City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering holds successful internship fair

In early October 2026, the City Colleges of Chicago School of Engineering hosted its annual internship fair at Harold Washington College.  Associate Dean Lizette Perez reflected on the event noting that “the room was full of energy and opportunity.” 

More than 250 students came to connect with numerous employers from some of the most well-known engineering industries across the city of Chicago and the country.  

“What stood out most to me was how prepared and ready our students are to work with some of the best engineers in the country. They arrived with polished resumes, introduced themselves with confidence, and spoke clearly about their skills and goals. That readiness doesn’t happen by accident; it is built into the students’ experience from day one,” added Perez. 

“Through the School of Engineering holistic and programmatic approach and under the leadership of Dr. Doris Espiritu, we worked hand in hand with our career and workforce development teams to prepare students for moments exactly like this,” said Perez.

“Our mission at the School of Engineering is to bridge the gap between academic preparation and real-world impact,” said Dr. Doris Espiritu, dean of the School of Engineering. “Seeing our students walk into this internship fair with such intention and capability made my heart soar. Our School of Engineering is a ecosystem that equips students with both the technical depth and professional readiness to excel in very challenging internships. This career fair demonstrates that bridging the gap between exceptional student talent and premier industry partnerships drives mutual success.”

Local media outlets like Crain’s Chicago Business and the Beverly Review highlight how CCC engineering students are becoming dominant forces on national stages. “Hire our alumni—because they’re excellent,” said Dr. Espiritu.  She further advises employers that if they build inclusive workplaces, they will not only attract top talent, “they will keep them”.