Teen Fellows

Mission Statement

The mission of the Teen Fellows, developed by participating youth, is to explore the past, experience the present and design the future. As a dedicated community of hands-on learners, Fellows question and identify how the built environment applies to their lives.

This 15-month program is offered at no cost to selected participants, and gives Chicago sophomores, juniors and seniors the chance to explore architecture and design careers, earn college credit and work alongside industry professionals. During the program, Fellows:

Attend college courses at Harold Washington College (HWC), earning credits from City Colleges of Chicago
Explore Chicago’s built environment and how it changes over time
Work with physical models using various materials
Develop design projects and begin building personal portfolios
Develop digital designs using the following software: Sketch-up, AutoCAD, Rhinoceros, Revit, Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop
Visit architecture firms and architecturally significant sites
Earn a stipend, to allow youth to prioritize program participation, regardless of financial status
Intern at a local architecture or design firm in the final summer of the program (paid internship, pending program performance)

Program Schedule

March 31 - Applications due
April - Interviews begin
May - Selected fellows informed and begin on-boarding

Summer #1

Fellows meet Monday-Thursday for 6 weeks, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework.

Fall

Fellows meet for 6 hours for 14 Saturdays, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework and breaks aligned with school calendars.

Spring

Fellows meet for 6 hours for 16 Saturdays, with alternating CAC and HWC coursework and breaks aligned with school calendars.

Summer #2

Paid internship (pending program performance) or additional HWC coursework.

Eligibility

Teen Fellows is open to incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors who attend high school in the city of Chicago, and are able to commit to the entire program.

The CAC is committed to increasing access to students from populations historically under-represented in architecture, construction, engineering and design, including BIPOC youth and those who identify as female.

Application

Applications for the Summer 2024-Summer 2025 program are closed.

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