APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
After a fantastic inaugural year, The Launchpad is back for Year Two! This isn't just a summer job; it's a strategic investment in your future.
Go beyond the average summer gig, with paid opportunities that provide genuine work experience in a supportive environment. Designed for meaningful growth, The Launchpad is the place to invest in your future. Read about the program, explore participating employers, and apply today to be part of our exciting second year!
Who Can Apply?
Mercer County students entering their junior and senior years of high school.
Wondering how The Launchpad can ignite your potential? It's a process designed for success wherever life takes you!
For our Mercer County junior and senior high school students, it starts with exploring the exciting paid opportunities listed below. See a position that aligns with your ambitions? Apply right away! Our meticulous pre-screening process then swings into action, allowing us to confidently present our dedicated participating businesses with a pool of highly qualified candidates poised to make meaningful contributions from day one.
For the businesses, partnering with The Launchpad means making a powerful commitment to fostering local talent. By providing these enriching, paid internships, they're not just gaining motivated help; they're actively equipping the next generation with the practical skills and industry insights needed to thrive, while gaining fresh perspectives themselves. These experiences also provide invaluable real-world context, helping students clarify their interests and make more informed decisions about their next steps after graduation, whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce.
This is truly a win-win! The Launchpad fosters a powerful collaboration between education and industry, actively nurturing the future workforce while providing Mercer County businesses with engaged and ready individuals.
Get ready to build a vibrant future – together!
HOW does it work?
click the above image to email your questions about The Launchpad to our Program Director.
Disposal Pros
Job Title: Laborer
Location: All of Mercer County/Quad Cities area
Website: www.facebook.com/DisposalPros1
Mission Statement: To help people make their properties nice again.
If you’re looking for an internship with a company that is genuine and honest in all interactions, focused on customer needs, satisfaction, & building trust, continuously seeking new ideas, solutions, and approaches, consider Disposal Pros. A summer internship with them will be spent doing a wide variety of manual tasks like loading and unloading materials, flood & storm clean-up, junk & trash removal, exterior & yard cleaning, pool & hot tub services, interior demo & clean-up, estate/rental/foreclosure clean out, move in - move out cleaning, and mowing services. Disposal Pros is hoping that their intern will enjoy their internship so much that they become a full-time employee, helping them achieve long-term growth.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: Operation of tools and equipment, Following safety procedures, Comprehension of construction plans, Teamwork improvement, Problem-solving, and Communication skills
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are having a driver's license, the ability to follow directions, a strong work ethic, and willingness to be part of a team.
Schedule: 10-25 hours that could lead to full-time
Pay: $15-$16/hour
Industry: Construction, Property Cleaning
Industry: Retail
Farmers state bank
of western illinois
Job Title: Customer Service Rep
Location: Aledo, New Windsor, Viola, IL
Website: www.fsbwil.com
Company Values: To provide excellent customer service
A summer internship at Farmers State Bank of Western Illinois will include providing customer service with daily transactions including receipt and payment of cash, closing accounts, answering inquiries, and referring customers for appropriate services. This customer service intern will greet & assist customers, complete general teller duties, which include but are not limited to cashing checks, accepting deposits & loan payments, processing night deposits & mail, cash advances, etc. You’ll be able to promote all bank products, participates in sales, service & product training meetings, answer phone calls, redeem bonds, issue cashier’s checks & money orders, process end of day cash advance machine, water bills & real estate tax payments, exhibit accuracy in daily balancing, prepare statements for mailing, and many other tasks to assist with the smooth daily operation of the teller line.
This employer is hoping their intern provides great service to their customers.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: Strong teamwork
Schedule: varied, including Saturdays; may be required to work hours outside of those scheduled
Pay: $15/hour, no benefits
Industry: Finance
1st community bank
Job Title: Teller
Location: Aledo, IL
Website: 1stcommunitybanks.com
Company Values: Our standards are based on the best customer service we can give.
A day in the life of a summer intern at 1st Community Bank looks like waiting on customers at the teller line, going to the post office, and interacting with customers daily.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: Strong communication skills, Basic teller transactions, Ability to pick up new responsibilities quickly
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are a cheerful and outgoing nature, since their face will be the first customers see when they enter the bui9lding.
Schedule: 25 hours/week | 8:00-4:00 or 8:00-12:00 depending on the day. 8:00-12:00 Saturday mornings, every other Saturday
Pay: Under 18, $14/hour | 18 & over, $15/hour
Industry: Construction
Indian Bluff Supply
Job Title: Carpenter
Location: Various, within 45 minutes of Aledo
Website: www.indianbluffsupply.com
Mission Statement: To provide high quality pole frame sheds and houses.
