Center for Career and Professional Development

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. 

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.