2027 APPLICATION NOW OPEN

Build real experience. Find your next step.

Career Lab is a paid workforce development program for Chicago young adults ages 16–24. Participants build professional skills, complete real work, explore career pathways, and leave with experience they can use in their next opportunity.

  • Paid Program
  • Ages 16–24
  • Chicago
  • 16 Weeks
  • 16 Participants
  • Launching June 2027
Apply for DRK Career Lab 2027 Explore the Career Pathways
Previous professional experience is not required.
Applications open through April 2027.

Experience should not be a prerequisite for getting experience.

Young people are often asked to have experience before anyone gives them the opportunity to build it. Career Lab closes that gap by creating paid opportunities to learn, contribute, build relationships, and develop a professional track record.

Participants do not just learn about work. They do real work with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and professionals across Chicago. Participants apply their skills through paid assignments with DRK and participating businesses and organizations, with coaching and feedback throughout the experience.

Build the skills work requires now.

Human Skills

Learn how to communicate professionally, work on a team, solve problems, manage responsibilities, receive feedback, and navigate a workplace with confidence.

Digital & AI Skills

Learn how to use the technology increasingly present in modern workplaces, including AI tools, digital communication, content creation, information organization, and industry-specific platforms.

The goal is not to replace human judgment with technology. Participants learn when technology can help, how to use it responsibly, and how to evaluate the work it produces.

Four pathways. One professional foundation.

Every participant builds the same core professional skills, then puts them to work through one of four career pathways. Participants identify their interests during the application process, and DRK matches those interests with career goals and available work-based learning opportunities.

Pathway 1

Hospitality & Restaurant Operations

Learn how restaurants and hospitality businesses work, from preparing food and managing daily service to leading teams and operating a business.

Experience may include: Food preparation, kitchen operations, POS and ordering systems, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, food safety, customer experience, catering and events, and hospitality technology.

Explore careers such as:

  • Prep Cook
  • Kitchen Manager
  • General Manager
  • Food & Beverage Entrepreneur
Pathway 2

Accounting & Business Operations

Learn how businesses manage money, records, payroll, and the financial and administrative systems behind everyday operations.

Experience may include: Bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, spreadsheets, accounts payable and receivable, financial records, tax preparation support, and administrative workflows.

Explore careers such as:

  • Bookkeeper
  • Office Manager
  • Payroll Specialist
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Pathway 3

Social Media & Content Creation

Learn how organizations turn ideas, products, and stories into content that reaches customers and communities.

Experience may include: Photography, short-form video, social media, content planning, basic design, digital campaigns, audience insights, performance tracking, and responsible use of AI-assisted creative tools.

Explore careers such as:

  • Content Creator
  • Social Media Manager
  • Photographer / Videographer
  • Digital Marketing Strategist
Pathway 4

Community & Nonprofit Operations

Learn how community-serving organizations turn resources into programs, services, and direct support.

Experience may include: program delivery, community outreach, food distribution, inventory, volunteer management, data tracking, events, constituent services, and partner coordination.

Explore careers such as:

  • Program Assistant
  • Community Outreach Specialist
  • Constituent Services Assistant
  • Community Programs Specialist

Potential work environments may include: nonprofit organizations, food distribution programs, local aldermanic offices, chambers of commerce, and other community-serving organizations.

What every Career Lab participant receives

Regardless of pathway, every participant builds a shared professional foundation.

Paid Work Experience

Complete meaningful work while being paid for your time and contribution.

Workforce Readiness

Build communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and workplace skills.

Financial Literacy

Learn the fundamentals of paychecks, taxes, budgeting, banking, credit, and managing money.

Digital & AI Fluency

Use modern workplace technology responsibly, including digital tools and AI, while learning when human judgment matters.

Career Coaching

Receive guidance on professional goals, resumes, interviews, workplace expectations, and next steps.

Professional Network

Build relationships with business owners, professionals, mentors, organizations, and peers.

Professional Portfolio

Leave with a resume, documented experience, work samples or projects when appropriate, professional references when earned, and an individualized career plan.

From application to your next opportunity.

  1. 1

    Learn

    Build workplace, financial, digital, and AI skills.

  2. 2

    Practice

    Apply those skills through paid work and real projects.

  3. 3

    Demonstrate

    Build work samples, a resume, references when earned, and evidence of what you can do.

  4. 4

    Connect

    Meet employers, mentors, entrepreneurs, and professionals who can expand your understanding of possible career paths.

  5. 5

    Advance

    Leave Career Lab with an individualized next-step plan and use your experience, resume, portfolio, coaching, and professional relationships to pursue employment, education, training, an advanced internship, apprenticeship, or entrepreneurship.

See how work actually happens.

Career Lab takes learning beyond the classroom. Participants meet business owners and professionals, visit workplaces, see different roles in action, and learn how organizations operate behind the scenes.

These experiences help participants understand not only what jobs exist, but what those jobs actually look like day to day.

Your network gets bigger.

Career Lab connects participants to business owners, nonprofit leaders, public agencies, industry professionals, and community partners across Chicago. Through career conversations, site visits, workshops, mentorship, and work-based experiences, participants begin building professional relationships of their own.

Part of a larger Chicago network

Who can apply

Career Lab is designed for Chicago young adults ages 16–24 who want to build professional experience and explore what comes next.

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

No experience required

You do not need previous professional experience, college enrollment, a chosen career pathway, or advanced technology or AI experience.

What matters is your willingness to learn, participate consistently, complete the program, and contribute professionally.

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:

  • CTA transportation assistance
  • Technology access and software
  • Required work materials
  • Career coaching
  • Accessibility accommodations
  • Connections to additional resources

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.

DRK conducts a 90-day follow-up to understand each participant’s progress and help connect graduates to additional opportunities when appropriate.

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:

  • Hospitality & Restaurant Operations
  • Accounting & Business Operations
  • Social Media & Content Creation
  • Community & Nonprofit Operations
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 help participants move toward employment, an advanced internship, education, training, apprenticeship, or entrepreneurship.

Participants leave with an individualized next-step plan, and DRK will make employer, partner, education, training, and resource 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 build a professional resume, portfolio, and individualized next-step plan during Career Lab. Depending on their pathway and assignments, participants may also leave with work samples, completed projects, and professional references when earned.

DRK is not looking for the applicant with the most polished resume. Career Lab is designed to help young people build the experience and professional access needed to strengthen one.

What happens after the 16-week program?

Career Lab does not end on the last day of the program. Each participant leaves with a resume, professional portfolio, documented work experience, and an individualized next-step plan.

When appropriate, DRK will make warm introductions to employers, partners, training programs, educational opportunities, and other resources connected to a participant’s goals.

DRK will also conduct a 90-day follow-up with participants to understand their progress, help identify next steps, and connect them to additional opportunities when available.

What if I need transportation, technology, or another accommodation?

DRK plans to provide transportation support based on available program resources and participant needs. Applicants can identify transportation barriers in the application.

Applicants can identify technology access needs during the application process. DRK will work with selected participants to address barriers where program resources allow.

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.

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 that moves you forward?

Career Lab gives you the opportunity to earn, learn, build real work, meet professionals, and leave with a clearer next step.

Apply for DRK Career Lab 2027

Questions? Contact DRK
contact@dishroulettekitchen.com

Photography by Azuree Holloway