University Toolkit

Your University has terrific career resources, but they can be challenging to locate.
Your Personalized University Toolkit delivers the roadmap to your school-specific resources .

Career Center Overview

Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) is the central hub for career support. It provides individualized advising, workshops, networking programs, and employer connections. Students use Handshake to book appointments, register for events, and apply for jobs and internships.

Personalized Advising & Support

Students can book one-on-one appointments with NCA career advisers to explore careers, prepare applications, or plan graduate study. NCA offers drop-ins and specialized advising for international students, pre-professional pathways, and identity-based career support.

Career Exploration & Experiential Programs

NCA offers structured programs to help students explore careers through hands-on experiences, alumni connections, and self-assessments.

  • Career Treks – Employer and alumni site visits across industries.
    Career Treks
  • Externship Program – Short-term job shadowing experiences with alumni.
    Externships
  • StrengthsQuest Assessment – Self-discovery tool to align strengths with careers.
    StrengthsQuest
  • Student Organizations – 500+ clubs, including professional associations.
    NU Student Organizations
Resumes, CVs & Cover Letters

NCA provides guides, samples, and workshops for resumes, CVs, and cover letters. Students can upload materials for review and receive personalized feedback.

  • Resume & Cover Letter Guides – Templates and tips.
    Guides
  • Application Document Review – Submit resumes, CVs, and cover letters for adviser feedback.
    Submit on Handshake
  • Graduate CV Support – Specialized help for academic CVs.
    Graduate CV Resources
Interview Preparation

Students can practice interviews through mock sessions, online tools, and workshops. NCA emphasizes both behavioral and technical interview skills.

  • Mock Interviews – Schedule one-on-one practice with an adviser.
    Mock Interviews
  • Big Interview – 24/7 online interview prep tool.
    Big Interview
  • Interview Workshops – Regular programs on interviewing skills.
    Events
Networking & Alumni Connections

Northwestern students access one of the largest alumni networks in the world, with formal platforms and programs that connect them to graduates across industries.

NCA partners with employers across industries and provides curated job and internship postings. Students use Handshake as the main search tool.

Sample Emails & Etiquette

Northwestern Career Advancement offers resources on professional etiquette, email templates, and networking outreach examples.

  • Thank-you note templates – Guides for writing post-interview and networking thank-you notes.
    Thank-you Notes
  • Email outreach examples – Informational interview requests and networking outreach.
    Networking Emails
  • Professional etiquette – Tips on professionalism in communications.
    Etiquette Guide
Contact Northwestern Career Advancement

NCA is located at 620 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–5 PM, and offers services year-round for students and alumni.

Career Advancement Overview

The University of Chicago’s Career Advancement Office provides a wide range of advising services, experiential programs and toolkits to prepare students and recent alumni for career success. Students book one-on-one advising through UChicago Handshake and can access drop‑in sessions, career cohorts, industry‑specific programs and networking events. The office also maintains virtual resources like resume templates, interview toolkits and networking guides.

Personalized Advising & Support

You can schedule an appointment with a career advisor at Career Advancement to discuss career paths and school resources through the Handshake platform. A best practice is to include details in the notes section on what you want to discuss with the adviser.

Career exploration & Experiential Programs

UChicago has a variety of content, events, and organizations to support you in exploring career paths. Career Advancement provides assessment tools include career roadmaps and worksheets you can develop with a career adviser. Experiences include city specific employer visits called “treks”, career fairs, job shadowing, and student competitions. UChicago has dozens of student clubs focused on professions, providing exposure to industries and vocations, experiential training and peer advice.

