Metcalf Employer Spotlights

Be yourself! At the end of the day, we're all just looking for applicants that are enjoyable to talk to and motivated by what they do, whatever that may be. It's also important for you to get to know us as well. Definitely don't feel pressured to act a certain way; networking can be stressful, but really all you need to do is ask questions that you're genuinely curious about, and the conversation will flow naturally from there.

My #1 advice to any intern or new employee is not to fear the first draft. Through my work at a startup, consulting with businesses, and doing academic research, I've realized that my team can get a lot of value (and I have learned a ton) by moving past the fear that my first attempt won't be perfect and taking a stab at it anyway. Even if you don't know everything yet, create the proposal, draft the slides, structure a framework, write a first draft, dive into the research — you will learn through the process of giving it a good-faith effort, and it will help you and your colleagues get to a better version. You can reduce the cognitive load on your team by getting started, learn about the problem by investing some thinking, solicit reactions by providing a prototype, and mitigate future problems by uncovering barriers. The first step is often the most daunting; help your team and yourself by learning not to be afraid to give it a try.

To be successful in an internship (or any job, for that matter), one of the most important elements is communication. It's important to understand what is being asked of you, so do not be afraid to ask questions if you are confused or need further clarification or assistance. If you make a commitment and are unable to meet it, then communicate that and explain why. It can be difficult to admit that you don't know something or are unable to accomplish a task, but having clear expectations (on both sides) makes it much easier for you to be successful in your work.

Passions can take you in a number of directions, and summer internships are a great way to explore careers in different sectors to learn what best fits your work style and culture needs. In your internship, be prepared to be independent, but ask LOTS of questions – and not just about the work you are directly participating in. Take the opportunity to talk to as many people as you can, take advantage of their advice and experience, and don’t be afraid to ask them for introductions to expand your network. Organizations seeking interns will often look for a diversity of experiences to show your capacity for learning new things, but will also be looking for some professional experience, whether that is previous work in an office, planning events, or fundraising for one of your university clubs, so think outside the box when preparing your resume.

Being open to new experiences in any field is crucial but especially for our organization. We have team members that are on our Development, Marketing and Community Engagement teams that all work in our warehouse on a frequent basis. Although the operations of our organization is not their number one priority, having each team member experience and gain knowledge of our operations helps them individually in their roles and gives them the knowledge to speak to our mission.

Every organization you encounter will have a unique culture developed by the people already there. Take the initiative to learn the history of how decisions were made and processes came to be from tenured colleagues. You will gain a greater understanding of how the company evolved, gain respect for the work done thus far, and begin to identify the ways in which you can add to the overall mission going forward.

Reach out early to learn if you can do anything to prepare before you start and then do it. When given projects, don’t be shy to clarify the deliverables and the resources available, check-in regularly to update your team on your progress and seek feedback on your work. Most importantly, don’t forget that you got the role because the team believes you can do well at it over time. There will be days when you do really well and days that are tougher going – it’s important to show up on both types of days.

Our DuSable Museum Summer Interns can use this experience to implement critical thinking skills while appreciating the historical and institutional knowledge that comes from hands on engagement with primary source materials. They may also learn to establish, maintain and recognize a balance between work product and other workplace responsibilities.

For Erie, since we are a non-profit, mission-based organization, we are looking for someone with intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the act of doing something without any obvious external rewards. You do it because it's enjoyable and interesting, rather than because of an outside incentive or pressure to do it, such as a reward or deadline. It is not just about getting a paycheck and using your skills and talents to get the job done, but also the desire to serve the underserved and no matter what you do contribute to the mission. Don’t be afraid to express why you want the internship or job – focus not only on how you are the right candidate based on the job description but also share how or why quality healthcare for all people is important to YOU personally and if it aligns with your personal convictions and values.

When you’re looking for an internship, do your research on the organization. Visit the website, Google the company, understand what the company has done to better understand how you can contribute moving forward. Finally, get to know your peers and people you are working for and with – make that personal connection. This is what you will remember long after you complete your internship or you move on to another role.

Today’s young scientists have enormous potential to make a positive impact on healthcare and disease prevention. Science is being driven by large data analytics – including fields that combine multi-omics and AI into disease therapies. To be competitive in STEM, and in particular biopharmaceuticals, it helps to gain experience in a field you are most passionate about, with an attitude or approach that speaks most to your nature. For Heat Biologics, that’s science, innovation, and smart risk taking. Jeff Wolf, CEO – Heat Biologics, says he looks for interns and recent graduates who are dedicated, adept at learning, and strive to translate basic science into novel biotherapeutics. Heat Biologics has a successful track record with University of Chicago interns and whole-heartedly supports future Jeff Metcalf Internship Program endeavors.

Don't forget to share your "why" during your job/internship hunt. Employers, today more than ever, care about what drives you, not just what you're capable of. Make yourself stand out with a clear and authentic personal mission statement and let your passions shine!

