Institute of Politics

Organization Overview:

The Chicago Board of Education ("Board") is a governing body partially elected and appointed by the mayor and is responsible for the oversight of Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This is the last school year (AY 25-26) of partially appointed Board members. In January 2027, CPS will have a fully elected Board. CPS is committed to transparency, and working with the Board is a vital part of ensuring that every action we take is thoughtful, equitable, and meets our high standards of excellence and integrity. The Board ensures CPS is progressing toward its long-term goal of providing a high-quality, world-class education for every student in every neighborhood in Chicago.

Internship Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and motivated undergraduate intern to join our team. Our organization plays a pivotal role in the field, working closely with the Board of Education to ensure the smooth operation of our educational institution. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in our daily operations, gain a deep understanding of our organizational processes, and provide valuable support to our administrators. You will primarily focus on supporting the Board of Education Monthly Approval Process and providing general assistance to the Chief Executive Office. Other project assignments will take into account the current need of the department, as well as the Intern's existing and desired skills.

Responsibilities:

• Manage office administration and procedures, to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency within the CEO Board team.
• Serve as a line of communication for internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide organizational support with routine office work, including proof reading documents.
• Manage follow-ups to Board member inquiries and work with internal departments to ensure responses are submitted.
• Assist in managing systems and processes related to the CPS Board of Education Monthly Approval Process, including the documentation for each month’s upcoming meeting
• Provide support during Board briefings and lead follow-ups as requested by the Board of Education.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Enrolled in a undergraduate program, preferably in business or public administration
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and the ability to review documents for accuracy and consistency.
• Self-motivated with a strong work ethic and the ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Adept at managing multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

About the Internship Supervisor:

Your internship supervisor will be Jim O’Reilly. He is the Senior Project Manager for the Board Team in the Chief Executive Office.

Location/Modality:

Our team primarily works in-office and the amount of onsite work will ideally be a conversation between our staff and intern. Note, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are days with a lot of deadlines, so those would be good days to be in the office. Our offices are located at the following address: 42 W. Madison St. Chicago, IL 60602

Eligibility:

• Domestic and International students
• Graduate students

Start and End Date:

The Academic Year internships will take place according to the IOP’s timeline, with specific dates and weekly hours to be determined by the employer partner and intern during the interview process:

• Onboarding: November – December 2026
• Intern Work Period: January – May 2027