Year-Round Intern - Desktop Engineering

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Options Clearing Corporation (OCC) is offering a year-round IT internship in Chicago. Interns provide advanced technical support, handle complex tickets, and serve as escalation points for junior staff. The role covers hardware, software, and network systems with strong communication skills for customers, vendors, and IT teams.

The program runs January through December 2027. Interns work up to 20 hours weekly during the school year and up to 40 hours weekly in summer, subject to a 1,000-hour

Qualifications

• Log incoming tickets in ServiceNow with complete detail and timestamps.
• Prioritize tickets based on type and urgency.
• Provide first-level troubleshooting for hardware, software, and connectivity issues.

Responsibilities

• Log incoming tickets with details and timestamps.
• Categorize and prioritize tickets by urgency.
• Check ServiceNow for duplicates before treating as new.
• Provide first-level troubleshooting for hardware, software, and connectivity issues.
• Reset passwords and unlock user accounts per security procedures.
• Provision applications to users for VDI.
• Assist with basic network connectivity issues (Wi‑Fi, VPN).
• Escalate unresolved issues with clear documentation to Level 2/3.
• Follow up to confirm resolution and close tickets.
• Maintain knowledge base articles and internal docs.
• Communicate clearly to non-technical users.

Skills

Windows 11 basics

Active Directory basics

ServiceNow experience

Troubleshooting mindset

Written communication

Education

Computer Science or equivalent

Tools

ServiceNow

Job description

Location

Chicago

Internship type

Year-round intern (1,000 hours max, January 2027-December 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. Your time with us is a real opportunity to make a genuine impact on the future of OCC!

OCC's Year-Round Internship Program is a 12-month opportunity running from January through December and is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are actively enrolled at a college or university. Interns work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer, subject to a 1,000‑hour cap. The role is based in a hybrid work environment, and overtime is not permitted.

• 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

About The Team & Role

The intern will provide advanced technical support, resolve complex issues, and often serve as an escalation point for junior staff. Interns will have deep knowledge of hardware, software, and network systems, coupled with strong communication skills for interacting with customers, vendors, and other IT teams. Their role often extends to training, developing support processes, and project participation.

Job Summary & Responsibilities

• Log incoming tickets in ServiceNow with complete detail, including user information, issue description, screenshots, and timestamps
• Categorize and prioritize tickets based on issue type and urgency
• Check ServiceNow for duplicate or related tickets before treating an issue as isolated
• Provide first‑level troubleshooting for hardware, software, and connectivity issues
• Reset passwords and unlock user accounts in accordance with security procedures
• Provision applications to users for VDI
• Assist with basic network connectivity issues, including Wi‑Fi and VPN access
• Escalate unresolved or complex issues to Level 2/3 support with clear documentation of steps already taken
• Follow up with users to confirm issue resolution and close tickets appropriately
• Maintain and update knowledge base articles or internal documentation as needed
• Provide friendly, clear communication to non‑technical users throughout the support process

Desired Majors

• Computer Science or comparable

Technical Skills/Experience Desired

• Basic understanding of Windows 11 (or Windows 10/11 generally)
• Understanding of Active Directory concepts (users, groups, lockouts); admin experience not required
• Comfortable navigating ticketing systems (ServiceNow experience is a plus, not required)
• Basic troubleshooting mindset: reproduce issue - isolate cause - elevate if needed

Additional Qualifications

• Written communication precision — tickets need to be actionable by someone who wasn't on the call
• Basic understanding of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) concepts, even without hands‑on VMware/Horizon experience
• Exposure to scripting or automation (even basic) for repetitive tasks
• Ability to translate technical issues into plain language for non‑technical users
• Comfortable documenting steps taken so another technician could pick up where you left off

About Us

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 23 exchanges and trading platforms. More information about OCC is available at www.theocc.com.

Compensation

• The salary range listed for any given position is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses. If hired at OCC, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors such as skills, experience and/or education.
• In addition, we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
• We typically do not hire at the maximum of the range in order to allow for future and continued salary growth. We also offer a substantial benefits package as noted on www.theocc.com/careers
• All employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus. Discretionary bonuses are based on various factors, including, but not limited to, company and individual performance and are not guaranteed.

Salary Range

$25.00 - $25.00

Incentive Range

This position is eligible for an annual discretionary incentive compensation award, for which the target range is listed above (see Incentive Range). The amount of such award, if any, will be based on various factors, including without limitation, both individual and company performance.

OCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer