Chicago Summer Business institute

At the Chicago Summer Business Institute, today’s students become tomorrow’s leaders. We are committed to helping talented students gain access to jobs so that they can set out on their individual paths to leadership.  See how these leaders are making an impact all over the world!

Applications OPEN FEBRUARY 2023




ABOUT


Founded in 1991 to provide paid summer internships for Chicago high school students and to introduce them to the financial services sector, the Chicago Summer Business Institute’s goals have always remained the same: to give participants an incentive to continue their education while preparing them for the business world.

HOW TO APPLY

  1. First, register your email address to access the application: https://csbi.awardspring.com/. Complete all sections of the application. APPLICATION PORTAL WILL OPEN FEBRUARY 2023
  2. Upload the required forms before you submit:
    • Official High School Transcript
    • Resume
    • Essay
    • Certificate of Income Verification signed by a parent/legal guardian
  3. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation are required. Enter your recommenders’ email addresses in the appropriate section of the application. Recommenders will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their letters. Be sure you follow up with each recommender to ensure that they submit letters.

YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO THE 2023 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM IF:

  • You are a resident of the City of Chicago
  • You are a high school Sophomores and Junior (2022-2023 school year)
  • Maintain a “B” or 3.0 average on your report card
  • Family Household Income below $80,000/year
  • You are able to commit to the daily requirements of the program

GET INVOLVED


BECOME A SPONSOR AND SERVE AS A SUPERVISOR OR MENTOR

100% of CSBI is funded by corporate sponsors. Become a sponsor today.

If your company is able to sponsor an intern, help the student set goals and evaluate the intern while serving as their guide during the 6-week program.

LEAD AS A WORKSHOP FACILITATOR

On Friday afternoons, lead a workshop or assist program coordinators by working with small groups of students.

BE A GUEST SPEAKER AND/OR PANELIST

Discuss your personal and professional experiences and/or share your expertise in your industry in front of the entire intern class, followed by a Q&A session.

HOST A LUNCHEON OR TOUR AT YOUR FIRM

A small group of top-performing interns can meet with you at your office for a more personal interaction to discuss a variety of topics including leadership skills, interpersonal communication, management styles, and elevator pitches.

SPREAD THE WORD

Help us spread the word about CSBI! If you have a relationship with a Chicago school or youth community organization, set up an on-site visit or presentation for students who are eligible to apply to encourage them to connect with CSBI.

If you’re ready to get involved, please email info@chicagobusinessinstitute.com

Make a personal contribution to CSBI; check to see if you firm has a company-match program.

HELP CSBI STUDENTS BECOME LEADERS OF TOMORROW.

Every dollar donated will help students realize their potential and influence.

For your convenience, you may make a credit/bank card donation by clicking the “Donate” button below. 

The Chicago Summer Business Institute appreciates your generosity and belief in our students. Thank you!

IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO MAIL A DONATION, PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO:

Chicago Summer Business Institute
P.O. Box 64445
Chicago, IL 60664

STORIES

Shaelyn Otikor

Shaelyn Otikor completed the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) program over twenty years ago and believes it was a vital part of her success as an adult. Growing up in a blue-collar household on Chicago’s South Side, Shaelyn did not imagine herself pursuing a career in business until taking part in CSBI. CSBI taught her that she was not limited to certain career paths and that people like her could pursue a career in finance. After CSBI, Shaelyn attended DePaul University and got her MBA from the Booth School at the University of Chicago. Shaelyn is a vice president and relationship manager at Northern Trust Corporation. She believes CSBI opened her eyes to new possibilities for herself as a person. She also believes the program helps high performing students focus while showing them their own potential.

Yesenia Salgado

Yesenia Salgado participated in the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) program twice. In her first year, she completed an internship with Siebert Brandford Shank and Co. and came back for a second year to intern with CSBI itself. The most memorable task she completed was reading a book about bonds for Siebert Brandford Shank and Co. which inspired her to pursue a career in finance. Yesenia is thankful to the program for showing her how to complete a resume, interview, and more of the skills that are essential to pursuing a career in the business world. CSBI showed Yesenia that she could be a part of the finance world in downtown Chicago.

Kiana Richards

Kiana Richards lives in Chicago and is pursuing a career in real estate. Kiana is an alumnus of the Chicago Summer Business Institute program (CSBI) and points to CSBI as a reason for her success as an adult. While part of the program, Kiana interned with the City of Chicago which gave her the opportunity to attend a City Hall meeting where she was able to observe how buildings in the city get their building permits. This inspired her to go to grad school in commercial real estate. She believes the program showed her how to be more self-sufficient, a skill that has continued to serve her in the years since completing the program. The program helped her remain focused and taught her valuable time-management skills.

Samuel Owusu

Samuel Owusu attends Davidson College in North Carolina. He is heavily involved with the African Students Association, volunteering, and student government. Through the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI), Samuel interned at the City of Chicago Department of Finance in the accounts receivable department where he completed a vast array of tasks. Unlike many of the students in the CSBI program Samuel is not pursuing a career in finance. He is a Political Science major who hopes to run for office someday. His internship at the Chicago Department of Finance allowed him to meet many local Chicago politicians, including Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. Samuel wants to pursue politics to advance causes he believes in, like improving education. Samuel believes that the internship taught him the importance of being on time, being focused, and being organized, skills that carry over to school, and his chosen field. He credits the CSBI internship with teaching him how to speak up for himself and to advocate for the issues he believes in. In the little downtime Samuel has, he likes to play video games and workout.

Maryfer Palacios

Maryfer Palacios grew up in Chicago in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. She attends Holy Trinity High School where she participates in many extracurricular activities including basketball, art club, robotics, and many more student organizations. Maryfer interned with Cabrera Capital Markets through Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI). She completed a range of tasks including filing, working with spreadsheets, and helping out in the office wherever possible. Although the work was difficult, she felt like she learned how to be professional. The experience was valuable in that it helped Maryfer realize that she does not want to do a traditional desk job. She would instead like to be out in the world where she can do the most good, possibly a medical career. Maryfer believes that her internship helped her in her classes because it helped her learn how better to interact and communicate with other people, in particular she feels her public speaking skills have grown dramatically. The internship taught her that people like her can have a place in the professional world of downtown Chicago.

Mubin Hira

Mubin Hira lives in Albany Park in Chicago with his parents and two older siblings. Mubin attends the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where he is undeclared but is leaning towards a finance-related major. He is involved in Phi Beta Lambda, an organization dedicated to cultivating business leaders. Through the Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) he served as an accounting intern with the City of Chicago Department of Finance where his greatest accomplishment was completing an actual accounting journal entry. While working with CSBI, Mubin learned that he could get his career started, even though he’s still a student. He believes that once you open your first door in your career, it leads to other doors opening. Growing up Mubin never saw himself working in finance downtown, but through CSBI he has realized that people in finance are real people just like him, and that the work of finance is rewarding and important. He considers his relationship with CSBI to be ongoing, even once his internship ends. In his spare time, Mubin likes to play basketball and listen to hip hop.