  • Career Exploration appointments & self-assessments – Students can meet with advisers and use worksheets (Academic Favorites, Value Chart, Skills Inventory, Energy Engagement Map) to clarify interests.
    Career Exploration Resources
  • Career Exploration Week (CEW) – Four-day program for incoming first-year students held in early September. Participants visit employers, connect with alumni and choose a track (business, finance, cinematic arts & journalism, legal professions, policy & data, global health, healthcare, quantum, etc.). The 2025 program cost ≈$1,000. The Trott Emerging Business Leaders (TEBL) cohort has a private Business CEW and more opportunities (first-years only)
    TEBL (Business)
  • Treks – Two-day career exploration trips where groups of 15-25 students visit employers across the U.S. and abroad. Treks help students clarify goals, build networks and learn about career paths; previous attendees reported increased confidence and clear next steps.
    Career Treks (General Info)
    Apply to Treks
    Trek destinations
  • Job Shadowing Program – 1 to 5-day unpaid experiences where students observe/shadow alumni/professionals at work. Placements depend on industry and location preference; students coordinate logistics and cover their own costs. Hosts include Amazon, Apple and other organizations.
    Program Overview
    Application Form
  • Micro-Metcalf Program – Short-term paid micro-internships (20-40 hours over 2-4 weeks) where students work on specific projects, usually remote. Open to all undergraduates, including CPT-eligible international students; micro-internships help build skills and networks.
    Micro-Metcalf Program
    Apply
  • Metcalf Clinics – Project-based co-op experiences in which teams of undergraduates tackle research and analysis projects for employer partners. Projects span clean energy, biotech, quantum computing, finance and more. Applications open each quarter with deadlines for fall, winter and spring; students work remotely, access coaches and present results.
    Metcalf Clinics Overview
  • UChicago Private Markets Program – One-week immersive program in September combining academic lectures and networking in private equity. Participants build financial models and discuss case studies with professionals and alumni; pre-program training covers accounting and valuation.
    Private Markets Program
  • Other experiential programs – Jeff Metcalf Internship Program (full-term internships), On-Campus Employment, International Immersion Programs, competitions (Stock Pitch, APAC Healthcare Investment Competition), etc.
    Metcalf Internship Program
    UChicago Career Competitions
  • Student clubs & RSOs – Blue Chips investment club (manages a $200 k value-focused portfolio; membership via application/interview; open to 1st-/2nd-years). Eckhart Consulting provides strategy consulting experience; students work with big clients across areas such as product innovation and data analysis.
    Student Orgs. & Activities
    RSO’s
  • Major-specific & multi-year programs – 4+1 Scholars Program allows students to earn a UChicago master’s degree one year after completing their bachelor’s degree. Benefits include a streamlined admissions process, automatic $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 internship stipend for 2nd/3rd-year admits. Dedicated advisers help students choose programs and prepare their applications.
    UChicago 4+1 Masters Program
    Specialized Career Cohorts
Resume & Application Resources

Resume & Interview Toolkit – Virtual library offering: “Writing Resumes: A Guide for Undergraduates”; résumé templates and videos; “Curriculum Vitae: A Guide for Undergraduates”; and “Online Applicant Tracking System Tips & Tricks.” Cover-letter resources include a guide, template and video.

  • Resume & Interview Toolkit – Virtual library offering: “Writing Resumes: A Guide for Undergraduates”; Resume templates and videos; “Curriculum Vitae: A Guide for Undergraduates”; and “Online Applicant Tracking System Tips & Tricks.” Cover-letter resources include a guide, template and video.
    Resume / Cover Letter Toolkit
    Resume Template
  • Personal statements & grad‑school essays – Guidance is provided in the toolkit, but Career Advancement does not edit personal statements for graduate or professional school (students are referred to appropriate campus offices).
    Personal Statement Tips
    Law School Samples
Interview Preparation Resources

UChicago’s Career Advancement office provides several resources for students to develop their interview skills. The resources include training guides, interview practice platforms, and live interview practice.

UChicago Network

Strategies and tactics using networking and LinkedIn provide substantial benefits in your career exploration. In addition to standalone guides, career advisers in Career Advancement can provide you with best practices for Networking and LinkedIn.

