Illinois Wesleyan University Career Toolkit

The Hart Career Center is the primary career resource at IWU and is distinctive for its genuinely personal approach. Career staff regularly attend student internship capstone events, make direct alumni introductions, and follow up with students throughout the recruiting process. Over 450 students completed internships during the 2024-25 school year.

• Book a 1:1 Career Advisor Appointment

  Schedule appointments with Hart Career Center advisors via Handshake. Appointment categories: Career Exploration (informational interviewing, job shadowing, networking, career readiness assessments, major selection/change); Internships (search, interview prep, academic credit); Job Search (strategy, applications, negotiation); Graduate School (school selection, personal statements, interviews); Resumes & Cover Letters (review, tailoring for specific roles). Visit Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm at the Welcome Center 2nd floor, or contact ccenter@iwu.edu / (309) 556-3071.

• Career Staff — Personalized, High-Touch Approach

  Warren Kistner (Director, IWU Class of 1983): career counseling, graduate school preparation, employer development, alumni services, strategic planning. Career counselor since 1991, IWU career services since 1995. Patrick Zajac (Associate Director for Career Engagement): internship coordination, post-graduate planning, career guidance, and direct student support including attending student capstone presentations. Ann Harding: career advising and practice interview coordination. Staff at IWU Career Center are described by students as providing ‘constant support with unprecedented follow-ups from staff who genuinely care about your progress.’

• Practice Interview Program

  Sign up for a practice interview with Ann Harding or another advisor to practice answering typical interview questions and receive candid feedback. Highly recommended before any significant internship or job interview. Access via Handshake appointment or call (309) 556-3071.

• GROWMARK Job Shadow Program — Annual (10th Year in 2025)

  The Hart Career Center’s 10th annual GROWMARK Job Shadow Program ran in 2025, bringing 23 students from 7 Illinois and Wisconsin colleges (including IWU) to Bloomington, IL for an interactive experience in agricultural and business-focused industry topics. Career Center has a longstanding GROWMARK partnership. [⚠️ Verified via Hart Career Center LinkedIn — direct program page not found; contact pzajac@iwu.edu for current year details]

• Sapere Aude — Investment Internship Program (First-Generation Students)

  IWU Board of Trustees Member Tom Lawrence ’80 connected the Hart Career Center with Sapere Aude, a program designed for first-generation students to gain exposure to competitive investment and finance careers. Participants receive industry training, contribute to research and peer feedback, and can earn the CFA Investment Foundations certificate. IWU student Valeria Rivera ’27 completed this program in 2025. Patrick Zajac actively helps connect eligible students with Sapere Aude. Contact pzajac@iwu.edu.

The Hart Career Center has multiple distinct internship support programs — from the state-funded Illinois Cooperative Work Study Grant (Bloomington-Normal area) to the IWU F1RST Fund (first-generation students) to direct alumni connections via the Career Center’s extensive employer network. Academic credit for internships requires a faculty supervisor and Learning Contract.

• Illinois Cooperative Work Study Grant — Bloomington-Normal Area

  IWU is part of the Illinois Cooperative Work Study Grant program through the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Provides funding support for internships at select organizations in the Bloomington-Normal area. Contact Patrick Zajac (pzajac@iwu.edu) for the list of qualifying internship sites. This funding reduces financial barriers for students seeking local internship experiences.

• IWU F1RST Fund — First-Generation Internship Support

  Alumni-funded program to financially support first-generation IWU students pursuing competitive internship and career experiences. Career Center staff actively identify eligible students and connect them with the fund. IWU student Valeria Rivera ’27 received F1RST Fund support for her 2025 Sapere Aude virtual internship, which included CFA Investment Foundations certification. Contact ccenter@iwu.edu or pzajac@iwu.edu to discuss eligibility.

• Academic Credit for Internships — Learning Contract

  IWU students can earn academic credit for internships with a faculty supervisor. Complete the required Learning Contract (linked from the Career Center internships page). For May Term or summer internship credit, note that May Term and summer tuition fees apply. For Global Diversity flag eligibility, additional forms are required. Each department determines credit eligibility on a case-by-case basis.

• AU Washington Semester Program — DC Internships

  IWU participates in the American University Washington Semester Program, allowing students to intern in Washington DC including on Capitol Hill. IWU student-athlete and senator’s intern Franchesca Smith completed an internship with Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL-D) through this program in 2025. [⚠️ Confirmed via Hart Career Center LinkedIn post — contact the Career Center for current program enrollment details and eligibility]

• Internship Report Form — Required After Completion

  After completing an internship, IWU students are asked to fill out the internship report form linked from the Career Center internships page. This helps the Career Center track outcomes, improve future support, and build the employer relationship for future students.

