Career Resources
Degree-seeking graduate and undergraduate students at SPS have access to many great resources that can help them leverage their degrees and achieve their career goals, including resources through Northwestern Career Advancement, InsideTrack, and more.
Northwestern Career Advancement
Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) is a comprehensive career services office on the Evanston campus that provides an extensive range of advising, programming, and resources to all Northwestern University degree-seeking undergraduate and graduate students. NCA offers their services to recent alumni up to six months after graduation.
Students who engage in the programs, activities and services provided by Northwestern Career Advancement will
- Determine personal interests, strengths, values, and skills that will inform intentional career decision-making. (Personal Development)
- Translate their Northwestern experiences (academic, co-curricular, and work-related) in ways that will distinguish them in the job search or academic application process. (Personal Development)
- Apply career skills (e.g., resume writing, networking) to gain opportunities (e.g., internships, jobs) during and following their Northwestern experience. (Cognitive and Practical Skills)
SPS degree-seeking students are all assigned a career adviser and a career counselor through NCA.
Meet your Career Adviser:
Jeff Jenkins, M.S., CRC, LCPC, Senior Assistant Director, Training Director
Jeff provides career counseling to students in the Bienen School of Music, School of Communication, School of Professional Studies, and Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences. He helps students make successful career decisions that fit their unique personality and professional goals. Some of these decisions might include choosing an academic major, assessing interests, values, strengths and skills, and exploring/discovering different career paths. In addition, Jeff can help with selecting and applying to graduate schools.
Meet your Career Counselor:
Traci Thomas, M.S., M.A., Director of Career Development
Tracie leads the NCA Career Counseling Team and provides career counseling to students in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Education and Social Policy, the McCormick School of Engineering, The Graduate School, and the School of Professional Studies. She helps students make successful career decisions that fit their unique personality and professional goals. Some of these decisions might include choosing an academic major, assessing interests, values, strengths, and skills, and exploring/discovering different career paths. In addition, Tracie can help with selecting and applying to graduate and law schools.
Make an appointment with Traci, Jeff, or Brett today via Handshake to discuss:
- Undecided on a Career Path
- Choosing an Academic Major
- Career Advising (finding jobs/internships, networking, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, offer negotiation)
- Mock Interview
- Graduate School Application Advising
- Pre-Law Advising
InsideTrack
SPS partners with InsideTrack to offer students a four-month career coaching experience with personalized, professional career coaching and career development content tailored to the needs of working adult students in their undergraduate and graduate degree programs. InsideTrack's professional career coaches work with SPS students on career exploration, planning and professional development to support their long-term success in the workplace.
Career Resources
The resources in the portfolio below have a wide variety of delivery options to provide flexibility needed to meet the realities of busy lives SPS students lead. Whether you are a career changer, seasoned professional, or entering the job market for the first time, you'll find a Career Development resource that's right for you. Click on the tabs below to see the resources recommended to help you in your career development.
Handshake is Northwestern Career Advancement's platform for career activities (events, information sessions, workshops) and job and internship opportunities. For more information on utilizing the Handshake platform, please visit the NCA's Tips for Using Handshake Effectively.
The NCA Career Guide (PDF) is your go-to resource for information on networking, exploring careers, the job/internship search, resume samples, cover letter writing, and more.
U.S. News & World Report is a publisher of news and information, including annual rankings of Best Colleges and Best Graduate Schools. To access U.S. News & World Report, login to Handshake. Navigate to Northwestern Career Center. From there, click on Resources>Northwestern Student Resources.
Firsthand is a leading source of career intelligence. Firsthand is a career engagement platform that empowers career seekers by providing powerful insights, unique resources, and impactful relationships so that you can discover your best next step.
The Northwestern Alumni Association offers the career resources and the network to support you, whether you're looking for an event, expert advice, or a valuable career connection.
Mergent Intellect is a flexible web-based application that offers access to business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, and industry profiles for private and public U.S and international companies.
Network Mentorship Program was designed by the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) to foster meaningful relationships between alumni mentors and alumni or student mentees that will help mentees better navigate their career path.
Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) is a one-day job shadowing program that helps current Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students learn more about a professional field of interest.
Our Northwestern is an online database of NU Alumni for informational interviewing and networking purposes. Search by industry, occupational area, graduation date, and more.
LinkedIn Job Search is the world's largest professional network, which can be used to build relationships and connect with opportunities. Use LinkedIn Job Search to uncover insights such as whom you know at a company, which can you insight and connections to gain an edge in your job search.
LinkedIn Salary allows professionals to look up aggregate data about the salaries of other users with the same job in the same location to see how their own pay measures up.
Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you find career information on duties, education, and training, pay, and outlook for hundreds of occupations.
Handshake is Northwestern Career Advancement's platform for career activities (events, information sessions, workshops) and job and internship opportunities. For more information on utilizing the Handshake platform, please visit the NCA's Tips for Using Handshake Effectively.
The NCA Career Guide (PDF) is your go-to resource for information on networking, exploring careers, the job/internship search, resume samples, cover letter writing, and more.
The Northwestern Alumni Association has the career resources and the network to support you, whether you're looking for an event, expert advice, or a valuable career connection.
Network Mentorship Program was designed by the Northwestern Alumni Association (NAA) to foster meaningful relationships between alumni mentors and alumni or student mentees that will help mentees better navigate their career path.
