CHS Students Recognized For Internships

On January 29, the Alignment Collaborative for Education and the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System sponsored the inaugural Internship Recognition Breakfast at Elgin Community College. The event celebrated the business and community partners who hosted high school interns during the summer of 2024 while also welcoming potential new partners interested in hosting interns in 2025. Over the summer, Alignment and Northern Kane facilitated approximately 150 paid internships across nine career fields, recognizing more than 40 participating organizations at the breakfast, which drew over 120 attendees.

Central High School students Chase Ruckoldt and Allie Botkin were among those recognized for their internship experiences. Chase gained valuable financial industry experience at Wintrust Bank, while Allie explored healthcare through Advocate Health Care. Both students participated in a panel discussion alongside business partners, sharing insights on their experiences and the impact of the program.

Students from Community Unit School District 300 and School District U-46 also participated, with St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 joining next year. As Illinois continues to emphasize career readiness through its Pathways Education framework, these internships provide students with at least 60 hours of real-world experience, helping them build essential skills and explore career opportunities.

Attendees received information on the program and learned about next steps for hosting an intern in 2025. If you or someone you know has a company interested in participating, please contact Director Terry Stroh or Work-Based Learning Specialist Todd Stirn at Northern Kane for more information.