UX Designer Intern

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Designer Intern

Company: Cboe Global Markets

Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design

Date Posted: March 13, 2026

Experience Level: Entry Level (Internship)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship focuses on contributing to the innovation backbone of Cboe Global Markets' UX team, driving projects through user research and cross-departmental collaboration.

• The role involves creating seamless and intuitive user experiences for Cboe's trading and financial technology platforms.

• Interns will gain practical experience in crafting reliable applications and engaging mockups, directly supporting developers and design systems.

• This position offers a structured learning environment, emphasizing collaboration with senior designers, stakeholders, and software engineers to impact company growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the input specifies "UX Designer Intern," the output categories are tailored to the operations industry. For this role, "User Experience (UX) Design / Product Design" is the most appropriate category, reflecting its function within the broader GTM and product development ecosystem. The core responsibilities and skills align with product development support, which often interfaces with Sales Operations and Revenue Operations for user adoption and feedback.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior designers and cross-functional teams to expand and refine the company's comprehensive design system.

• Conduct user research and produce detailed research artifacts to inform specific application projects and strategic design decisions.

• Develop engaging mockups and interactive prototypes for new product features or enhancements, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Effectively communicate design concepts, research findings, and prototype functionalities to business stakeholders and product managers.

• Facilitate smooth handoffs of design assets and specifications to the software engineering team for implementation.

• Actively participate in team meetings, design critiques, and brainstorming sessions to contribute innovative ideas.

• Support the UX team in various research, design, and documentation tasks as needed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities have been expanded to detail the typical workflow of a UX intern within a product development cycle, emphasizing collaboration, research, design execution, and stakeholder communication, which are crucial for product-market fit and user adoption.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Must be an undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in a university or college program.

• Pursuing a degree in User Experience Design (UX Design), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Graphic Design, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Previous internship experience in UX Design, Product Design, or a related field is a strong plus.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple assignments concurrently in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills:

• Strong interest in financial markets and an understanding of the trading or financial technology industry is highly desirable.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate design ideas clearly and concisely.

• Proficient troubleshooting, problem-solving, and customer service skills, essential for user-centric design.

• Foundational knowledge or practical experience working with design systems and design tokens.

Preferred Skills:

• Expertise in Figma for design and prototyping.

• Demonstrated creative problem-solving skills and a strong sense of aesthetics.

• Experience with user research methodologies and artifact production.

• Familiarity with design system expansion and maintenance principles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section elaborates on the "ideal candidate" and "you'll really stand out with" sections from the original description, structuring them into required and preferred skills and adding context relevant to a UX internship within a financial services company. The graduation requirement has been clarified.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 distinct projects demonstrating a user-centered design process, from research to final design.

• Projects should highlight problem definition, user research methodologies, ideation, wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing.

• Include case studies that clearly articulate the design challenges, your role, the process followed, and the outcomes or learnings.

Process Documentation:

• For each portfolio project, provide clear documentation of your design process, including user flows, information architecture diagrams, and wireframes.

• Explain how user feedback and research insights were incorporated into design iterations.

• Detail the tools and technologies used in your design workflow, especially Figma and any design system components.

• Showcase the ability to collaborate with developers and stakeholders, illustrating your handoff process and communication strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this is an internship role, the emphasis is on showcasing the process and potential rather than extensive, finished products. The requirements focus on demonstrating a foundational understanding of UX methodologies and the ability to learn and apply them within a professional setting.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The new hire base pay range for this internship position in the United States is $22.00 - $42.00 per hour.

Benefits:

• Competitive hourly compensation.

• Eligibility for a 401(k) plan with an immediate 2:1 company match, up to an 8% match.

• Paid sick time accrual.

• Daily complimentary in-office lunch from local restaurants.

• Access to complimentary coffee and snacks during office days.

• Opportunities to attend monthly in-office networking events and happy hours.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time internship position, typically expected to be 40 hours per week.

• The work arrangement is hybrid, requiring 3 days in the office and 2 days remote per week.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided in the input has been converted to an hourly rate, as is standard for internships. Benefits have been detailed, including the specific 401(k) match and unique perks like catered lunches, which are attractive to interns. The hybrid work details are also clarified.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Market Infrastructure

Cboe Global Markets operates at the intersection of finance and technology, providing critical market infrastructure and tradable products to global participants. This environment demands precision, reliability, and innovation, making UX design crucial for usability and adoption.

Company Size: Large (typically 1,001-5,000 employees globally, based on typical industry benchmarks for Cboe)

A large company size means interns can expect exposure to established processes, diverse teams, and potentially larger-scale projects, offering significant learning opportunities within a structured corporate framework.