The Hart Career Center provides 1:1 resume and cover letter review for every stage of the job search. Practice interviews with Ann Harding and other advisors are available by appointment. Career readiness workshops run throughout the year on specific professional topics.

• Resume & Cover Letter Review — Appointment

  Book a resume and cover letter review appointment via Handshake. Bring both your current draft and the job/internship description you’re applying for — the advisor will tailor feedback to the specific role. Email the Career Center at ccenter@iwu.edu with questions before your appointment.

• Practice Interviews — Ann Harding

  Ann Harding coordinates the Career Center’s practice interview program. Book via Handshake or call (309) 556-3071. Multiple IWU students have credited practice interviews with Ann as a pivotal part of their recruiting preparation — one student (Chloe Shapkauski, McLean County Chamber of Commerce intern) specifically noted practice interviews helped them succeed. Come prepared with the role description and two or three stories that demonstrate your key experiences.

• Handshake Resource Library

  Career Center maintains a resource library in Handshake covering resume writing, cover letter writing, networking, LinkedIn optimization, interview preparation, and job search strategy. Access via Handshake → Resources. Available 24/7 to current students and alumni.

The Hart Career Center runs virtual career fairs via Handshake and coordinates on-campus interviews and employer visits. IWU’s Bloomington-Normal location connects students with local employers while the Career Center’s alumni network (Titan alumni) extends opportunities well beyond Central Illinois.

• Virtual Career Fairs — Handshake

  Hart Career Center hosts virtual career fairs and employer events via Handshake. Check Handshake Events at the start of each semester for upcoming fairs by industry. IWU also participates in cooperative career fairs with other Illinois colleges.

• Nursing Career Fair — Annual

  IWU hosts a dedicated Nursing Career Fair where nursing students meet representatives from hospitals, graduate schools, and healthcare organizations to discuss internships, full-time roles, and further education. One of IWU’s largest employer events. [⚠️ Verified via Hart Career Center LinkedIn — check Handshake for current year date and registration]

• On-Campus Interviews & Employer Visits

  Some employers conduct on-campus interviews at IWU coordinated through the Hart Career Center and Handshake. Check the ‘Interviews’ section in Handshake for scheduled on-campus interview sign-ups. On-campus recruiting is particularly active in accounting, education, healthcare, and financial services.

• McLean County Chamber of Commerce — Local Employer Partnerships

  IWU Career Center has active partnerships with Bloomington-Normal area employers including the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, where IWU students have completed paid internships. The local business community is a strong starting point for first and second year students seeking initial internship experience near campus.

Illinois Wesleyan has 100+ RSOs open to all IWU students. All organizations are managed by the Office of Student Involvement (Hansen 101). Contact getinvolved@iwu.edu or visit the 2025-26 RSO directory for the complete current list.

• RSO Directory — 2025-2026 Academic Year

  Full list of all RSOs registered for the 2025-2026 academic year at IWU. All RSOs are open to all IWU students. Includes academic clubs, cultural organizations, service clubs, Greek life, honor societies, pre-professional organizations, performing arts groups, athletic clubs, and special interest organizations. Browse the clickable directory on the Student Involvement page.

• Office of Student Involvement — Hansen 101

  IWU’s central office for student organizations. Helps students start new RSOs, re-register existing ones, develop leadership skills, and navigate the 25Live event planning system. Stop by Hansen 101 or email getinvolved@iwu.edu with questions about joining, starting, or managing a student organization.

• Pre-Professional & Academic Organizations

  IWU hosts pre-professional organizations spanning pre-law, pre-med/pre-health, business (Alpha Kappa Psi and Collegiate DECA are confirmed alumni clubs mentioned by Career Center staff), and field-specific academic clubs aligned to IWU’s 80+ majors, minors, and programs. Search the RSO directory for your field of interest.

• Performing Arts Organizations

  IWU’s School of Music and Theatre Arts program creates a strong performing arts RSO ecosystem. Student theater companies, music ensembles, dance groups, and arts advocacy organizations are all represented. Strong for students pursuing performing arts, arts administration, entertainment, and media careers.

• Cultural & Identity Organizations

  IWU hosts cultural and affinity organizations representing diverse ethnic, national, religious, and identity communities. Given IWU’s size (~1,700 students), these organizations tend to be close-knit and genuinely community-centered. Search the RSO directory for current active cultural organizations.

• Service & Community Organizations

  Service organizations including Habitat for Humanity, tutoring and mentoring clubs, healthcare volunteering groups, and civic engagement organizations. IWU’s Bloomington-Normal community engagement creates opportunities for direct community impact. Strong for students interested in public service, education, social work, and nonprofit careers.