Summer Intern - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

theocc; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work program

Paid sick leave accrual

Job summary

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) in Chicago invites you to join its Summer Internship Program for a 12-week seasonal internship in 2027. Interns work up to 40 hours per week in a hybrid environment, contributing to process improvement, ENG/Networking support, communications, and community initiatives.

No visa sponsorship is available. Interns receive paid sick leave accrual based on hours worked, and OCC emphasizes learning, collaboration, and real-world exposure to financial services

Qualifications

• Open to undergrad/grad students across Communications, Marketing, Organizational Development/Change, Business, or Liberal Arts.
• Process and stakeholder analysis experience beneficial though not required.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office for documenting workflows and trackers.

Responsibilities

• Support Process Improvement Project documentation of current workflows and identify efficiency opportunities.
• Provide administrative and engagement support to Employee Networking Groups.
• Assist with content development for inclusive storytelling campaigns (internal newsletters, websites, media).
• Support nonprofit partnerships or community initiatives as capacity allows.

Skills

Strong written communication

Verbal communication

Microsoft Office

Education

Active undergraduate/graduate student

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

*****THIS POSITION IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR VISA SPONSORSHIP*****

***** INTERNS AND SEASONAL INTERNS ARE ELIGIBLE ONLY FOR PAID SICK LEAVE ACCRUED BASED ON HOURS WORKED. NO OTHER BENEFIT INCLUDING TECHNOLOGY STIPEND APPLY TO INTERNS OR SEASONAL INTERNS*****

Location: Chicago

Internship type: Seasonal intern (12 weeks, summer 2027)

Hybrid Work Program

OCC operates under a Hybrid Work Program which, absent an approved exception, requires employees to work from an OCC office at least 3 days per week . To maximize in-person collaboration, Tuesday and Wednesday are considered anchor days, and all employees are expected to work in the office both days. Employees meeting performance expectations are generally permitted to select 2 other days per week to work remotely if desired. When working remotely, employees are generally expected to work from the state in which they reside, absent an exception approved by Human Resources. Additionally, OCC generally does not permit employees to work while traveling internationally.

About OCC:

A World Class Clearing Organization

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is the world's largest equity derivatives clearing organization. Founded in 1973, OCC is dedicated to promoting stability and market integrity by delivering clearing and settlement services for options, futures and securities lending transactions. As a Systemically Important Financial Market Utility (SIFMU), OCC operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. OCC has more than 100 clearing members and provides central counterparty (CCP) clearing and settlement services to 21 exchanges and trading platforms.

OCC also provides free and engaging educational resources about the benefits and risks of options through its Options Industry Council (OIC ).

OCC is building a culture that empowers continued learning, authentic innovation, and constant creativity.

About the Intern Program:

OCC is looking for interns who are eager to learn, humble enough to ask questions, and ready to think critically about complex problems. The OCC Internship Program equips students with the real‑world skills needed to transition successfully into a career in financial services. As an intern, you will contribute to meaningful projects, applying your skills and knowledge to real challenges facing the business.

OCC's Summer Internship Program is a 12-week opportunity running either May through August or June through September, and is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are actively enrolled at a college or university. Interns work up to 40 hours per week in a hybrid work environment, and overtime is not permitted.

About the Team & Role:

• Process Improvement Project (primary, new for 2026): Document current DEI team workflows (e.g., ENG requests, intake processes, reporting cycles) and identify opportunities to reduce manual effort.
• ENG Support: Provide administrative and engagement support to one or more Employee Networking Groups.
• Communications Support: Assist with content development for inclusive storytelling campaigns, including but not limited to internal newsletters, websites and other media.
• Community Impact Support: Support nonprofit partnership or community impact initiatives as capacity allows.

Candidate Qualifications:

Desired major(s) Communications, Marketing, Organizational Development/Change, Business, or Liberal Arts. Open to Political Science, Sociology, or related social science majors given the process and stakeholder-analysis component of this year's scope.

Technical Skills/Experience Desired

None required. Comfort with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint) is helpful, particularly for documenting workflows and building simple trackers.

Additional Qualifications:

Strong written and verbal communication skills; comfort navigating ambiguity and asking clarifying questions; interest in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; curiosity about how corporate processes