Northwestern Externship Program (NEXT) is a one-day job shadowing program that helps current Northwestern undergraduate and graduate students learn more about a professional field of interest.
Our Northwestern is an online database of NU Alumni for informational interviewing and networking purposes. Search by industry, occupational area, graduation date, and more.
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network, which can be used to build relationships and connect with opportunities. Use LinkedIn Job Search to uncover insights such as whom you know at a company, which can you insight and connections to gain an edge in your job search.
Udacity and Google have teamed up to offer 12 free career courses for recent graduates, mid-career professionals, and those re-entering the workforce.
The NCA Career Guide (PDF) is your go-to resource for information on networking, exploring careers, the job/internship search, resume samples, cover letter writing, and more.
The International Student Career Planning Guide (PDF) provides tips and advice on how to navigate the U.S. job internship search process and helpful Northwestern resources. This guide is a joint collaboration between Northwestern Career Advancement, Engineering Career Development, Medill Career Services, School of Communication – EPICS, Chicago Field Studies, and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS).
CaseCoach is the leading online case interview prep platform, created by former McKinsey interviewers and headhunters. CaseCoach provides everything you need to prepare for case study interviews used by top consulting firms and other employers.
Firsthand is a leading source of career intelligence. Firsthand is a career engagement platform that empowers career seekers by providing powerful insights, unique resources, and impactful relationships so that you can discover your best next step.
Enhance Your Careerr - Northwestern Alumni Association has the career resources and the network to support you, whether you're looking for an event, expert advice, or a valuable career connection.
Mergent Intellect is a flexible web-based application that offers access to business data, industry news, facts and figures, executive contact information, and industry profiles for private and public U.S and international companies.
Glassdoor is an online career website where students can look up company reviews, salary information, job postings, and interview questions and questions.
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional network, which can be used to build relationships and connect with opportunities. Use LinkedIn Job Search to uncover insights such as whom you know at a company, which can you insight and connections to gain an edge in your job search.
Udacity and Google have teamed up to offer 12 free career courses for recent graduates, mid-career professionals, and those re-entering the workforce.
The NCA Career Guide (PDF) is your go-to resource for information on networking, exploring careers, the job/internship search, resume samples, cover letter writing, and more.
The International Student Career Planning Guide (PDF) provides tips and advice on how to navigate the U.S. job internship search process and helpful Northwestern resources. This guide is a joint collaboration between Northwestern Career Advancement, Engineering Career Development, Medill Career Services, School of Communication – EPICS, Chicago Field Studies, and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS).
VMock is an online resume preparation platform. VMock allows students to upload a resume and receive a critique of both the format and the content of the resume.
Udacity and Google have teamed up to offer 12 free career courses for recent graduates, mid-career professionals, and those re-entering the workforce.
The Resume Fundamentals Webinar, available on your Canvas program page, will provide valuable introductory information and strategy to develop an effective resume, teach fundamental elements of resumes, provide insight into what catches the attention of an employer, and teach you to apply knowledge learned toward writing and revising your resume.
The Advanced Resume Writing Strategies Webinar available on your Canvas program page, will assist your with identifying key strategies to make your resume application-ready, teach you how to leverage past work experience, assist you in making your degree program work to your advantage, as well as demonstrate how to design an accomplishment-focused resume.
Handshake is Northwestern Career Advancement's platform for career activities (events, information sessions, workshops) and job and internship opportunities. For more information on utilizing the Handshake platform, please visit the NCA's Tips for Using Handshake Effectively.
The NCA Career Guide (PDF) is your go-to resource for information on networking, exploring careers, the job/internship search, resume samples, cover letter writing, and more.
The International Student Career Planning Guide (PDF) provides tips and advice on how to navigate the U.S. job internship search process and helpful Northwestern resources. This guide is a joint collaboration between Northwestern Career Advancement, Engineering Career Development, Medill Career Services, School of Communication – EPICS, Chicago Field Studies, and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS).
Daybook is the leading job search resource for political, policy, nonprofit and remote jobs. To access Daybook, login to Handshake. Navigate to Northwestern Career Center. From there, click on Resources>Northwestern Student Resources.
Glassdoor is an online career website where students can look up company reviews, salary information, job postings, and interview questions and questions.
Idealist is the world's best place to find volunteer opportunities, nonprofit jobs, internships, and organizations working to change the world since 1995.
LinkedIn Job Search is the world's largest professional network, which can be used to build relationships and connect with opportunities. Use LinkedIn Job Search to uncover insights such as whom you know at a company, which can you insight and connections to gain an edge in your job search.
InitialView allows students to apply to jobs in China.
GoinGlobal helps new and experienced job seekers find opportunities both at home and abroad.
Fellowship Finder is a tool to browse fellowships that are commonly awarded to Northwestern students.
The International Student Career Planning Guide (PDF) provides tips and advice on how to navigate the U.S. job internship search process and helpful Northwestern resources. This guide is a joint collaboration between Northwestern Career Advancement, Engineering Career Development, Medill Career Services, School of Communication – EPICS, Chicago Field Studies, and the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS).
InitialView allows students to apply to jobs in China.
GoinGlobal helps new and experienced job seekers find opportunities both at home and abroad.