Build real experience. Find your next step.
DRK Career Lab is a paid workforce-development program for Chicago young adults ages 16–24.
Participants gain real work experience while building the professional, financial, digital, and human skills needed to navigate today’s workplace and adapt as work changes. Through paid assignments, coaching, mentorship, employer exposure, and hands-on projects, participants learn how organizations operate, how technology is changing everyday work, and how to move toward their next opportunity.
Career Lab prepares participants not only for today’s jobs, but for the way work is changing.
Chicago young adults
Paid work experience + career development
Small cohort with individualized support
Choose the direction that interests you
Experience should not be a prerequisite for getting experience.
Young people are often expected to enter the workforce already knowing how to communicate professionally, use workplace technology, build relationships, manage responsibilities, solve problems, and demonstrate experience.
Access to those opportunities is not evenly distributed.
Career Lab gives participants a paid place to build those skills in practice. Participants work on real projects, interact with professionals, develop work samples, and gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them.
The goal is not simply to complete an internship. Participants should leave with experience they can demonstrate, stronger professional skills, a broader network, and a credible next step.
Build the skills work requires now.
Technology is changing nearly every industry, but technical skills alone are not enough.
Career Lab develops both the human and digital skills participants need to navigate a changing workplace.
Human Skills
- Professional communication
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Reliability
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Receiving feedback
- Professional judgment
Digital & AI Skills
- Workplace productivity tools
- Spreadsheets and data
- Digital communication
- Responsible use of generative AI
- Research and information verification
- Automation and workflow tools
- Digital content creation
- Privacy and responsible technology use
Participants do not need previous AI or advanced technology experience. Career Lab teaches participants how to use digital tools as practical workplace resources while understanding where accuracy, context, privacy, creativity, and human judgment still matter.
Four pathways. One professional foundation.
Every participant completes the same Career Lab foundation and then applies those skills within one of four career pathways. Applicants identify their interests, but final placements are based on participant goals, availability, and available opportunities.
Nonprofit & Food Distribution
Learn how community organizations manage programs, resources, logistics, outreach, data, and community relationships.
Participants also explore how digital tools and AI can support research, resource navigation, communications, data organization, logistics, and service delivery.
Participants may gain experience with
- nonprofit operations
- community outreach
- food distribution and logistics
- program coordination
- participant intake
- inventory
- events
- data tracking
- resource navigation
- digital research and communications
Career exposure may include
- Program Coordinator
- Community Outreach Coordinator
- Operations Associate
- Food Distribution Coordinator
- Community Engagement Associate
- Nonprofit Program Manager
Hospitality & Restaurant Operations
Learn how restaurants and hospitality businesses manage people, customers, inventory, scheduling, purchasing, technology, and day-to-day operations.
Participants explore how POS systems, scheduling platforms, online ordering, customer data, automation, and AI-supported tools are changing hospitality operations.
Participants may gain experience with
- restaurant operations
- customer experience
- POS systems
- inventory
- scheduling
- food safety
- purchasing
- catering
- events
- online ordering
- hospitality technology
Career exposure may include
- Restaurant Manager
- Hospitality Manager
- Operations Coordinator
- Catering Coordinator
- Events Coordinator
- Food & Beverage Manager
- Hospitality Entrepreneur
Accounting & Business Finance
Learn how businesses and nonprofit organizations manage money, payroll, records, budgets, reporting, and financial decisions.
Participants also learn how spreadsheets, accounting software, automation, and AI-supported workflows are changing bookkeeping, reporting, research, and financial operations.
Participants may gain experience with
- spreadsheets
- bookkeeping
- expense tracking
- accounts payable
- accounts receivable
- payroll
- budgeting
- reporting
- tax support
- recordkeeping
- financial operations
Career exposure may include
- Accountant
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Specialist
- Tax Associate
- Finance Coordinator
- Financial Analyst
- CPA
- Business Manager
Social Media & Content Creation
Learn how organizations communicate with customers, tell stories, build audiences, and measure engagement.
Participants learn how AI can support research, ideation, editing, planning, analytics, and production while still requiring originality, brand standards, accuracy, and human judgment.
Participants may gain experience with
- social media
- photography
- video
- writing
- content calendars
- interviews
- graphic design
- digital campaigns
- analytics
- brand management
- website content
Career exposure may include
- Social Media Coordinator
- Content Creator
- Marketing Coordinator
- Communications Associate
- Photographer
- Videographer
- Community Manager
- Brand Coordinator
One program. Four pathways. A shared professional foundation.
