For high school students, figuring out what comes after graduation can be both exciting and overwhelming. College, careers and new opportunities can seem to exist somewhere beyond the communities where they grew up—but what if some of those opportunities are already in their own backyard?
For Lincolnway City Lifestyle summer intern Emily Noesen, the chance to learn by doing made a lasting impression. Her experience gave her a firsthand look at journalism and helped confirm that it was a field she wanted to pursue.
“Getting to be an intern for Lincolnway City Lifestyle was one of the most fulfilling things I did last summer,” Emily says. “I loved getting to learn by actually doing the work rather than just hearing about it, and it solidified my passion for journalism.”
Emily’s experience illustrates what the Will County Center for Economic Development hoped to create when it launched the Will County Summer Internship Program: an opportunity for young people to explore their interests, gain meaningful work experience and discover career possibilities close to home.
The program started in 2024 with 350 applications from two participating schools, placing 38 interns with local employers. By 2026, applications had grown to 2,200 from 15 schools, with 125 interns placed.
That growth demonstrates the strong demand for meaningful work experiences among local students. It also highlights an important need: more employers are needed to provide internship opportunities. In 2026 alone, participating interns earned a combined $500,000 through the program, putting wages directly into the hands of young people while giving them valuable professional experience.
The program was created in part to address the number of young people who leave the area after high school without realizing the educational and career opportunities available locally. By connecting students with local businesses and industries, it also helps employers connect with talented young people eager to enter the workforce.
But the experience is about more than a summer job.
One of the program’s hallmarks is that participants are treated as real employees. The experience mirrors the employment process students will encounter after high school, from applying and interviewing to onboarding, working alongside professionals and contributing to an organization.
Internships span a wide range of industries and positions. For Emily, that meant discovering what it actually felt like to work in journalism. For other students, the experience may confirm an existing career interest or reveal that a particular path isn’t the right fit.
The program’s internship leadership team includes administrators from participating school districts, bringing student perspectives and feedback directly into program planning. Those conversations have challenged some of the assumptions adults may have about today’s students.
“They are thoughtful, kind, compassionate, intelligent, and deeply aware of the world around them,” says Jeremiah Anderson, Development Manager. “They want those same values reflected in their schools, workplaces, and communities.”
Jeremiah says the students have taught him about the importance of showing up: for yourself, for others and for your community.
At its core, the Will County Summer Internship Program is about helping young people discover what they want to do—and showing them they may not have to look far to find a place to begin.