World Business Chicago Offers Economic Growth and Jobs Fellowships
Kane County is helping to spread the word about a unique fellowship opportunity for professionals who want to help develop economic growth and jobs.
The Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs Fellowship Program is an exclusive professional development opportunity for mid- level executives to drive World Business Chicago’s Plan for economic growth and jobs strategies.
While working at WBC, fellows build lasting relationships with leaders in the public and private sectors while directly impacting Chicago’s future. Fellows have assisted on Kane County on a number of projects, most recently working with the Development Department to recruit local businesses for export grants.
Kane County Development Director Mark VanKerkhoff said the fellowship program is a great opportunity for Kane residents or employees of Kane banks and businesses to get world class exposure and experience.
“Why should Kane County residents and employees of companies in Kane County consider this?” VanKerkhoff said. “Because Kane County is already home and/or the place of employment to many of the region’s best and brightest, so why not take advantage of living in a world class region?”
Keith Bevans, a partner with Bain and Company, said the fellowships are a win-win because they help professional development of the fellows as well as the public-service initiatives that help drive local development and bring jobs to the area.
“Opportunities like the WBC fellowship give our consultants an opportunity to apply their skills to issues they are passionate about,” Bevans said. “At the same time, they grow as they navigate the public-private space and work with senior stakeholders, enriching their perspective when they come back to Bain.”
WBC hosts three groups of fellows per year, and the next class starts on Jan. 7. Each class’ duration is between four and six months, depending on the fellow’s availability. Fellows will be seated at the offices of World Business Chicago during normal working hours, where they will be driving their respective projects for the Mayor’s Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs, networking, and meeting with local business and private-sector leaders.
WBC is looking for candidates with the following credentials, qualities and skill sets:
- Seven to 15 years of work experience (preferred)
- Demonstrated project leadership, ideally with multiple stakeholders
- Background in urban policy/planning or business management, preferred
- Strong communication skills, including writing
- A history of excellence
- A bachelor’s degree (Graduate degree preferred)
- Self-driven
- Entrepreneurial
- Adaptable/flexibleInterest in civic arena
- Ability to perform in high-demand, fast-paced environment
- Brings a positive attitude
To get approved to join the FellowshipProgram, candidates should submit a resume and two professional references, gain approval from your company/organization to participate as a fellow and prepare for in-person interviews with World Business Chicago’s Plan Team. Candidates will be asked to submit a one-page essay on the topic of active projects within The Plan for Economic Growth & Jobs that interests them the most.
For additional information, please contact Carolyn Kae Phillips, Director of Strategic Initiatives, at 312.553.4614 or cphillips@worldbusinesschicago.com.