Founded: Cboe Global Markets has a history dating back to 1973, evolving into a leading global exchange. This long-standing presence indicates a stable, experienced organization with a deep understanding of market dynamics and a commitment to continuous evolution.

Team Structure:

• The UX team is positioned as the "innovation backbone" of the company, indicating a central and influential role.

• This team likely comprises senior UX designers, researchers, and potentially UX strategists who mentor junior members.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The team emphasizes extensive cross-departmental and user research to gather valuable insights.

• User-Centric Design: Focus on creating seamless and intuitive user experiences.

• Collaborative Development: Working closely with developers, supporting their use of design systems.

• Agile/Iterative Processes: Implied through the creation of mockups, prototypes, and handoffs to development, suggesting iterative design cycles.

Company Website: https://www.cboe.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Information about Cboe's industry, size, and founding has been inferred based on general knowledge of the company and its public profile to provide context for the operations and UX environment. The team structure and methodology highlight the strategic importance of UX within Cboe.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Internship / Early Career Development

This role is specifically designed for students to gain foundational experience in UX design within a professional financial services setting. It's a stepping stone to entry-level positions.

Reporting Structure:

• The UX intern will report to a senior member of the UX team, likely a UX Designer, Lead UX Designer, or UX Manager.

Operations Impact:

• While an intern's direct impact is developmental, their contributions to design system expansion, research artifacts, and mockups directly support product development efficiency and user experience quality.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Development: Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Figma, learn advanced UX research techniques, and practice design system collaboration.

• Industry Exposure: Develop an understanding of the financial markets, trading platforms, and the unique UX challenges within the FinTech space.

• Networking: Build professional relationships with experienced designers, engineers, and business leaders within a global financial institution.

• Potential for Future Opportunities: A successful internship can lead to opportunities for return internships or entry-level positions at Cboe Global Markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section frames the internship within a broader career development context, emphasizing the learning and networking opportunities crucial for early-career professionals in operations-adjacent fields like UX.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: State-of-the-art corporate offices.

Cboe emphasizes modern, well-equipped office spaces designed to foster collaboration and productivity.

Office Location(s):

• Chicago, Illinois (primary location for this posting)

• Kansas City

• New York City

Interns are expected to work 3 days per week at one of these office locations, with the remaining 2 days remote.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office spaces are designed to encourage interaction, with common areas, meeting rooms, and open-plan workspaces conducive to team collaboration.

• Technology & Tools: Interns will have access to the necessary hardware and software, including industry-standard design tools like Figma, and will be integrated into the company's digital collaboration platforms.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for in-person mentorship from senior designers and engineers, as well as opportunities for spontaneous discussions and brainstorming sessions.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time internship, typically 40 hours per week.

• Hybrid model: 3 days in office, 2 days remote. The specific in-office days may be flexible or determined by team needs.

• The internship program runs from June to August, concluding with a final presentation and retreat.

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the office environment focuses on aspects relevant to an intern's experience: collaboration tools, access to technology, and the structure of the hybrid work model.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Resumes and applications will be reviewed to assess academic background, relevant coursework, and stated interest in UX and finance.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will be asked to submit a portfolio showcasing their UX design process, projects, and problem-solving skills. This is a critical step.

• Technical/Behavioral Interview: Expect interviews with UX team members (senior designers, potentially hiring manager) focusing on UX principles, design thinking, problem-solving abilities, and how you approach challenges. They will likely ask about your portfolio projects.

• Case Study/Design Challenge (Potential): Although not explicitly stated, some internships may include a small design exercise or case study to evaluate your practical skills and thought process.

• Final Interview/Meet-and-Greet: Possibly an interview with a broader team or hiring manager to assess cultural fit and overall suitability.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Process: Clearly articulate your design thinking, research methods, and iteration process for each project. Don't just show final screens; explain why you made certain decisions.

• Tell a Story: Structure each case study as a narrative – problem, your role, process, solution, and outcomes/learnings.

• Highlight Collaboration: If possible, demonstrate how you worked with others (peers, stakeholders) and how feedback influenced your design.

• Showcase Figma Skills: If Figma is a preferred tool, ensure your prototypes are functional and demonstrate advanced capabilities like interactive components or complex flows.

• Tailor to Cboe: If possible, subtly connect your projects or interests to financial markets or complex data visualization, showing you've researched the company.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the UX Lifecycle: Be ready to discuss each stage of the UX design process.

• Practice Problem-Solving: Think about how you would approach common UX problems, especially those related to complex interfaces or data.

• Prepare Your Story: Be able to walk through your portfolio projects confidently and answer in-depth questions about your contributions and decisions.

