Chicago Botanic Garden

Education

College First

Science, College, and Careers
Learn & Earn!

College First is a dynamic paid internship program for eligible Chicago Public High School students consisting of career mentorship, field ecology and conservation science, and college prep and assistance. Each summer, approximately 20 students from Chicago Public Schools travel to the Garden by school bus from designated stops to spend eight weeks in the Garden's beautiful setting. They explore a vast array of potential science careers and use the Garden's 385 acres and resources to learn about native ecosystems and plants. Students spend a portion of each day being mentored by a Chicago Botanic Garden staff member and the other portion of the day in group instruction. During the summer, as well as at monthly meetings over the school year, emphasis is also placed on college as a pathway to careers and guidance is given to the students, who are often the first in their families to attend college.

Please note: Due to restrictions on funding that supports these programs, enrollment is limited to students from Chicago Public Schools. For more information about these programs, please call Shelly Bender at (847)
835-6871.

Download an application.

What past interns have to say

"I enjoyed my summer each day because there was always an activity or job I planned or decided for myself."

"The hands-on activities, field trips, and one-on-one attention were strategies that were effective and fun."

"Instruction at the Chicago Botanic Garden was more effective than regular 'school' instruction. It was more hands-on, which taught me more than traditional lessons."

"Everything was amazing!"

College First is made possible with the generous support of the Bertha Lebus Charitable Trust, Discover Financial Services, Leo S. Guthman Fund Harold M. and Adeline S. Morrison Family Foundation, Illinois Tool Works Foundation, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Sheridan Foundation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the W.P. & H.B. White Foundation.