Summer Associate Jobs in Illinois
Summer associate jobs in Illinois are concentrated in law, finance, consulting, and investment banking, with Chicago anchoring one of the most active recruiting markets in the country for early-career talent at the pre-offer stage. Most hiring runs through Chicago, with smaller pipelines in Evanston and Naperville, where firms like Kirkland & Ellis, Sidley Austin, and Deloitte maintain major Illinois operations. The most in-demand specialties are corporate transactional work, litigation, and financial advisory. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Summer Associate jobs
About us
We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.
HEALTHCARE MARGIN IMPROVEMENT CONSULTING ASSOCIATE
As a Healthcare Margin Improvement Consulting Associate at RSM, you will work with various sized healthcare organizations across the spectrum of healthcare providers and receive hands-on client experience with direct access to clients at various management levels. At the start of your full time position, you’ll be assigned a “Performance Advisor” who will help you establish your career goals.
RSM’s Healthcare Margin Improvement Consulting group provides value added business performance improvement services to clientele and you will have the ability to be exposed to a wide variety of healthcare sectors and clients. Examples of projects include revenue cycle, clinical operations, supply chain, pharmacy, and managed care program assessments, service line optimizations, and implementation of strategic business plans to improve patient satisfaction, and the financial position of healthcare organizations.
Examples of the candidate’s responsibilities include:
Sit in on client meetings and support conducting consulting projects
Preparing reports on consulting services performed for clients; delivering reports where appropriate and discussing results and recommendations with clients
Traveling to client locations as requested to provide consulting services
Completing client projects efficiently in accordance with the project timeline and critical dates
Leveraging proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to analyze client information and document results and recommendations
Opportunity to attend specific conferences, trainings, & meetings to continue professional development relevant to the role
Basic Requirements
Pursuing at least a B.A. / B.S. degree or equivalent from accredited university
Major in Business, Finance, Data Analytics Preferred
Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred
Travel to assigned client locations may be required. Must have access to and ability to arrange for use of reliable modes of transportation to those locations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong computer skills, including MS Office
Strong multi-tasking and project management skills
Ability to work as an effective member of a team
Must possess a high degree of integrity and professionalism
Interested in pursuing certifications in Epic, Oracle Health (Cerner), CRCR – Certified Revenue Cycle Representative, and CHFP – Certified Healthcare Financial Professional
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.
RSM does not intend to hire entry-level candidates who require sponsorship now or in the future. This includes individuals who will one day request or require RSM to file or complete immigration-related forms or prepare letters on their behalf in order for them to obtain or continue their work authorization.
RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California
At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Compensation Range: $63,360 - $75,600About us
We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.
HEALTHCARE MARGIN IMPROVEMENT CONSULTING ASSOCIATE
As a Healthcare Margin Improvement Consulting Associate at RSM, you will work with various sized healthcare organizations across the spectrum of healthcare providers and receive hands-on client experience with direct access to clients at various management levels. At the start of your full time position, you’ll be assigned a “Performance Advisor” who will help you establish your career goals.
RSM’s Healthcare Margin Improvement Consulting group provides value added business performance improvement services to clientele and you will have the ability to be exposed to a wide variety of healthcare sectors and clients. Examples of projects include revenue cycle, clinical operations, supply chain, pharmacy, and managed care program assessments, service line optimizations, and implementation of strategic business plans to improve patient satisfaction, and the financial position of healthcare organizations.
Examples of the candidate’s responsibilities include:
Sit in on client meetings and support conducting consulting projects
Preparing reports on consulting services performed for clients; delivering reports where appropriate and discussing results and recommendations with clients
Traveling to client locations as requested to provide consulting services
Completing client projects efficiently in accordance with the project timeline and critical dates
Leveraging proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint to analyze client information and document results and recommendations
Opportunity to attend specific conferences, trainings, & meetings to continue professional development relevant to the role
Basic Requirements
Pursuing at least a B.A. / B.S. degree or equivalent from accredited university
Major in Business, Finance, Data Analytics Preferred
Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred
Travel to assigned client locations may be required. Must have access to and ability to arrange for use of reliable modes of transportation to those locations
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong computer skills, including MS Office
Strong multi-tasking and project management skills
Ability to work as an effective member of a team
Must possess a high degree of integrity and professionalism
Interested in pursuing certifications in Epic, Oracle Health (Cerner), CRCR – Certified Revenue Cycle Representative, and CHFP – Certified Healthcare Financial Professional
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.
RSM does not intend to hire entry-level candidates who require sponsorship now or in the future. This includes individuals who will one day request or require RSM to file or complete immigration-related forms or prepare letters on their behalf in order for them to obtain or continue their work authorization.
RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California
At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Compensation Range: $63,360 - $75,600See All 20 Summer Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Summer Associate JobsSummer Associate Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Summer Associate Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in summer associate jobs across Illinois.
- Currently enrolled in an accredited JD, MBA, or related graduate program in good standing
- Completed at least one year of law school or a relevant graduate degree program
- Strong academic record demonstrated through GPA, law review, or moot court participation
- Prior internship, clinic, or legal research experience in a relevant practice area
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills for client-facing and courtroom work
- Proficiency with legal research platforms such as Westlaw or LexisNexis
Summer Associate Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a summer associate in Illinois?
Becoming a summer associate in Illinois typically requires enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school or a top MBA program, with firms recruiting heavily after the completion of the first year. Most large Chicago law firms recruit through on-campus interviews coordinated by law school career services offices. No Illinois bar license is required for a summer associate position, but strong academic performance, relevant coursework, and clinic or journal experience improve a candidate's standing significantly.
Which companies hire summer associates in Illinois?
Employers hiring summer associates in Illinois right now include Grant Thornton, Clark Construction, and RSM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Chicago's concentration of Am Law 100 firms, Big Four consulting offices, and global investment banks makes Illinois one of the deepest markets in the country for summer associate recruiting.
Which Illinois cities have the most summer associate jobs?
Chicago, Cordova, and Riverwoods account for the largest share of summer associate openings in Illinois. Chicago leads by a wide margin because it is home to the headquarters and major offices of the firms that run the largest summer associate classes, while Evanston and Naperville draw activity from regional law firms and professional services companies with suburban campuses.
Are there remote summer associate jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Summer associate roles are designed around in-person mentorship, client exposure, and team integration, so most firms require on-site presence throughout the summer. About 67% of summer associate openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be in research-heavy or document-review assignments rather than client-facing rotations.
How can I get hired as a summer associate in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path for candidates without prior firm experience is applying through a first-year diversity fellowship or 1L summer program, which large Chicago firms like Jenner & Block and Winston & Strawn run specifically for students without traditional legal internship backgrounds. Law school clinics, judicial externships through Illinois courts, and pro bono work through the Chicago Bar Foundation also signal readiness. A strong first-year GPA and law journal membership carry the most weight at the screening stage.
Where can I find and apply to summer associate jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to summer associate jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your practice area interest and class year, then apply directly to the positions that fit your background.
See All 20 Summer Associate Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Summer Associate Jobs