  • LinkedIn headshot opportunities – During Careers in the Humanities Week, Career Advancement offers “Snapshots for Success” sessions where students can obtain a professional LinkedIn profile picture.
    Snapshots for Success
  • Networking 101 guidance – The Networking 101 guide explains the basics of networking and highlights tools such as the UChicago Alumni Directory and LinkedIn for building connections.
    Networking 101
    Networking & Sample emails/ questions
  • UChicago Alumni Directory – Students can search the alumni database to find graduates working in their field and request informational interviews. The directory is highlighted on the International Student Career Resource Center and Careers-in-Law pages as a key networking tool.
    UChicago alumni page
    Alumni Directory
  • Networking 101 guide & webinars – Career Advancement’s Networking 101 page offers a downloadable guide and videos on effective networking. It stresses that networking is essential and encourages students to reach out to peers, faculty and alumni.
    Networking 101 – guide
    Power of UChicago Network
  • Job shadowing & treks – Both programs provide structured opportunities to network with alumni and professionals in various industries.
    Job Shadowing
    Career Treks (General Info)
  • Muse – No-code mini-site builder that allows students to create a personal minisite, link it to their résumé and LinkedIn profile and share it with alumni and potential employers. The tool helps students showcase skills and interests.
    More about Muse (Portfolio)
    Muse tour (Video)

UChicago’s Career Advancement connects students with hundreds of internship and job applications through the Handshake platform. The department provides guides for general search strategies and specific industries. Career advisors are a great resource for search tactics as well.

  • UChicago Handshake – Primary career platform for students and alumni (up to five years out). Users search for jobs/internships, including Jeff Metcalf positions, by logging in and filtering for the “Metcalf” label under “Jobs → All Filters”. Students can also sign up for weekly Metcalf newsletters and book advising appointments via Handshake.
    UChicago Handshake
    Handshake ( Step-by-step)
    Handshake – Log In
  • External job boards – Career Advancement lists external job sites (Career Builder, Indeed, LinkedIn Jobs, Monster, etc.) for additional search options. The office notes these resources are for informational purposes only and not endorsed by UChicago.
    External Job Boards
  • Industry newsletters & guides – Students can sign up for industry-specific newsletters and review Industry Guides for fields such as Arts & Humanities, Business, Computer Science and Policy. Career Pathways and Starting Salaries provides typical roles and salary ranges by industry.
    Industry Guides
    Career Pathways
  • International student resources – Advice on résumé/cover-letter formats, CPT/OPT and internship search strategies is provided in the International Student Career Resource Center.
    Resources for International Students
    Work Authorization Information
  • Recruiting Ready & Early Recruiting Success – Programs and guides that teach students about recruiting timelines, search strategies and networking. Sessions include Finance Recruiting Roadmap, Recruiting Bootcamp and employer networking events. The Early Recruiting Success Guide encourages students to start their job search in August and apply early.
    Recruiting Ready Programs
    Early recruiting Success Guide
Sample Emails & Etiquette

Communication best practices are essential in both networking and the interview process. In addition to the template.

  • Thank-you note template – A Career Advancement blog post provides a simple email template: “Hi [name], Thank you for meeting with me … I really enjoyed learning about [team/opportunity] … I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope [personal comment] … Sincerely, [name]”. The post stresses promptness—send the note immediately after the interview.
    Thank you note templates
  • Cover-letter & personal statement templates – Provided in the Resume & Interview Toolkit. Information & links above.
  • Other sample outreach – Careers-in-Law page suggests using LinkedIn and the alumni directory for informational interviews and encourages students to speak with advisers if they need help crafting outreach messages.
    Career in Law?
Contacting Career Advancement Office
  • Handshake appointments – Go to Handshake, click Career Center → Appointments, and choose Schedule New Appointment. Select an appointment category (e.g., general advising, 4+1 Scholars program, industry-specific adviser), choose a time and indicate whether the meeting will be in person, by phone or virtual.
    Handshake Appointements
  • Walk-in hours – Join virtual drop-in advising sessions (times vary by quarter). Sessions were Tuesdays & Wednesdays 1-2:30 p.m. and Fridays 9-11 a.m..
    Walk-in Advising
  • Email & office location – Career Advancement is located in Ida Noyes Hall, 1212 E 59th St. The general phone number is 773-702-7040. Specific program contact emails (e.g., [email protected] for 4+1) are provided on respective webpages.
    More / Q&A

