(Above) 2018 Summer Associate Emily Fletcher discusses her experience as a Civic Consulting Alliance Summer Associate.
Summer Associate
The Summer Associate Program is a prestigious summer internship opportunity for graduate students to work in public sector consulting, create a civic network, and have a lasting, positive impact on Chicago and the broader region. Summer Associates participate in a specialized training program focused on core consulting, analytical problem solving, and project management skills.
They are then placed on teams working on a specific, high-impact client project for a public sector client working in education, public safety, healthcare, or economic development.
In addition to substantial client work, throughout the summer Summer Associates will have exposure to senior civic executives and peers who are active in the civic sector through a series of networking events.
High performing Summer Associates are asked often to join Civic Consulting as Senior Associates after graduation.
I would not be in the job I am without Civic Consulting. Business school would not have done it. Business school didn’t know how to do it.
Kelly Ruppel
Chief of Staff, Madison Metropolitan School District
Former Civic Consulting Alliance Summer Associate
FEATURED SUMMER ASSOCIATES:
Chief of Staff
Madison Metropolitan School District
Kelly Ruppel
Joined Civic Consulting as: Summer Associate
"When I talk to someone coming out of business school who’s looking at Civic Consulting, I tell them it’s about investing in yourself. Building your skills and network to get to the next step."
"They’re very good at setting up the right structures and processes for success. It’s about giving someone independence while closely supervising. I never felt micromanaged. Never."
"You’ll be brought to these high-level meetings. Three weeks on the job and you’re presenting to the CEO of the Chicago Public Schools? No other consulting firm invests in its younger people like that."
Senior Associate
Civic Consulting Alliance
Sara Wasserteil
Joined Civic Consulting as: Summer Associate
"I was given ownership of my project from start to finish. During my summer, I researched best practices, interviewed more than 40 organizations across the city, and created recommendations based on what I had learned. At the end of my fellowship, I presented a comprehensive strategy to our clients – a dynamic group of leaders from nonprofits, the business community, funders, Chicago Public Schools, and the Mayor’s Office – to help them advance their agenda two years ahead of schedule."
"You receive excellent job training as soon as you arrive. Scoping and storylining, creating workplans, running efficient meetings, and drafting effective powerpoint decks – these consulting skills provide a foundation for your fellowship and will serve you throughout your professional career."
"When I returned to graduate school after my fellowship, the experiences and skills I gained from Civic Consulting were invaluable. My consulting abilities were put to use soon after my return – as part of my public policy curriculum, I worked with CPS on a project that required the same critical problem solving and client engagement techniques that I honed at Civic Consulting."