provides a built-in buddy system)
  • Intern Age:  16 to 24
  • Evaluations:  Midpoint & Final 
Student Requirements
Open to all students' ages 16 to 24 years old who have:
  • Completed a minimum of 120 hours of Swift training w/ demonstrated progress towards or completion of Level 1 App Development with Swift Certification
  • Created a digital portfolio of themselves representing their passion/goals, skills summary, projects, relevant coursework, and/or work experience
  • Received a recommendation letter from a teacher, professor, academic adviser or employer
Skill Levels
Foundational:  Some programming experience, Swift programming training, good computer skills, familiar with Office Suite type products.

Intermediate:  Extensive programming experience, AP programming classes completed or equivalent work experience, Swift programming training and familiarity with Mobile App Development.
Employer Resources
Employer Concierge Services
  • Project scoping services
  • Employer checkpoints on project status
  • Intern checkpoints on project status
One Summer Chicago Services
  • Candidate skill/fit matching for interviews
  • Handle HR/Payroll functions (if needed)
  • Intern checkpoints with coach
  • Employer handbook
Sample Projects
 Ideas for possible internship activities include:
  • Creating a project plan to add new features to an existing app
  • Building simple app features for a demo
  • Discussing ideas for user interface improvements
  • Prototyping creative technical solutions
Dow Chemical #1
Dow Chemical #2
GE Transportation
IBM

"Pre-professional internships are starting to change the way we think about hiring. We're a big name and we're losing talent to our competitors. We need to start cultivating our talent rather than hiring at the senior level.”

- Tim Freund | Kirkland & Ellis LLP

WHY SWIFT
​Swift is the future of mobility and is one of the fastest growing languages.  While other languages offer broad adoption, none is as optimized for mobile.  The compiler is optimized for performance and the language is optimized for development, without compromising on either.   In addition, Xcode, combined with Swift, provides a friendly environment for new programmers. Swift is an industrial-quality programming language that’s as expressive and enjoyable as a scripting language. Writing Swift code in a playground lets you experiment with code and see the results immediately, without the overhead of building and running an app.
What kind of projects should I expect to develop for students?
Successful companies have used projects that will add value to their existing operations instead of trying to “make work” for students.  While most of the One Summer and Genesys Works students will be at the equivalent of just below a Junior Front End Developer level, the City College students will be more experienced in this area.
What if we’re not a Swift shop?
Some of the work-based learning experiences for non-Swift shops include, but are not limited to:
  • Prototyping and UI/UX projects
  • Back-end service connections like AWS, etc.
  • Leveraging students to develop a mobile strategy.
  • Explore possibilities with AR/VR or other frameworks within iOS.
  • Testing (QA)
What level of assistance will I get?
​There may be wage assistance/cost offset available based on need.  An employee concierge can assist with some project scoping if companies need additional assistance.
 
Employer orientation sessions will provide a comprehensive overview of guidelines to ensure a successful work-based learning program.  Experienced members from the organization will work directly with participating employers to scope out meaningful work to meet organizational goals and learning outcomes as well as answer questions throughout the experience. An employer handbook and orientation as well as ongoing support from the different organizations will be available.
How much time is the employer commitment?
One Summer Chicago and Genesys Works require 20 hours of work a week. We have seen other companies successfully provide different models of internships such as hosting cohorts of students engaging in group work. IBM offered time to study Swift and others gave students autonomy. City Colleges of Chicago students, because many have been employed before, will expect a more rigorous work environment that is aligned to traditional work settings.
How does Apple support this initiative?
​Apple created Swift, the curriculum used to teach Swift, and has teamed with Certiport to create an industry-recognized certification. Apple has trained 180 teachers and instructors in Chicago on Swift Playgrounds and Swift.  Apple has entered into a partnership with Northwestern University and Chicago Public Schools to create the Lane Tech Center for Excellence in Computer Science. The goal of the Lane Tech Center for Excellence is to provide ongoing training and research for the Chicago community. 
 
Apple representatives have committed hundreds of hours of volunteer efforts with subject matter expertise in helping students to succeed.  Lastly, Apple has been able to support hosting and promoting the App Showcases, where students and companies share their work. The Showcases traditionally take place in the spring and summer.
​Other ways I can participate?
​During each cohort, many companies are setting time to come and speak on certain topics not covered in the curriculum.  Some companies have chosen to mentor students.  Some companies have donated equipment, licenses, money and additional time to help students.  In addition, we’re exploring the idea of companies working directly with specific high school who have adopted coding to help with mentoring and speaking opportunities.

Participating Companies

Accenture*
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Chicago Portfolio School
Dow Chemical Company
Fossil Group
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
IBM
Iris Reading
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Kirkland & Ellis LLP*
​Rush University Medical Center
Twenty One Twelve Marketing
University of Chicago | The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation
University of Illinois Hospital & Health Science System
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