March 21, 2013

Mayor Emanuel Launches First Mayor's Office Technology Fellowship Program To Recruit Top Student Talent to Chicago

Encourages Students Studying Computer Science, Engineering, and Web Design to Spend the Summer Improving City’s Digital Resources to Better Serve Chicagoans

Mayor's Press Office    312.744.3334

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today a new Mayor's Office Summer Technology Fellowship Program that will recruit student technologists and web designers to spend three months working alongside some of the nation’s leading minds in technology, seeking innovative solutions to better serve Chicagoans. The four technology fellows will have a hand in developing and implementing projects that enhance Chicago’s technological capabilities and will also have the opportunity to directly collaborate with leaders in the city’s booming digital scene.

Undergraduate and graduate students can apply for these paid positions by visiting www.chicago.gov/careers. Applications are due by March 31, 2013 and the program runs from June 17, 2013 to August 30, 2013

“My administration is committed to leveraging the latest technologies to better serve all Chicagoans and this fellowship program brings new energy, ideas and enthusiasm to City Hall while providing an unparalleled opportunity for students to learn from leaders in the technology sector,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Chicago is a digital destination – our startup and technology sectors are flourishing and today’s innovators and tomorrow’s leaders should look to our city as a place to launch their careers and ideas.”

The Mayor's Office Fellowship Program attracts bright, highly motivated individuals, gives them a broad overview of municipal government and provides a unique, "hands-on" experience. Fellows participate in budgetary, legislative, and programmatic areas of city government and work directly with Mayor's Office staff. Mayoral Fellows are afforded the opportunity to learn about public service and policy-making by directly contributing to the executive office of the City of Chicago.  This is the first year the City has specifically worked to recruit students from computer science, engineering, web design and related technology fields.

The Tech Fellows duties will:

  • Participate in the development and support of technology projects including research, design, software development and testing
  • Collaborate with the Department of Innovation and Technology on the ongoing support of existing technology projects
  • Explore ways of enhancing information located on the City’s data portal
  • Develop Java and/or Python code for projects within assigned technical area based on business requirements documents/and or technical design documents.
  • Support existing technology projects
  • Design new innovative ways to leverage digital tools to connect with Chicagoans
  • Explore ways of making information on the City’s data portal more useful for non-technical Chicagoans
  • Collaborate with the City’s data and statistics team Perform other duties as required.

For more information about the fellowship program and to apply, visit: www.chicago.gov/careers.

 

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