University of Illinois Chicago

Personalized Advising & Support
  • Personalized Advising – 1-on-1 career advising appointments through Handshake; 30-50 minute sessions covering job search strategy, résumés and interview prep. Advising available for life.
    Career Advising
  • Drop-in & exploratory support – Quick 10–15 minute online advising sessions for academic and career questions.
    Drop-in Advising
  • StandOut mock interview platform – Online practice interviews with AI and advisor feedback.
    StandOut
  • Handouts & guides – Résumé tips, elevator pitch, informational interviewing guides, and career planning handouts.
    Resources by Major
Career Exploration & Experiential Programs
  • Career exploration framework – Step-by-step guide to connect your skills and passions to possible paths.
    Career Exploration
  • Career & Major Exploration Courses – LAS 120 and LAS 200 courses focus on major exploration and career readiness.
    LAS 200
  • Career fairs & employer events – UIC career fairs connect students with hundreds of employers.
    Career Fairs
  • College-specific programs – Career treks, alumni panels, and employer visits organized by specific colleges.
    Engineering Career Center
Resume, CV & Cover Letter Resources
Interview Resources
  • Practice Interview & Prep – Interview guides, attire tips, and prep materials.
    Interview Prep
  • Interview Rooms & mock interviews – Reserve spaces for private interviews.
    Interview Rooms
  • StandOut online practice – 24/7 practice interview platform.
    StandOut
Networking & LinkedIn Resources
  • LinkedIn Guide – Build your profile and connect with alumni.
    LinkedIn Guide
  • Professional Headshots – Free headshots and access to Sparky’s Closet for attire.
    Sparky’s Closet
  • LinkedIn Learning – Free online courses on business, tech, and creative skills.
    LinkedIn Learning
Networking with Alumni & Industry Leaders
  • UIC Connected & LinkedIn groups – Find alumni mentors and join UIC alumni groups.
    UIC Alumni LinkedIn
  • Mentoring & Alumni Outreach – Scripts and guides for professional networking.
    Networking Resources
  • Internship Guidance – Advising, funding options, and timeline planning.
    Internships
  • Handshake – Primary portal for jobs and internships.
    Handshake
  • International Student Resources – Advising through OIS and UIC Global.
    OIS
  • Job Search Strategies – Resources for recruitment readiness and on-campus events.
    Job Search
Sample Emails & Etiquette
Contacting Career Services
Overview

Loyola University Chicago Career Services provides a wide range of advising services, experiential programs and toolkits to prepare students and recent alumni for career success. Students book one-on-one advising through Handshake and can access drop-in sessions, career cohorts, industry-specific programs and networking events. The office also maintains virtual resources like resume templates, interview toolkits and networking guides.

Personalized advising & support

You can schedule an appointment with a career advisor at Loyola University Chicago Career Services to discuss career paths and school resources through the Handshake platform. A best practice is to include details in the notes section on what you want to discuss with the adviser.

  • Advising appointments – Undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni up to five years post-grad can schedule personalized advising sessions through Handshake.
    Advising Appointments
  • Walk-in advising – Career Peers host Pop-Up Advising sessions on both Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses for quick questions.
    Handshake Events Calendar
  • Specialized support centers – Tailored advising for pre-professional tracks.
    Pre-Health Advising | Pre-Law Advising
  • International student advising – Visa-related employment issues are managed through International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS).
    International Student and Scholar Services
Career exploration & Experiential Programs

Loyola University Chicago has a variety of content, events, and organizations to support you in exploring career paths. Loyola University Chicago Career Services provides assessment tools including PathwayU and “What can I do with this major?”. Experiences include career communities, career treks, job shadowing, and campus employment.

  • Self-Assessment and Exploration Tools – Includes PathwayU and “What Can I Do With This Major?”.
    PathwayU | What Can I Do With This Major?
  • Career Communities – Connects students with peers, alumni, events, and curated job/internship postings in specific sectors.
    Career Communities
  • Career Treks – Employer site visits to organizations like Google, Facebook, and the Field Museum.
    Handshake
  • Job Shadowing Program – Structured one-day job-shadowing experiences.
    Job Shadow Guide
  • Student clubs – Numerous student organizations focused on career preparation and industry-specific engagement.
    Student Clubs
Resume, CV & Cover Letter Resources

Loyola University Chicago Career Services offers a comprehensive set of tools and advising for job application resources including resumes, cover letters, and the academic CV.