• Research Cboe: Understand Cboe's business, its role in the financial markets, and its existing products to frame your answers and ask informed questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, actionable advice for navigating the interview process, with a strong emphasis on portfolio preparation, which is paramount for UX roles, and tailoring preparation to Cboe's industry.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and collaborative design. Expertise is highly sought after.

• Design Systems: Experience or understanding of how to work with and contribute to design systems and design tokens.

Analytics & Reporting:

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this UX intern role, but awareness of how user feedback might be managed in CRM systems or how design impacts user onboarding automation could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools listed are directly derived from the "ideal candidate" and "you'll really stand out with" sections, with Figma and Design Systems highlighted as core requirements. Other operations-relevant tools are mentioned but noted as less central to this specific intern role.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation: The UX team is the "innovation backbone," so a drive for creative solutions and forward-thinking design is key.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on cross-departmental work and teamwork with designers, developers, and stakeholders.

• User-Centricity: Commitment to creating seamless, intuitive, and valuable user experiences.

• Reliability & Precision: Given the financial industry context, designs must be accurate, reliable, and support complex financial transactions.

• Continuous Learning: The internship program itself, with its educational components and company history, suggests a culture that values growth and development.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Interns will work closely with various departments, requiring strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Mentorship-Driven: The program is structured to provide support from senior designers, fostering a learning and growth-oriented collaboration.

• Feedback Exchange: Active participation in design critiques and teamwork implies an open environment for giving and receiving constructive feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values and collaboration style are inferred from the company's mission, the role's description, and the nature of a structured internship program within a large financial institution, emphasizing aspects relevant to a professional operations environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Design and Finance: Translating complex financial concepts and data into user-friendly interfaces for a diverse user base.

• Navigating a Large Organization: Understanding Cboe's structure, stakeholders, and processes to effectively integrate UX insights.

• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Ensuring designs meet both user needs and stringent financial industry regulations.

• Hybrid Work Dynamics: Effectively collaborating and staying connected with the team in a hybrid work environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Intern Program: Access to Options Institute courses and structured learning modules on exchange technology and operations.

• Mentorship: Direct guidance from experienced UX professionals in the field.

• Real-World Project Experience: Contributing to actual product development cycles and design system enhancements.

• Networking Events: Opportunities to connect with professionals across Cboe, expanding professional networks.

• Portfolio Building: Gaining tangible projects and case studies to showcase future career endeavors.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are framed around the unique aspects of UX in FinTech, while growth opportunities highlight the structured benefits of Cboe's internship program.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Design Process: "Walk me through a project in your portfolio from start to finish. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the outcome?"

• Collaboration: "Describe a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder or engineer. How did you navigate that relationship to achieve your design goals?"

• Problem-Solving: "Imagine Cboe wants to introduce a new feature for traders. How would you approach understanding user needs and designing a solution?"

• Tool Proficiency: "How proficient are you with Figma? Can you describe some advanced features you've used?"

• Design Systems: "What is your experience with design systems? What makes a good design system?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in UX design specifically within the financial services industry?"

• "What do you know about Cboe Global Markets and our role in the financial ecosystem?"

• "How do you approach receiving and giving constructive feedback?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Select 3-4 Strong Projects: Choose projects that best showcase your process, skills, and ability to solve problems.

• Focus on the "Why": For each project, clearly explain the problem you were solving, the user needs you addressed, and the rationale behind your design decisions.

• Demonstrate Your Process: Use visuals like user flows, wireframes, and research findings to illustrate your journey.

• Highlight Figma Prototypes: Be ready to demo interactive prototypes that showcase key functionalities.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): Even for student projects, discuss any potential impact or learnings that could be measured. For example, "Usability testing revealed X% improvement in task completion time."

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are tailored to UX roles, focusing on process, problem-solving, and portfolio demonstration, while also incorporating company-specific context related to finance and Cboe's operations.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Designer Intern position:

• Submit your application through the official Cboe Global Markets careers portal.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate your online portfolio (e.g., personal website, Behance, PDF) to prominently feature 2-3 strong UX projects. Ensure each project clearly outlines the problem, your role, your design process (research, ideation, wireframing, prototyping), and any outcomes or learnings. Tailor your project selection to highlight skills relevant to financial technology if possible.

• Resume Optimization: Update your resume to emphasize relevant coursework, academic achievements, any prior design experience, and proficiency with tools like Figma. Use keywords from the job description, such as "UX Design," "Figma," "prototyping," and "design systems."

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design process and portfolio projects. Research Cboe Global Markets, its mission, and its products to prepare for company-specific questions and to demonstrate your genuine interest in the financial industry. Be ready to discuss your motivation for pursuing a UX internship in this sector.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with Cboe's values, market position, and recent news. Understanding the company's context will enable you to ask more insightful questions and better align your responses with their culture and business objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.