Future Leaders

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Paid Summer Internships with the Village of Oak Brook

The Village of Oak Brook has announced a new paid summer Internship Program tailored for Oak Brook high school juniors and seniors. This eight-week program has been designed in collaboration with Hinsdale Central to offer academic credit to selected participants.

The inaugural summer 2026 program will give 3 students a behind-the-scenes look at local government while providing hands-on experience in a professional workplace setting. Through meaningful projects, mentorship from Village staff, and exposure to a variety of departments, interns will build valuable skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership—all while making a positive impact in their own community.

Those accepted into the program will choose from one of the following departmental areas for their internship:

  • Sports Management/Marketing (Sports Core)
  • Administrative (Admin, Marketing, Communications, and Finance)
  • Information Technology
  • First Responders (Police, Fire, Public Works)
  • Community Development (Planning and Zoning, Building)
  • Library/ Historical Society

Each intern will also be charged with creating a capstone project over the course of their experience.  Every Thursday, interns will collaborate with each other to work on their specific project, which will be presented to Village staff and elected officials at the conclusion of the summer.

Village President Larry Herman shares, “We’re proud to offer students the opportunity to learn, grow, and see what it means to serve a community up close. This program will create real value for students while also supporting the important work happening in Oak Brook. Interns will gain practical experience, contribute to village projects, and bring new energy, fresh ideas, and thoughtful perspectives to the table. Just as importantly, this internship allows us to hear directly from young people in Oak Brook and better understand what they care about and what they hope to see in the future.”

The deadline to apply for the internship is March 15th. Interested students can find more information and apply via the Village of Oak Brook’s website at oakbrook.org.

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“Reading aloud to a child is one of the best ways to help develop important early literacy skills, which will prepare them for kindergarten,” Devlin said. “It is also a great way to bond with your child and to encourage a love of reading.”

Devlin said Owen was the second child to reach the challenge of having 1,000 books read to him before starting kindergarten. He was awarded a certificate, a crown, and his picture was taken to recognize his accomplishment.

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