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Graduate Student Internship Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Student Internship information

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How much do graduate student internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student internship in Chicago, IL is $19.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $20.05 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate student internship?

A graduate student internship is a temporary position offered to students enrolled in a graduate program, such as a master's or doctoral degree. These internships provide hands-on experience in a professional setting related to the student's field of study. The aim is to help students apply theoretical knowledge, develop new skills, and build professional networks that can benefit their careers after graduation. Graduate student internships can be paid or unpaid, and may be part-time or full-time, depending on the employer and academic requirements.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a graduate student internship?

As a graduate student intern, you can expect to work on projects that align with your academic background and the organization's goals, such as conducting research, analyzing data, or supporting ongoing departmental initiatives. Responsibilities often include collaborating with full-time staff, attending team meetings, and presenting your findings or progress. While tasks may vary depending on the field and company, interns are typically given meaningful assignments that contribute to real business outcomes and provide professional development opportunities. You may also receive mentorship from experienced professionals and have the chance to network with other interns and employees.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Student Intern, you need a solid academic background in your field of study, critical thinking, and research or analytical skills relevant to the internship focus. Familiarity with industry-specific software, data analysis tools, or laboratory equipment is often expected, depending on the internship discipline. Strong communication, adaptability, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are crucial soft skills. These skills are essential for contributing effectively to projects, learning from real-world experiences, and building a foundation for future professional success.

What is the difference between Graduate Student Internship vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Student InternshipResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, relevant courseworkUndergraduate or graduate student, relevant field experience
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often in industry or academiaResearch labs, academic or research institutions
Employer & Industry UsageCompanies, universities, research organizationsUniversities, research institutes, labs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While both roles involve research and academic engagement, a Graduate Student Internship typically offers practical industry experience aligned with a student's coursework, often in corporate or applied settings. A Research Assistant primarily supports academic research projects within universities or research institutions, focusing on scholarly work. The internship is more industry-oriented, whereas the research assistant role is academic-focused.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Student jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Graduate Student jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Graduate Student Internship jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Graduate Student Internship job openings:

Career and Professional Development Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant

North Central College

Naperville, IL โ€ข On-site

$15.25 - $19.25/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Job description

Position Information
Posting Number GA000152 Position Title Career and Professional Development Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant Position ID REQUESTED Department Center for Career and Professional Development Division Academic Affairs Supervisor Bailey Bushman Supervisor Title Executive Director Center for Career and Professional Description of Job Duties
Position Summary:
The Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant will enhance the Center for Career & Professional Development's capacity to deliver high-quality, student-centered career education. In this role, the GA provides one-on-one coaching, staffs drop-in hours, leads tailored workshops, and supports core departmental operations. The GA also assists with the development of career resources, supports the Cardinal Career Closet's operations, and represents the CCPD at campus events. Through these responsibilities, the GA helps ensure students have the guidance, tools, and confidence needed to explore career options, build professional skills, and prepare for internships, jobs, and post-graduate opportunities.
Essential Functions:
- Consult with students during Drop-In Center hours to provide career-related guidance, including resume and cover letter reviews, Handshake and LinkedIn profile consultations, and internship/job search strategy sessions.
- Host individualized, one-on-one career coaching appointments with students.
- Develop and deliver career programming tailored for identity-based student groups (first-gen, students of color, LGBTQ+, commuters, international, students with disabilities, transfers, etc.).
- Serve as a visible ambassador to help students navigate career resources and build confidence in the career preparation process.
- Support and represent the Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) at various campus events (admitted student days, Rall Symposium, tabling events, etc.).
- Support Associate Director with ongoing operations and student engagement efforts for the Cardinal Career Closet (inventory, marketing, outreach, and student usage tracking).
- Build and pilot virtual drop-in hours to expand accessibility for commuter and graduate students.
- Assist in developing training and professional development learning opportunities for Career Peer Advisor Team.
- Create or update student facing resources (e.g. handouts, slide decks, worksheets) on topics related to resumes, cover letters, job/internship search, networking, and interviewing.
- Provide administrative support for the College's primary job and internship platform: Handshake.
- Other duties as assigned.
Opportunities for Graduate Students:
The Career and Professional Development Student Support & Programming Graduate Assistant will begin in Fall 2026.
Graduate students in the Higher Education Leadership program will gain hands-on experience in student support, coaching, and program development. This role provides meaningful opportunities to apply theories of student development and career coaching practice through direct support to students, workshop facilitation, and campus partnerships.
Graduate students in the Organizational Leadership program will engage in designing and delivering training for student staff, supporting operational processes, and collaborating with campus offices. The role provides opportunities to apply leadership theories related to team development, organizational culture, communication, and student engagement.
Graduate students in the MBA program will deepen skills in communication, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. They will contribute to program development, help refine resource materials, and participate in career-related initiatives that support student career readiness.
Do the job duties for this position have any potential exposure to student records? Yes Do the job duties for this position include any driving requirements? No Will this position be working with minors? No Job Qualifications
- Accepted into a graduate program at North Central College.
- Strong interest in student development, career education, and/or higher education administration.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, interpersonal, and analytical skills.
- Ability to provide direct service to students through one-on-one coaching, drop-in consultations, and workshop facilitation.
- Demonstrated ability to support diverse student populations, with an awareness of identity-informed needs and a commitment to student engagement.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple programs, projects, and student engagement initiatives simultaneously.
- Familiarity with career development topics such as resume writing, job and internship search strategies, graduate school planning, interviewing, and LinkedIn/Handshake (training provided to successful candidate).
- Proficiency in creating or updating student-facing resources such as handouts, slide decks, and worksheets.
Approximate number of work hours per week 20 New or Replacement? New If replacement, person(s) being replaced
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
North Central College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. North Central College provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need reasonable accommodation, please notify the Office of Human Resource. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Open Date 12/12/2025 Close Date Open Until Filled No