Participants receive a paid summer internship, a career-matched mentor, soft-skills workshops, career exploration days, one-on-one coaching and more! The Evanston WE Program accepts students from Evanston Township High School (ETHS). Most teens who apply are seeking an alternative to 4-year college directly after high school. They also want to improve their communication skills and gain confidence
in their career plans. Program participants receive:
- A Paid Summer Internship
- Career Readiness Training
- Career Exploration Programs
- A Career-Matched Mentor
- One-on-One Coaching
- A $500 Scholarship
The application process begins on September 1st of each year and includes an online application and interview. Interviews take place December 2nd - 15th and a parent or guardian is required to attend. ETHS juniors are notified as to whether or not they are accepted to the program on December 31st and, if accepted, begin in January of junior year. After junior year workshops and their summer internship, participants continue with the program throughout their senior year, including mentor and coaching meetings, workshops and career programs. After completing high school, WE graduates are given the opportunity to continue as WE Program Alumni, and can participate in further programs including internships, workshops, the Alumni Advisory Committee and more! Our program alumni attend local community colleges, vocational and trade schools, and colleges. Though WE alumni are young (ages 18-22), they are hoping for careers in fields such as: carpentry, welding, construction, automotive, culinary, law enforcement, and a wide variety of health-related careers.