IGNITE: Interns Growing Networking and Innovating through Transformational Experiences.
Each summer, we hire eager college students because we believe in fresh ideas. The IGNITE Program offers many great opportunities to interns.
Qualifications to Apply
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Currently attending an accredited college or university
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors working toward a bachelor's degree
in business or a related field. Rising juniors and seniors preferred. - Ability to work 32 hours per week (Monday-Thursday, generally 8 am - 5 pm)
Internship Recruiting Process
- Submit application through CCU's careers portal.
- Human Resources interview
- Department Manager interview
- Selected intern candidates will be subject to a background check
FYI: Recruiting for the 2027 program will begin in January. The program runs from mid-May through mid-August.
Start strong: What the IGNITE Intern Program offers you.
Benefits Going Forward
Our program is based on creating a future path for students who have an interest in the financial services industry. For higher-performing interns, the program can serve as a stepping stone to full-time positions upon graduation. This has happened at CCU for several departments, including Human Resources, Member Experience, and Data Enterprise Solutions.
On-the-Job Experience
We offer our interns real work experience with opportunities to interact with our departments and leaders throughout CCU. We foster a team atmosphere by having our interns work together on projects, volunteer in the community, and participate in social events and educational sessions with team members at various company levels.
You Can Be a Star!
Every year, in addition to their daily assignments, interns are tasked with a group project. At the end of the summer, the group presents their project to the senior management team. Our supportive work environment and hands-on guidance gives interns every opportunity to wow their audiences… It’s a wonderful feeling, a tremendous learning experience, and a huge confidence boost!
Helping Others, Making Connections
Interns have volunteered at Fill a Heart for Kids, Feed My Starving Children, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Adopt-A-Highway and Bernie's Book Bank for community service experience and to increase their teamwork skills. They have also participated in networking events and educational meetings to connect with experienced business professionals.
IGNITE Interns &
Their Testimonials
Gabbie Crenshaw:
Throughout my internship, I experienced both professional and personal growth. I strengthened my organizational and analytical skills by handling and updating sensitive employee data. I developed a greater attention to detail while conducting audits and verifications, ensuring accuracy across multiple processes. I also grew more confident in my communication skills throughout shadowing, outreach, and collaborating with many coworkers.
Evan Simos:
The intern events and team building allowed me to expand my network with the other interns by just talking and learning about their present and past work experience. Also, "Meet the Expert" allowed me to understand different areas of CCU and meet leaders in departments different from my own.
Emily Xu:
The incredibly supportive environment at CCU allowed me the opportunity to not only learn how to fulfill my daily duties but also use my newfound skills to ideate improvements to existing methods.
Accounting
• Processed wires from the Federal Reserve
• Completed various reconciliations
• Posted journal entries
• Other small projects spread throughout the summer, such as: conducted ROI analysis, cleaned up outstanding checks report, and closed accounts relating to deceased members
Business Intelligence (BI) & Analytics
• Developed data governance processes to support self-service business intelligence (BI)
• Developed tracking of compliance to data governance standards
• Implemented certification processes in the BI tool
• Reviewed and improved the intake process for BI project requests
• Developed supporting documentation for new intake process
Commercial Lending
• Completed annual loan reviews
• Spread financials of loan applicant income and debt ratios
• Researched market trends
Human Resources
• Composed bi-weekly, all-employee newsletters
• Worked with the Talent Acquisition team to recruit candidates and assist with the onboarding process
• Transferred data from multiple HR systems to one centralized system
• Updated job descriptions
• Prepared for and assisted with Employee Appreciation Week activities
• Created interview toolkits for hiring managers
Information Technology
• Assisted with imaging/operating system installation of desktop and laptop computers
• Distributed IT equipment to end users and helped with setup
• Assisted with the implementation of an IT equipment inventory process
• Helped maintain the process workflow within the IT ticketing system
Loan Servicing
• Completed title work on auto loans
• Processed mail and payments
• Assisted with mortgage recording
• Scanned loan supporting documents
• Worked with senior loan servicing representatives to learn about lien releases and getting liens on vehicles and homes
• Completed daily input of titles received and worked on lien releases for paid-off mortgages
Marketing
• Assisted with website design and edited pages to improve user experience
• Researched and authored blog posts that highlighted Consumers Credit Union's role in the community and in members’ financial literacy
• Created member emails informing CCU members about upcoming events and important changes
• Designed Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn posts
• Helped facilitate marketing promotions, such as CCU’s Sharing & Caring contest
Member Experience
• Created surveys to get more feedback on members’ experience
• Read through daily survey responses and tagged specific comments
• Created and updated the customer satisfaction rating dashboard
• Assigned employees to follow up with members regarding their feedback
• Assisted with product research and development for checking and savings account options
Process Involvement
• Assessed the effectiveness and efficiency of CCU processes through observations and process walks
• Analyzed data and created process maps using Visio
• Developed recommendations to improve operations and minimize gaps based
For any questions, please email the HR team at [email protected].
Related Opportunities
Experiences lead to growth & opportunities.
Careers at CCU
At CCU, we offer more than just a job—we provide meaningful work, competitive pay, outstanding benefits, and a culture built on respect and inclusion.
Learn More
Apprenticeship Opportunities
Consumers Credit Union’s (CCU) Apprenticeship Program offers paid work experience while fully supporting the earning of an associate degree. It’s a great way to establish a career path, earn money and get an associate degree covered 100%!
Learn More
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