We encourage students to seek opportunities that allow them to explore their interests while also being open to unexpected prospects. We try to expose interns to a variety of projects that could spark their interest or foster their talents. Students should take advantage of diverse opportunities in the field and make connections that could advance their careers in the future. We value interns who are open-minded, hard-working and adaptable.

We at John Friedman Alice Kimm Architects have enjoyed having Metcalf interns from UChicago working with us in recent years – they have been among the most creative, intellectually sophisticated, and proactive students we’ve had the privilege to host in our 20-year history. We selected them based on the strength of their academic records, their portfolios, and their communication skills – in particular their curiosity about the world and the built environment, their thinking about social and environmental issues, and their stated interest in developing new toolsets and tackling the unknown. Collectively, the presence of these qualities makes for a great summer of meaningful learning and collaborative contributions. We urge all of our interns to make the most of being in Los Angeles – to explore the city each weekend in order to take advantage of its rich cultural, culinary, and physical delights. Finally, we ask that our interns show up at JFAK ready to work with passion, dedication, and an open mind; the combination of all of the above will make for a great summer experience and a successful internship.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office is honored to be a partner with the University of Chicago through the Metcalf Program. This program allows students to work at the largest prosecutorial office in the United States. We offer our interns a chance to gain insight into the day-day functions of a prosecutor, witness the impact that our work has on the community we serve and be exposed to a diverse workforce. Students who approach this internship with an open mind and a willingness to learn tend to gain the most from the experience.

In order to succeed in the any workplace and be a competitive candidate, students should be eager to learn, willing to listen, and approach each task with a positive and humble attitude.

Internships are a great opportunity to gain exposure to a company or industry of your interest and test whether it's a good career fit. Additionally, they also open the door for finding a mentor to guide your personal and professional development. By actively seeking projects or opportunities outside the scope of what's expected, you will establish strong references and experience, which will enable you to differentiate yourself in the post-graduation job search. At Newristics, many of our interns have progressed to senior positions within our company while others have used the experience as a launchpad for their dream career.

Welcome new opportunities, but remember your own worth. You are a valuable member of the workplace, and can contribute as much as you learn! On that note, never forget to: Learn new skills. Make contacts and develop relationships. Be open to new perspectives. Work hard (and have fun).

Don’t be afraid to take on that project that seems a bit too big or scary or unclear. And then ask questions like “what background should I know?” And “how long should this take?” No two projects are ever exactly the same, but if you can focus on the skills you need to detect patterns and bring ease, you’ll be an incredible asset to any organization.

Robin Hood has partnered with the University of Chicago in implementing our summer intern and associate program with unparalleled success and satisfaction for nearly a decade (since 2013). The undergraduate students we have retained through the Metcalf Fellows program have been especially bright, talented and committed to our poverty-fighting mission. Moreover, they have contributed hugely to quite a few projects that have been critical to our grantmaking work.

Recent efforts include an assessment of our veterans initiative, evaluating several organizations’ costs and results in finding housing, counseling and employment for hundreds of veterans, a data visualization and mapping project in which the student demonstrated the locations and the services of all the community institutions the foundation supports, and a policy project looking at city council members, their districts and their positions on a number of issues involving issues related to youth services, criminal justice and workforce matters.

Current projects include an analysis of our Covid Relief fund grants, highlighting the purposes of different investments and the types of institutions receiving them, and a project reviewing the post-college or graduate school employment or volunteer activities of past interns and examining their roles in public sector, government and philanthropy jobs to examine whether their experience at Robin Hood played a role in career trajectories.

Our Metcalf students demonstrate great maturity and thoroughness and have a superb work ethic. They are also thoughtful and fun colleagues.

The Texas Ethics Commission had never had an intern before participating in the Metcalf program in 2021, but I knew that our applicants would be hungry for, and capable of handling, the kind of substantive legal work that I would typically reserve for a law school student. Internships often require learning a new subject matter in a short amount of time, and employers know that. To make the most of your time, I encourage you to be eager for challenging projects and not afraid to make mistakes. Soak up any feedback you receive knowing that your primary objective is to learn from the experience.

Building relationships with faculty and staff mentors can be invaluable in helping students find their paths. We have found that one of the best ways students can grow is to have durable engagements with their internship opportunities. It is a joy to see the students continue to hone their skills in patient interaction and gain confidence as they work with us over time, and to then to see some of them stay on to play increasingly responsible roles in specific research projects. One of our undergraduate interns from years ago is now a faculty member at UChicago submitting his first large grant to NIH.

Above everything, keep an open mind. While it’s important to go into a professional situation having a goal such as building a specific skill or expanding your network, staying receptive to possibilities you didn’t know exist will help you grow. This experience is for you and you have power in how much you want to learn. Ask questions! You never know what doors will open for you or how your life could change through just being curious and sincere.