For over 35 years, National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) has helped high school students explore careers, gain professional mentorship, and develop leadership skills. Now, Chicago students can participate in a unique day program — right on Northwestern University’s campus.
What types of programs are offered?
Here are just a few of the NSLC options available in Chicago:
- Aerospace: Learn how aircraft and spacecraft are designed, built and operated, with hands-on experience in aerodynamics, propulsion, materials science and structural engineering.
- Sports medicine: Explore the intersection of health care and athletics, learning how to prevent, diagnose and treat injuries while understanding the impact of nutrition, hydration, and psychology on performance.
- Social media marketing: Learn how creativity and strategy drive business success through content creation, audience engagement and data-driven campaign optimization.
- Music production: Discover where creativity meets technology, and learn to use essential tools like DAWs, MIDI, and mixing techniques to create and distribute your own music.
- Emergency medicine: Experience a world where quick thinking is key, and learn essential skills to assess and treat patients in urgent care situations.
Who will love this Chicago summer program?
This program is perfect for rising 10th-12th graders eager to explore careers through hands-on learning and leadership development. It’s ideal for:
- Curious minds – Teens considering fields like medicine, engineering, business, or design who want hands-on experience before choosing a college major.
- Hands-on learners – Students who thrive in interactive environments beyond traditional classroom settings.
- Future leaders – Those looking to develop teamwork, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Busy students – With flexible scheduling, this pre-college program fits around sports, jobs, and other summer commitments.
“The goal is to give students an insight before college on what a future career might look like and what is the career path progression to get there,” says David Lowitz, director of marketing at NSLC.
What parents need to know
NSLC’s summer day programs at Northwestern run for three weeks and allow students to customize their experience. Students can choose from four academic areas — medicine, engineering, business, and art and design — with a variety of rotating courses.
Morning sessions run from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., while afternoon sessions take place from 1:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m. Discounts are available for students enrolling in both.
- Flexible options —Choose one or multiple sessions to fit your teen’s schedule.
- A “choose your own adventure” approach — Your teen can take a medicine course in the morning and a business class in the afternoon, mixing and matching across career areas to meet their own individual interests.
- Immersive experiences – Programs include hands-on simulations, like diagnosing mock patients or engineering wind turbines.
- Industry exposure – Students learn from university faculty, industry professionals, and guest speakers who share insights about their careers.
- College-like environment – Hosted at Northwestern University, the program helps students acclimate to a higher education setting.
- Meal options – Full-day students can bring lunch, explore nearby dining or opt for a meal plan.
Parent tip: Review sample schedules to find the best fit for your teen’s interests.
“Parents see a major benefit in giving their students a low-stakes opportunity to explore potential careers before college,” Lowitz explains. “This program allows them to experience what a field looks and feels like, helping them make more informed decisions about their future.”
The value of NSLC summer pre-college programs
By participating, students:
- Gain valuable exposure to career paths and academic fields they might want to pursue.
- Develop leadership skills that are applicable across all fields.
- Build lasting friendships with like-minded peers from across Chicagoland.
“Students leave with a better understanding of what their future career could look like,” says Lowitz. “They might not become an expert in one week, but they’ll know whether or not it’s something they truly enjoy.”
Give your teen a summer of exploration, leadership, and hands-on learning at NSLC Chicago at Northwestern. Register today.
This content is sponsored by National Student Leadership Conference. Learn more at nslcleaders.org.
