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Center for Career and Professional Development

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Welcome!

The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) assists students of all majors with identifying interests and career goals and creating meaningful opportunities to help you succeed in your academic, personal, and professional goals. The CCPD is dedicated to supporting and empowering students in their exploration, preparation, and pursuit of their chosen career journey.

Connect with Employers on Handshake

Handshake is our online platform to help you find a meaningful career. Everything you need to connect with Center for Career and Professional Development is on Handshake! Schedule appointments, download career resources, view upcoming events and more! Visit Handshake to update your profile and see who is looking for NCC interns and employees. 

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student interns at EY

How the center for career and professional development supports students

Individual One-on-One Appointments

Students can meet with the CCPD team about many career-related topics. Some of the most popular topics students seek support on are:

  • Explore who you are, your goals, and what matters to you
  • Develop tailored career plans
  • Create personalized internship and job search plans
  • Receive internship approval and support while on internship
  • Expand networking skills & Connect with employers
  • Review job search materials - resumes, cover letters, applications
  • Engage with mock interviews to gain confidence
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Drop-In Center

Meet with a Career Peer Advisor

The CCPD Drop-In Center is open from 10am - 1pm, Monday through Friday. Students may access the Drop-In Center in Oesterle Library #114. North Central College Career Peer Advisors support students by answering questions and providing guidance on the following topics:

  • Resume and cover letter reviews
  • Introductions to the CCPD career resources and events
  • 15 minute career conversations about career exploration
  • Guidance on internship and/or job search strategy
  • Handshake and LinkedIn support
  • Preparation for career events by practicing your elevator pitch and researching employers
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Career Events & Fairs

  • All Majors Job & Internship Fair (September)
  • Fall Interview Day (October)
  • CareerFest (February)
students at career fest
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resources

Cardinal Career Closet

Whether you have an upcoming interview or you're starting a new internship or job, we've got the perfect outfit for you! Coming soon, the Cardinal Career Closet will be open for students to utilize a variety of new and gently worn business professional and business casual clothing. Stay tuned for more details!

Build Your Resume

Download our resume sample on Handshake to guide you to develop a professional resume! Connect with our Career Peer Advisors or professional staff in individual appointments to support you as you develop and improve your resume.

 

 

students doing homework

College Career Consortium of Illinois

North Central College is a member of the College Career Consortium of Illinois (CCCI), a dynamic and respected consortium of 18 colleges and universities representing 56,000+ enrolled students. North Central students have access to the online career resources, campus interviews with member employers, Fall Interview Day, and the Spring CareerFest.

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Illinois Consortium Resources

North Central College is also a member Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI), a robust network of 24 private, nonprofit, and primarily residential colleges and universities. These institutions sustain an enduring commitment to mission-driven, liberal arts-based higher education in small, supportive environments that cultivate a sense of community. Students can explore job and internship postings online and attend an Annual Job and Internship Expo.

Student intern at EY

Alumni Career Support

We want you to receive the right coaching for where you're at in your career. There are different support options depending on your graduation date.

Alumni who graduated from North Central College less than two years ago have access to a variety of career support and resources, including access to:

  • Handshake - North Central's primary career engagement platform for students and alumni to seek internships and full-time roles for entry-level talent.
  • Career events, programs, and workshops, including the annual North Central College Job & Internship Fair.
  • Drop-In Center support (located in Oesterle Library #114).
  • One-on-one appointments with professional staff, both in-person and virtual via Teams.

Alumni who graduated from North Central College more than two years ago will be directed to receive support from the Career and Networking Center, an expert group of
business professionals who aid job seekers, career changers and those seeking career advancement. All North Central College alumni will receive a 25% discount on the annual membership by following the steps below:

  1. Navigate to the Career and Networking Center homepage.
  2. Select "Become a Member."
  3. Select the $100 membership option as your choice.
  4. Scroll down to the coupon code open box and include the code NCCGRAD to allow you to receive the $100 annual membership for the discounted rate of $75 annually.

Student Employment On Campus

Campus employment provides great opportunities for students to advance their career readiness skills.  Students looking for employment opportunities on campus can search for open positions through our Human Resource department.

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Questions?

Connect with Center for Career and Professional Development

Our staff is happy to help and answer any questions you may have. Simply contact us for more information.

career development center