Origami – Project Assistant 1-year Apprenticeship
Website https://twitter.com/origamiworks Origami Works Foundation
Unfolding Potential
Closing date: February 27, 2026
Job Title: Project Assistant
Hours per week: 20-25 hours
Pay: $17 per hour with a tuition stipend
Start: Summer 2026
End: Summer 2027
Duration: 1 year
Modality: In-person – flexible schedule
Eligibility: Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.
Experience / Education requirements:
- Second year student on a degree seeking pathway, an associate degree
- Proficient in English
- Completed BUS 259 (preferred)
- Completed BUS 273 (preferred)
- Completed 30 credit hours
- GPA: 2.5
Company Description:
Origami Works Foundation provides leadership, funding, and project management for workforce development initiatives in Chicago and Cook County. We envision a future in which all Chicago area residents have access to rewarding work with employers who embrace the benefits of truly inclusive employment practices. We work toward this by bridging gaps between Chicago area residents who face barriers to rewarding employment and their potential employers. We collaborate with like-minded organizations to develop workforce development and career
education programs.
- We believe:
Our mission is best fulfilled when we embrace the diversity of our community as a fundamental strength. - Rewarding work meets individuals’ employment needs and career goals, and supports them in reaching their potential.
- Truly inclusive employment practices go beyond standard diversity efforts to intentionally prioritize hiring and retaining individuals who face employment barriers such as poverty, lack of education, justice involvement, and transportation challenges.
- Collaborating with partners increases the likelihood that programs are successful and sustainable.
- Removing barriers to work is a win-win-win for employees, employers, and communities.
- Experience is as valuable as formal education.
We embrace diversity as a value and a practice. Achieving diversity requires an enduring commitment to inclusion that must find full expression in our organizational culture, values, norms and behaviors. Throughout our work, we support diversity in all of its forms,
encompassing but not limited to age, disability status, economic circumstance, ethnicity, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Leading by example, we aspire to make diversity a core and abiding strength of the nonprofit sector.
encompassing but not limited to age, disability status, economic circumstance, ethnicity, gender, race, religion and sexual orientation. Leading by example, we aspire to make diversity a core and abiding strength of the nonprofit sector.
Job Summary:
The Project Assistant works directly with Project Managers to support one or more projects. The Project Assistant is responsible for assisting with projects, communications, documentation, and data management.
Project Support
- Assist Project Manager to set up and monitor project information including tasks, timelines, issues and general status
- Follow up with project team members on their tasks as well any issues or obstacles
Communications
- Assist with scheduling meetings and setting up calendar invitations
- Assist with drafting and sending emails as well as monitoring and following up on responses
- Take notes during meetings and share them with the project team
- Request input and feedback from project team members
- Assist with posting and monitoring project communication on Origami Works Foundation websites and LinkedIn
Documentation and Data Management
- Assist in the preparation, formatting, reviewing and editing of project and operations documents, presentations, and reports
- Enter, update and maintain project information in project management software and/or and tracking spreadsheets to ensure data integrity and confidentiality
- Prepare and distribute meeting agendas, notes, and other project information
- Assist Project Manager with generating, reviewing, and distributing project status reports
Representation of Origami Works Foundation
- Support project teams as needed to ensure the success of the foundation, their colleagues, projects, initiatives, partners, and community.
Qualifications:
The Project Assistant is expected to have the following experience, skills and knowledge to perform their job effectively:
- Good with people
- Ability to learn new things and put them into practice
- Proficiency in online collaboration tools (Google Workspace or Microsoft Office Suite)
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Administrative experience (responding to emails, setting up meetings, tracking information in spreadsheets) preferred
- High school diploma or equivalent
Before you Apply:
Click here to download sample resume and cover letter
Contact the Career Development Department at your campus for assistance with your résumé, cover letter or interviewing workshops:
Contact through Navigate
- Daley College – Julie MacCarthy – on Navigate
- Harold Washington College – Jasmin Dobson OR Ashley Smith – on Navigate
- Kennedy-King College – Ingrid Prioleau Byrd – on Navigate
Contact through email:
- Malcolm X College – Maria Gutierrez – MXC-Careers@ccc.edu
- Olive-Harvey College – Charlene Haymond-Bussell – chaymond-bussell@ccc.edu
- Truman College – Meredith Gallo-Murphy – mgallo-murphy@ccc.edu
- Wilbur Wright College – Joe Reaves – jreaves@ccc.edu
How to Apply:
- Review this job description
- Update your Resume and Cover Letter (templates above)
- Click the link below to Apply
- After completing the application link, your résumé and cover letter will be screened by CCC to determine. If you meet the requirements for the position, you’ll be contacted for the next steps.