Paid Work Experience
Participants complete meaningful paid assignments connected to their career pathway.
Workforce Readiness
Build practical skills in communication, professionalism, organization, time management, teamwork, problem-solving, and workplace expectations.
Financial Literacy
Learn how to understand paychecks, taxes, banking, budgeting, savings, credit, employee classifications, benefits, and financial decision-making.
Digital & AI Fluency
Practice using workplace technology and AI to support research, writing, organization, analysis, communication, and problem-solving while learning how to evaluate accuracy, protect information, and use good judgment.
Career Coaching
Receive individualized support identifying strengths, career interests, barriers, goals, and next steps.
Professional Network
Meet employers, entrepreneurs, mentors, and professionals through site visits, workshops, career conversations, and work-based learning.
Professional Portfolio
Leave with a resume, documented work experience, work samples or projects when appropriate, professional references when earned, and an individualized career plan.
Digital & AI Skills for Work
Participants build practical experience with the tools now common across modern workplaces, including spreadsheets, shared documents, workplace software, project-management platforms, automation tools, and generative AI.
The goal is not to train participants for technical AI careers. The goal is to make sure they can enter a modern workplace prepared to use new tools responsibly, productively, and with good judgment.
Participants learn how to:
- use AI to support research, writing, organization, analysis, and problem-solving
- evaluate AI-generated information before relying on it
- protect confidential and sensitive information
- recognize situations where AI should not be used
- use technology without replacing their own judgment
- adapt as workplace tools and expectations change
From application to your next opportunity.
- 1
Learn
Build workplace, financial, digital, and AI skills.
- 2
Practice
Apply those skills through paid work and real projects.
- 3
Demonstrate
Build work samples, a resume, references, and evidence of what you can do.
- 4
Connect
Meet employers, mentors, entrepreneurs, and professionals who can help expand your understanding of possible career paths.
- 5
Advance
Move toward employment, an advanced internship, education, training, apprenticeship, or entrepreneurship.
See how real workplaces run.
You do not need to have everything figured out.
Applicants must:
- Be between 16 and 24 years old at the beginning of the program
- Live in Chicago
- Be eligible to participate in paid employment
- Be available for the full program period
- Participate in required work, training, coaching, and career-development activities
- Be willing to communicate consistently and receive feedback
You do not need:
- Previous professional experience
- A college degree
- A specific GPA
- A perfect resume
- To already know exactly what career you want
DRK is looking for curiosity, reliability, interest, and willingness to learn.
Talent is everywhere. Access is not.
Career Lab is designed to reduce barriers that can keep young adults from participating in professional opportunities.
Depending on participant needs and available program resources, support may include:
- paid work experience
- CTA transportation support
- access to technology and software
- workplace materials
- professional coaching
- mentorship
- financial education
- employer and professional introductions
- accessibility support
The goal is to make sure transportation, technology, professional networks, or lack of previous experience are not the reason a young person cannot participate.
Access should not be the reason someone cannot participate.
DRK will work with participants to identify barriers that could interfere with successful participation.
Depending on available resources and individual needs, program support may include:
- CTA transportation assistance
- technology access
- required work materials
- professional-development resources
- career coaching
- accessibility accommodations
Applicants can identify support needs confidentially during the application process.
Career Lab is a starting point, not the finish line.
Graduates become part of the DRK Career Lab alumni network and may continue receiving job leads, partner referrals, mentorship opportunities, professional-development resources, and access to DRK entrepreneurship support.
Career Lab is built around what happens next.
The program is designed to create measurable progress, not simply participation.
By the end of Career Lab, DRK expects participants to have:
- completed paid work-based learning
- strengthened workplace-readiness skills
- increased financial knowledge
- increased digital and AI fluency
- developed work samples or portfolio materials
- expanded their professional network
- completed a resume and career plan
- identified a specific next step
DRK will follow participant progress after the program to understand whether graduates move into employment, education, additional training, advanced internships, apprenticeships, or entrepreneurship.
Leave with more than experience.
By the end of Career Lab, participants should have a clearer answer to five questions:
DRK Career Lab 2027 FAQs
Who can apply?
