Amanda Look Part of Associated Colleges of the Midwest Urban Studies Program

Amanda Look '08 chose to think outside the typical box of fall term classes and internships. Her internship is one of four academic credit-bearing components of the Associated Colleges of the Midwest Urban Studies program.

The program offers students of any major the opportunity to earn college credit living, learning, and working in America?s third largest city. It challenges students to integrate their personal, professional, and public lives through internships, academic seminars, core course work, and urban living experience.

Look lives in Hyde Park. Her role at work goes beyond the walls of an office cubicle. She works on grant-making and fundraising activities at Crossroads Fund, a foundation that raises money to support organizations working for social and economic justice.

Offering more than 350 internships with organizations in industries from politics and planning or journalism to health care school reform and gender issues, the Urban Studies program helps Look, and three other Knox students, gain valuable information and skills for getting involved in social change and shows them how to apply their talents to the things that they are passionate about.

Students intern for some of the world?s biggest companies in the windy city. "I have learned a lot about city living, racial issues, and the impact that media has on our society (I am in the class Media, Race and Politics)," Look says.

Juggling their professional and personal lives and experiencing Chi-town's social scene isn't easy, but students ultimately walk away understanding what life is really like outside the four walls of a college classroom. "I am really enjoying the experience of living in Chicago so far," Look says. 

Not knowing if she wanted to go immediately into the workforce or attend graduate school, Look says she is learning a lot. "And while I don?t know for sure what my final answer will be, I know this experience is going to definitely have a significant impact on my final decision."     

Crediting the students, faculty, and deans for the opportunities offered at Knox, Look says she has grown as a student, leader, and person. "The classes are challenging, and I get as much attention as I need from professors. I like the Greek system (I?m a Tri-Delta), and I like the social scene."

In addition to visiting the campus and other schools similar to Knox, Looks older sister attended Knox. "I visited her a few times before I start looking. The other schools  didn?t even compare. I just felt comfortable at Knox. I knew it the minute I was on campus," Look summizes.

"I expect that Knox will help me live my life. I will keep the same friends, and use the lessons that I have learned on this campus," she adds.

Look supposes her long term plans include a Masters degree in Public Relations and Communication. "I want to have a career in Chicago, probably in PR, marketing, or advertising."