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College of Computing

Elevate Experiential Learning

How Does 1 + 1 = Infinity?

When you combine your world-class Illinois Tech education with real-world, experiential learning opportunities, you open up an infinite number of career possibilities.

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Elevate Experiential Learning

Illinois Tech's one-of-a-kind Elevate program ensures that you will have the confidence to land a great job. Begin your journey before stepping on campus by taking part in a four-week online experiential learning opportunity, where you will learn and apply hands-on skills needed to lead and innovate in today’s workplace.

High school and college students, graduates, professionals—all can join our specialized courses and build teamwork, creativity, design thinking, and problem-solving skills. The Excelerate platform ensures that you can easily explore and sign up for opportunities that appeal to you. Our experiential learning opportunities offer you the gateway to explore, collaborate, solve problems, and lead!

$1,000 Edge Award

What more can you gain from Elevate experiential learning besides valuable real-world experience and relevant twenty-first century skills? A $1,000 award that can jump-start your future at Illinois Tech. The Edge Award is open to high school students who enroll at Illinois Tech.

apply for EXPERIENCES on EXCELERATE

Elevate Experiential Learning Topic Tracks

Explore programs that will spark your journey to success.

Start Dates InternshipEnd DatesHoliday (U.S.)Date
April 2Cybersecurity: Defensive HackingMay 2Memorial DayMay 27
Data Visualization
May 6Esports and Game DevelopmentJune 6JuneteenthJune 19
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
June 7Digital MarketingJuly 7Independence DayJuly 4
Project Management
July 1Cybersecurity: Defensive HackingAugust 1  
Data Visualization
August 5Esports and Game DevelopmentSeptember 5Labor DaySeptember 2
Entrepreneurship and Innovation

apply for EXPERIENCES on EXCELERATE
Watch this video to learn how to apply

Elevate Experiential Learning Benefits

Employability Skills

Employability Skills

Communication, collaboration, self-management, problem solving

Global Exposure

Global Exposure

Network with students and subject matter experts from around the world

Professional Development

Professional Development

Report writing, business etiquette, and presentation skills

Personal Growth

Personal Growth

Self-awareness to be able to identify strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots of your professional personality

I didn’t just learn about cybersecurity. I worked and carried out assignments and tasks with many of the tools of cybersecurity. There were times when tasks were daunting, difficult, and really challenging, but with every task completed and success recorded, I grew in the knowledge of my field—and my confidence.

—Utobo Ederenna, Cybersecurity and Defensive Hacking

I have gained some very crucial skills in analyzing data. I learned to be a responsible part of my team. I am sure, in the future, I’ll be able to deal with a larger set of data with higher efficiency.

—Rewa Deshpande, Data Visualization

I got to learn a lot about defensive hacking in terms of cybersecurity. I come from a background in mechanical engineering, so this was something completely new for me. I learned a lot, and I’m glad I embarked on this journey.

—Maryam Yasin, Cybersecurity and Defensive Hacking

Complete an Elevate Experiential Learning Opportunity and Earn a $1,000 Edge Award

Illinois Tech is offering a $1,000 Edge Award to high school students to help you fund your Illinois Tech education. You can earn an Edge Award by completing a virtual experiential learning opportunity prior to enrolling at Illinois Tech. Bonus: Edge Awards are stackable—earn up to five. Learn more about Edge Awards.

In addition, you may use your Edge Award for any Elevate College Prep experience, including summer programs!

How do I apply for an Elevate experiential learning opportunity?

Experiential learning opportunities are available to international high school students and nominated students from participating partner high schools. If you’re interested in bringing an experiential learning opportunity to your high school, please contact Fareine Suarez at fsuarez1@iit.edu.

  1. Go to the Illinois Tech profile on Excelerate
  2. Click on the “Sign Up” button
  3. Enter your details and verify your email
  4. Log in to the platform and apply for the experiential learning opportunity  under “Global Internships”

Watch this video to learn how to apply

Your Elevate Experiential Learning Schedule

  • Experiential learning opportunities start the first week of every month and can be found on Excelerate
  • Four-week programs requiring five to six hours of commitment per week
    structure:
    • Week 1: Introduction and overview to the experience and project team. Review of sponsor’s data and the business problem.
    • Week 2: Uncovering the challenge question and collecting further information. Professional and personal skills development.
    • Week 3: Conducting relevant research and creating a preliminary analysis. Preparing a draft report on the proposed solutions.
    • Week 4: Group presentation on findings and recommendations for challenge questions. Reflective video on journey.

Learn more...

Illinois Tech welcomes you to join our community of people who discover, create, and solve. Apply today, visit us in Chicago, and contact us for more information.
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