Chicago young adults ages 16–24 can apply. Applicants should be available for the full program period and eligible to participate in paid employment.
Do I need previous work experience?
No. Previous professional experience is not required. DRK is looking for applicants who are dependable, curious, willing to learn, and interested in gaining real work experience.
Do I need to be in college?
No. Career Lab is open to eligible applicants whether they are in high school, college, a training program, working, looking for work, or exploring their next step.
Is Career Lab paid?
Yes. Career Lab is designed as a paid work-based learning program. Final compensation, schedule, and employment details will be shared with selected participants before onboarding.
How long is the program?
The 2027 Career Lab is planned as a 16-week program combining paid work experience, training, coaching, financial education, mentorship, and career exposure.
How many hours will I work?
Participants should expect approximately 15 hours per week, including work assignments and required Career Lab activities. Final schedules may vary by placement.
When will Career Lab take place?
Career Lab 2027 will begin in June 2027 and is expected to run for approximately 16 weeks, with participants completing about 15 hours per week. Final orientation dates, weekly schedules, and placement details will be shared with selected participants before they formally accept a spot.
What career pathways are available?
Applicants can explore four pathways:
- Nonprofit & Food Distribution
- Hospitality & Restaurant Operations
- Accounting & Business Finance
- Social Media & Content Creation
Do I have to know which pathway I want before I apply?
No. You will be asked to identify your first and second choices, but you do not need to have your career figured out. DRK will use the application, orientation, and placement process to help identify a strong fit.
Am I guaranteed my first-choice pathway?
No. Placements depend on participant interests, availability, skills, program fit, and available partner opportunities. DRK will work with participants to find the strongest available match.
Where will I work?
Participants may complete assignments with DRK or approved partner organizations and businesses. Placement details will be shared with selected participants before the program begins.
Will I be placed in a job after the program?
Employment is not guaranteed. Career Lab is designed to strengthen your ability to move into employment, another internship, education, training, apprenticeship, or entrepreneurship. DRK will also make employer and partner introductions when appropriate.
What will I learn?
All participants receive a shared foundation in workplace communication, professionalism, time management, financial literacy, workplace technology, career planning, and professional development. Participants also build skills specific to their selected pathway.
Will I receive help with my resume?
Yes. Participants will work on their resume, career plan, and professional portfolio. Depending on the pathway, the portfolio may include work samples, projects, or other examples of completed work.
Will transportation support be available?
DRK plans to provide transportation support based on available program resources and participant needs. Applicants can identify transportation barriers in the application.
What if I do not have a computer?
Applicants can identify technology access needs during the application process. DRK will work with selected participants to address barriers where program resources allow.
What if I need an accommodation?
DRK wants participants to be able to participate fully in Career Lab. Applicants can identify general barriers or support needs during the application process. If you are selected to move forward, DRK can discuss specific accommodations with you privately.
How are applicants selected?
DRK will review applicants based on factors such as interest, reliability, willingness to learn, potential to benefit from the program, pathway alignment, and availability.
DRK is not looking for the applicant with the most polished resume. Career Lab is specifically intended to help young people build experience and professional access.
When is the application deadline?
Applications for DRK Career Lab 2027 will remain open through April 2027. DRK will review applications after the application period closes, and applicants will be notified of decisions in May 2027.
What happens after I apply?
Applications will remain open through April 2027. After the application period closes, DRK will review submissions and contact applicants selected to move forward for a short conversation about their interests, availability, and Career Lab goals. Applicants will be notified of final decisions in May 2027.
What happens if I am not selected?
Not being selected for one cohort does not mean you are not a strong candidate for future opportunities. Applicants who would like feedback can contact DRK after decisions are released, and we will provide feedback when capacity allows.
Can I apply again in the future?
Yes. Applicants who are not selected may apply for future cohorts if they continue to meet program eligibility requirements.
Will my application information be kept private?
DRK will use application information for program review, participant support, program administration, and required aggregate reporting. Sensitive employment documents will not be requested through the initial application.
Who should I contact with questions?
Email contact@dishroulettekitchen.com with questions about Career Lab or the application process.
Ready to build experience?
Career Lab is designed for Chicago young adults who want an opportunity to learn, work, explore careers, and build a clearer path forward.
You do not need previous professional experience to apply.
Questions? Contact DRK
contact@dishroulettekitchen.com