Interview Resources

Loyola University Chicago Career Services provides several resources for students to develop their interview skills. The resources include training guides, interview practice platforms, and live interview practice.

  • Practice Interviews – Students and alumni can schedule mock interviews with their career advisor.
    Mock Interview Info
  • Big Interview – Practice by industry, competency, or general questions using an online interviewing platform.
    Log In – Big Interview
  • Interview guides & videos – Written guides for interviewing, informational interviews, and job search prep.
    Interview Guides
Networking, LinkedIn & Alumni Resources

Strategies and tactics using networking and LinkedIn provide substantial benefits in your career exploration. In addition to standalone guides, career advisers in Loyola University Chicago Career Services can provide you with best practices for Networking and LinkedIn.

  • Networking and Career Branding Guide – Covers best practices for networking, introductions, and building your personal brand.
    Networking & Career Branding Guide
  • Alumni – LoyolaLinked – Loyola’s mentorship and networking platform, exclusively for the Rambler community.
    LoyolaLinked
  • Muse – No-code mini-site builder to create a personal minisite to showcase skills and interests.
    More about Muse

Loyola University Chicago Career Services connects students with internship and job applications through the Handshake platform. The department provides guides for general search strategies and specific industries.

  • Handshake – Primary career platform for students and alumni for on-campus recruiting, employer info sessions, and job boards.
    Handshake – Log In
  • External job boards – List of external job-search platforms for students with specific skills.
    External Job Boards
  • Industry newsletters & guides – “The Kettle,” a student newsletter that highlights career development resources and opportunities.
    Industry Guides
Sample Emails & Etiquette

Communication best practices are essential in both networking and the interview process. Career Services provides guides to assist with professional correspondence.

  • Correspondence guide – A helpful guide with explanations and examples of professional communication in the search process.
    Correspondence Guide
Contacting Loyola University Chicago Career Services

The Career Services office has locations on both the Lake Shore and Water Tower campuses and is open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • General email – [email protected]
  • Phone – 773.508.7716
  • Lake Shore Campus – Sullivan Center, Suite 255
  • Water Tower Campus – Schreiber Center, Suite 115
    More Info

Illinois Wesleyan University

Career Center Overview

Illinois Wesleyan’s Hart Career Center provides a range of advising services, experiential programs and toolkits to prepare students and recent alumni for career success. Students book one-on-one advising through Handshake and can access drop-in sessions, industry-specific programs and networking events. The office also maintains virtual resources like resume templates, interview toolkits and networking guides.

Personalized advising & support

You can schedule an appointment with a career advisor at the Hart Career Center to discuss career paths and school resources through the Handshake platform. Include details in the notes section about what you want to discuss with the adviser.

Career Exploration & Experiential Programs

Illinois Wesleyan offers resources and experiences such as career fairs, assessment tools, job shadowing, mentorship programs, and 50+ student clubs to help students explore career paths and gain real-world exposure.

Resume, CV & Cover Letter Resources

The Hart Career Center provides guides and advising for resumes, cover letters, and CVs. Students can access downloadable guides and book review appointments through Handshake.

  • Resume Guide – 5-page resume guide with tips, action verbs, and samples.
    Resume Guide
  • Cover Letter Guide – 2-page cover letter guide with best practices and examples.
    Cover Letter Guide
Interview Preparation Resources

The Hart Career Center offers practice interviews, online platforms, and guides to help students strengthen interview skills.

  • Practice Interview Program – Mock interviews hosted by alumni and employers, Fridays at the Hart Career Center.
    Practice Interview Program
  • Big Interview platform – 24/7 web-based tool to practice and record interview answers.
    Big Interview
  • Interview guides & videos – Behavioral and technical interview resources.
    Common Interview Questions
Networking & LinkedIn Resources

Hart Career Center provides LinkedIn and networking resources, including headshots and alumni search guidance.

  • LinkedIn Learning – Career services and online courses for LinkedIn best practices.
    LinkedIn Learning
  • Professional Headshots – Schedule a session with the Hart Center at (309) 556-3071 or [email protected].
  • Networking with alumni – Use LinkedIn’s filters to find IWU alumni by school and employer.

