1871 - Talent Engagement Intern

The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn't about the fire. It's about what happened next. It was a remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects, and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations – born of passion and practical ingenuity – shaped Chicago and the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day.

1871 inspires, equips, and supports founders, growth scalers, and innovators in building great businesses. We deliver unfair advantages at scale. The team supports members made up of Chicago's brightest digital designers, engineers, and leaders shaping new technologies, disrupting old business models, and resetting the boundaries of what's possible.

Come to a place where you can share ideas, make mistakes, partner with others, work hard, grow professionally, and change the world with a bit of luck. If that sounds like you, join us!

Time Commitment

This internship is from June 5 to August 7, 2025, and is virtual with occasional on-site collaboration. Hours and time commitment may be flexible if agreed upon by the supervisor and the internship candidate prior to the start of the internship.

Duties and Responsibilities

This internship will focus on enhancing member engagement with talent-related resources. Responsibilities include:

• Research and recommend ways to drive greater adoption of 1871’s talent benefits.
• Evaluate existing talent offerings and provide insights on optimization.
• Identify opportunities to expand resources available to members.
• Assist with outreach to members to increase awareness and participation in talent programs.
• Track and analyze engagement metrics to assess the impact of initiatives.
• Provide administrative and strategic support to the Director of Talent Programs.

• Currently enrolled at an accredited university (recent grads will also be considered) with a focus in business, human resources, or a related field preferred.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides) and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Interest in talent engagement, HR, and startup ecosystems.

• Letters of recommendation from our leadership team.
• College credit (upon school approval).
• Work with some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs and startups in the country.
• Develop in-demand skills and enhance your resume with hands-on experience.