Scholar Engagement and Marketing Intern

Organization: LINK Unlimited Scholars (17 N. State St. STE 1250 Chicago, IL 60602) Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid/In-Person. Summer Learning Site [TBD]. Traditionally held at a local Chicago college campus.) Reports To: Director, Educational Programs (with some collaborative guidance from our Program Coordinators) Position Type: Internship (Full-Time, Summer opportunity) About LINK Unlimited Scholars At LINK Unlimited Scholars, our mission has always centered on advancing educational equity for students who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. By addressing systemic inequities through programming, we ensure our Scholars have the access and support they need to thrive to, through, and beyond college. Annually, we serve 300+ Scholars through our six-year fellowship, which spans middle through high school, focused on academic enrichment, scholarships, college access, leadership development, career exposure, and mentoring. This holistic approach not only prepares Scholars for college success but also nurtures their confidence, character, and commitment to community. The success of our Scholars is a powerful testament to what’s possible when we invest in education. Since 1966, we have served over 2,500 low- to moderate-income students. Our Scholars are outpacing their peers and graduating from college at rates higher than the national average (55% vs. 48%), nearly twice the national average for Black students (55% vs. 28%), and more than three times the average for Black students in Chicago (55% vs. 17%). Position Overview The Scholar Engagement and Marketing Intern will play a key, cross‑functional role supporting Scholar engagement, program innovation, and storytelling. This internship blends programming, evaluation, marketing, research, and content creation. In collaboration with LINK’s Programs Team, the intern will gather meaningful feedback from current Scholars and families, analyze trends and insights, translate key insights into compelling, mission-aligned content and help develop targeted mini‑workshops based on findings. This role is ideal for a student interested in communications, nonprofit marketing, education equity, research, or community engagement. Key Responsibilities Data Analysis & Insight Development Workshop Development & Facilitation Social Media & Content Creation Scholar Engagement (Content & Data Collection) Conduct interviews and listening sessions with current Scholars Develop interview questions focused on: Program Highlights Effectiveness of LINK programming Additional supports that Scholars and families need that are rooted in our mission In collaboration with Program Coordinators, collect qualitative and quantitative feedback in a structured format; ensure confidentiality and culturally responsive communication practices In collaboration with Program Coordinators, organize and assess collected feedback; identify key themes, trends, and opportunity areas In collaboration with the Director of Educational Programs, develop summary reports with actionable recommendations; develop a comprehensive report/presentation of key findings (Capstone Project) Present findings to LINK’s Team Co‑Design and create mini workshops for Scholars rooted in college readiness and leadership preparedness Examples: study skills, career readiness, time management, leadership, wellness, etc. In collaboration with Program Coordinators, develop and deliver engaging presentation materials and activities and support workshop facilitation Gather feedback to assess workshop impact Translate research insights into engaging content that can be used for social media platforms Create: Scholar spotlight stories Data‑driven infographics Short‑form videos or reels Compile key findings into a detailed report for future blogs and newsletters Assist with social media calendar planning Partner with Program Team to ensure messaging aligns with LINK’s brand, voice, and mission Note: LINK works with an external marketing firm who leads all social media content creation and posts. Any content created by the interns will be provided to the firm to be used to support their content. Compensation $17.50/hour approximately 40 hours a week (includes CAFE hours) Not eligible for benefits Learning Outcomes Hands‑on experience in nonprofit marketing and communications Experience conducting program evaluation research Skills in translating community voice into impactful stories and actionable next steps Workshop development and facilitation experience A portfolio of mission‑driven content and impact storytelling Capstone Overview The capstone project for the Scholar Engagement & Marketing Intern at LINK Unlimited Scholars centers on elevating Scholar voices to strengthen programming and storytelling to speak on the transformative impact of LINK programming. Using interview data, interns will work with LINK Educational Programs staff to develop workshops, produce mission‑aligned content, and deliver a final presentation on their key discoveries. The interns will conduct structured interviews or listening sessions with Scholars to gather feedback on key highlights of their LINK experience and program effectiveness, and to solicit areas for improvement and desired support. Using culturally responsive and confidential practices, the intern will organize qualitative and basic quantitative data, identify key themes, and develop three to five actionable recommendations in collaboration with the Educational Programs Team. Key findings will be presented as a comprehensive capstone project that includes an executive summary, methodology, visual data highlights, and recommendations. The intern will present insights to the Educational Programs Team, demonstrating clear connections between community voice and program innovation. Based on engagement findings, the interns will design and pilot two to three mini workshops addressing identified needs, such as study skills, college readiness, career exploration, leadership, or wellness. Workshops will be structured sessions with an objective and activities determined in collaboration with the Educational Programs team. Through this project, interns gain hands‑on experience in program evaluation, youth engagement, strategic communications, and nonprofit storytelling. TO APPLY First‑generation college students are strongly encouraged to apply. A cover letter and resume will be required with the application. In your cover letter, please note if you have a previous affiliation with LINK. Requirements Qualifications Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship for the period of the internship (June through August 2026). First Generation College Student Undergraduate student during the summer of 2026. (Already started undergraduate college but have not yet graduated with a 4 year degree.) Live in Chicago or surrounding suburbs during the summer of 2026. An analytical mindset with the ability to identify patterns in qualitative data Mastery in Google Workspace and basic presentation tools Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information, and communicate insights effectively through written and verbal communication. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to conduct interviews and engage effectively with diverse audiences. Required: The internship includes ~5 hours per week of paid professional development provided by our partners at The CAFÉ (Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education) designed to develop professional skills and facilitate professional networking. Preferred Experience with analyzing social media engagement metrics (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.) Basic design skills (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.) Experience working with youth or in educational settings Interest in education equity and nonprofit work #J-18808-Ljbffr