Interning with Indian Bluff Supply means working hard and providing above the bar customer satisfaction. This intern can expect to spend their days building wood post and stud frame buildings with steel sidewalls, roofs and trim. Digging post holes, framing, hanging trusses, applying steel sidewalls & roofs, installing windows & doors, insulating walls & ceilings, hanging interior ceiling & wall steel/trim, framing interior walls & floors, etc. are all part of construction for this internship. The carpenter intern will also be using hand tools, power tools and construction equipment such as skid steers, boom lifts, scissor lifts, telehandlers, etc.
Indian Bluff Supply is hoping for a positive learning experience for the intern and increased efficiency and speed with which they can construct new buildings.
From Indian Bluff Supply:
The opportunity to build something that can be enjoyed by others for years to come gives a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that few other jobs can offer.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: General carpentry and wood framing skills, Midsize equipment operating skills, Problem solving skills, Experience working in a team environment pursuing a common goal
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are showing up on time and being dependable, willingness to practice safety on the job site, following instructions paying attention to details, being a team player on a crew, taking initiative and being prepared, flexibility, enjoying working outdoors and inside, self driven to finish tasks independently, can not be afraid of heights
Schedule: 40 hours/week
Pay: $17/hour, with possibility to increase quickly after a couple weeks
Industry: Finance, Education, Business/Professional Services
Justin cook - state farm insurance
Job Title: Summer Intern
Location: Aledo, IL
Website: www.justincook.net
Mission Statement: To help our clients to protect everything they value.
A summer internship with Justin Cook - State Farm Insurance pairs you with one of the top State Farm agencies in the USA. Your job duties would include helping find prospects and making marketing calls to individuals and businesses, as well as setting appointments. This intern can expect to have their life and perception changed; the culture alone giving them a real world, invaluable experience.
From Justin Cook - State Farm Insurance:
I am not taking you on just to be a summer intern, I am taking you on to change your life.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: Communication, Resilience, Marketing, leadership
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are being a reliably hard worker with a driven, positive attitude, and competitiveness.
Schedule: Flexible
Pay: Commission only, with up to $30/hour possible
Industry: Recreation
MERCER COUNTY FAMILY YMCA
Job Title: Lifeguard/Swim Instructor
Location: Aledo, IL
Website: www.mercercountyymca.org
Mission Statement: To put Christian principles into programs that promote a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The YMCA is the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening individuals and communities across the country. At the Y, we’re here to help you find your “why” – your greater sense of purpose – by connecting you with opportunities to improve your health, support young people, make new friends and contribute to a stronger, more cohesive community for all.
As an intern with Mercer County Family YMCA you will instruct private and/or group swim lessons, lead the Safety Around Water Program, become certified in YMCA Lifeguarding, ASHI CPR, ASHI First Aid, and Emergency O2 Administration. Role responsibilities include teaching kids how to be safe in or around water, teach skills relating to water safety and swimming techniques, ensure a safe swimming environment for the members and visitors of the Mercer County Family YMCA.
The Mercer County Family YMCA is hoping their intern will be a positive role model for the community youth who visit their facility or participate in their programming.
From Mercer County Family YMCA:
The Y is great place to work. At the Y, you are part of a team of individuals who care deeply about community and the people who need us most. There are a wide variety of careers in the YMCA movement from childcare to fitness, from youth sports to meal programs, the Y has something for everyone. There is always room for advancement at a Y. If the Y is a place you could see yourself building a career someday, this would be a great first opportunity. Our leadership staff is connected to YMCA leaders across the nation so when/if you go off to college we can connect you with possible job positions in those areas.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: Communicating with people of all ages, Planning and developing lesson plans for classes as well as tracking progress of participants, and Skills related to the service industry
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are good communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
Schedule: 5-20 hours/week
Pay: $15/hour +free YMCA membership
Industry: IT, Construction, Business/Professional Services
Reynolds Communications
Job Title: Combination Tech
Location: Reynolds, IL
Website: reytel.net
Company Values: We provide Fast, Reliable, Internet with friendly local service.
A summer internship with Reynolds Communications is largely construction labor, where you will gain experience in directional drilling & plowing, as well as installation, utility locating, IP Networking, and troubleshooting. This company is hoping their summer intern increases production and generates future interest in the Telecom Trades.
From Reynolds Communications:
If you want to learn about the growing field of utility construction while also seeing the inner workings of a fiber Internet provider, and get plenty of exercise in the process, this is a great opportunity for you.
Skills you should expect to develop in this role: General construction, Installation, and Troubleshooting knowledge
The qualities an ideal candidate should possess are showing up on time and being able to work outside in the heat of summer. A driver’s license is required for this internship.
Schedule: 24-32 hours/week
Pay: $16.50/hour