student helping with taxes

Center for Career and Professional Development

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.

Employers looking to recruit North Central talent: https://www.northcentralcollege.edu/hire-our-students


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. 

handshake logo


How the center for career and professional development supports students

Individual One-on-One Appointments

Students can meet with the CCPD team to discuss a variety of topics. Some of the most popular topics students seek support on are:

  • Career Exploration: Explore who you are, your goals, and what matters to you
  • Internship & Job Search: Create personalized internship and job search plans
  • Internship Approvals: Receive internship approval and support while on internship
  • Networking: Expand networking skills & connections with employers
  • Internship & Job Application: Review job search materials - resumes, cover letters, applications
  • Interview Preparation: Engage with mock interviews to gain confidence
professor and student talking

Drop-In Center

Meet with a Career Peer Advisor

Students may access the Drop-In Center in Oesterle Library #114. The CCPD Drop-In Center is open from 12 - 4pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the academic year. 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
student and professor in computer lab

Career Events & Fairs

  • North Central College Job & Internship Fair (September)
  • CareerFest (February)
  • Just in Time Job & Internship Fair (April)
students at career fest

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! The Cardinal Career Closet is open to all North Central students. The Cardinal Career Closet Mission is to increase access to quality professional attire to students for career-related experiences, interviews, and professional networking events.

Build Your Resume, Cover Letter, and Other Career Documents

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, craft a winning cover letter, or create other career-related documents.

 

students doing homework

All College Career Readiness Requirement

At North Central, we want students to find a postgraduate path—a job, graduate school, service—that is meaningful for them. And we want them to be confident that they are being prepared to succeed on the path they choose. The All College Career Readiness Requirement allows students to explore their strengths and the postgraduate options available to them; develop a story and materials to share with employers and graduate school committees to translate their North Central experiences in exciting ways; and to practice what they’ve learned in the classroom in internship, undergraduate research, practica, and other field experience settings.

Prepare for Interviews

The CCPD team is dedicated to helping students prepare for various interview experiences. Students can schedule one-on-one appointments for mock interviews, attend interview workshops, or use the robust interview platform, Big Interview. With Big Interview, students can gain valuable feedback on their interviewing skills and build confidence to excel in their interviews.

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.

Students studying

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 60% discount on the annual membership by following the steps below:

  1. Navigate to the Career and Networking Center homepage.
  2. Select "Learn More" and then select "Become a Member."
  3. Select the $125 membership option as your choice.
  4. Scroll down to the coupon code open box and include the code CNC75 to allow you to receive the $125 annual membership for the discounted rate of $50 annually.

Become a Career Peer Advisor

Do you enjoy helping your peers through education and leadership? Are you looking for an on-campus job opportunity to develop professionally, while helping your peers do the same? If this describes you, consider applying for the Career Peer Advisor (CPA) program.

Career Peer Advisors are trained paraprofessionals who provide career assistance through the CCPD Drop-In Center, career events, and programs. Working closely with the CCPD team, CPAs advise/coach their peers on quick career-related concerns, such as the career planning process, effective internship and job search skills, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing strategies, and leveraging online career resources.

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.

two student workers in the department of campus safety and office of residence life

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