The Hart Career Center connects students to internships and job postings via Handshake, external boards, and international resources.

  • Internship basics – Resources include FAQs, academic credit, and micro-internships via Parker Dewey.
    Internship Page
  • Handshake – Primary platform for jobs and internships.
    Handshake
  • External job boards – Industry-specific and remote work boards listed.
    Industry Job Boards
  • International student resources – CPT/OPT advising through the International Office.
    International Office
Sample Emails & Etiquette

Communication best practices are essential in both networking and the interview process.

  • Thank-you note template – Simple structure you can adapt after interviews or networking; send promptly after the conversation.
    Thank-you note templates
  • Cover-letter & personal statement templates – Use the cover-letter guide for structure and tone when drafting outreach or statements.
    Cover Letter Guide
  • Other sample outreach – Tips for informational interview outreach and using LinkedIn effectively.
    Informational interview tips
Contacting the Hart Career Center

The Hart Career Center is open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–4:30 PM, and provides year-round support to students and alumni.

Personalized Advising & Support
  • Advising appointments – Book via Handshake for general career advising, industry-specific guidance, and more.
    Advising Appointments
  • Walk-in advising – Resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile reviews at Loop and Lincoln Park campuses.
    Walk-In Advising
  • Specialized advising centers – Choose categories like Media, Technology, Health, Education, or Business.
    Specialized Advising
  • International student advising – CLD 220 course on U.S. job search strategies and OPT/H-1B processes.
    CLD 220
  • Pre-Health Advising – Career and academic support for pre-health students via the College of Science and Health.
    Pre-Health Advising
Career Exploration & Experiential Programs
  • Self Assessment Tools – Major-to-career guides, values inventory, and career library resources.
    Self Assessment
  • Future Forward Program – Year-long career exploration program for first-year students with scholarship opportunities.
    Future Forward
  • Early Career Experiences – Volunteering, job shadowing, micro-internships, and LinkedIn Learning courses.
    Early Career Experiences
  • Job Shadowing Program – Structured shadowing opportunities during winter intersession.
    Job Shadowing
  • On Campus Employment – Search student jobs via the campus job board.
    Campus Jobs
  • Career Fairs – General and industry-specific fairs available via Handshake.
    Career Fairs
  • Student Clubs – Over 300 organizations listed on DeHUB for professional development.
    Student Orgs
  • CLD Career Courses – 2-credit career and life education courses (CLD 200, 205, 210, 215, 216).
    CLD Classes
  • Career Experiences 101 – Guide to connecting academics to real-world experience.
    Career Experiences
Resume, CV & Cover Letter Resources
  • Resume & Cover Letter Guides – Templates and guides to support polished applications.
    Resume Resources
  • Graduate School & Personal Statements – Guidance on essays, timelines, and personal statements.
    Graduate School Guide
Interview Resources
  • Interview Guides & Videos – Downloadable prep materials for in-person and virtual interviews.
    Interview Prep
  • Big Interview – Online practice platform for industry, competency, and admissions interviews.
    Big Interview
  • Practice Interviews – Mock interview guide and peer practice support.
    Mock Interview Guide
Networking, LinkedIn & Alumni Resources
  • LinkedIn Resources & Headshots – Tips and access to professional headshot services.
    LinkedIn Resources
  • Networking Guidance – Guide to building and expanding your professional network.
    Networking Guide
  • Alumni Directory (ASK) – Mentoring platform to connect with alumni.
    ASK Platform
Alumni Engagement
  • ASK Mentoring – Alumni Sharing Knowledge platform.
    ASK
  • Handshake – Central platform for job and internship listings.
    Handshake
  • External Job Boards – LinkedIn, Indeed, and industry-specific platforms.
    Job Boards
  • Career Community Newsletters – Monthly newsletters with curated jobs, events, and tips.
    Career Communities
  • International Student Resources – GoinGlobal platform for global job searches and visa guidance.
    GoinGlobal
Sample Emails & Etiquette
  • Career Library Communication Guides – Includes email templates, networking and branding resources, and correspondence tips.
    Career Library
Contacting the Career Center