Completing your degree is a major accomplishment that shows your determination, perseverance, and resiliency. UIC Career Services is here to support you in your career development and are able to assist you through our events and career advising sessions which can be scheduled on Handshake.
We hope that this information will be helpful to you and encourage you to contact our office at 312-996-2300 or careerservices@uic.edu for further career-related assistance. UIC Alumni have access to all Career Services events, fairs, resources, and may make individual appointments.
The key sections for this page are:
- Upcoming Events
- Support Resources
- What You Should Focus On Now
- Who’s Hiring
- Focus on What Can Be Done In the Meantime
Upcoming Events Heading link
Support Resources Heading link
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Support
Our office provides career-related assistance to UIC students and alumni. We look forward to assisting you with transitioning to the next chapter in your career development journey.
We are confident you are ready for this transition and are here to support you with this important step. We provide assistance with:
Interview Preparation (including virtual interviews)
Please contact us at (312) 996-2300 or careerservices@uic.edu to schedule an appointment and get started.
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COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging time for all of us. Feelings such as stress, anxiety, grief, and depression are very common during unprecedented times. Please know that you do not have to go through this alone, and keep in mind the below resources to help you maintain good health as you transition from UIC students to alumni.
UIC Counseling Center E-Newsletters
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide
Center for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 Section:
- Daily Life and Coping
- Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
Unemployment During Coronavirus: The Psychology of Job Loss (BBC Article)
5 Ways to Keep Going When the Job Search is Getting You Down (The Muse)
Coping with COVID-19-related Stress as a Student (American Psychological Association)
What Should You Focus on Now Heading link
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Skills & Brand
As you work on the next step in your career, consider using this time to focus on identifying and/or improving your current skills, as well as learning new skills. This is also a great time to reflect on your desired career path and identify ways you can prepare yourself to achieve your career goal(s). Below are some suggestions to keep in mind when focusing on your desired career path.
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Get Ready, Get Set, Get Going!
Even if you are not currently looking for employment, it is always good to stay up to date. Make sure you invest some time in building, or updating your career portfolio. Some common things to work on are listed below.
Resume, CV, and Cover Letter Writing
UIC Career Services’ Resumes, CVs, and Cover Letters Section
UIC CareerIgnite Resume Writing Webinar Series
LinkedIn
- UIC Engineering Career Center LinkedIn Section
- 20 Steps to a Better LinkedIn Profile in 2023
- 10 LinkedIn Tips for Students & New Grads
- 5 Steps to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile in Minutes
Virtual Interviewing Resources
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Realizing, Utilizing, and Expanding Your Network (Networking and Informational Interviewing)
Networking is interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Even during these difficult times, it is essential to expand your network, connect with people, and make yourself visible. Why network? 80% of jobs are found through networking. Most people land a job because of who they know. Now is the time to utilize your networking skills. Below are some resources to keep to help.
What Is the Hidden Job Market? (The Balance Careers)
7 Non Irritating Ways to Network Online (Inc.)
How to Network on LinkedIn Like a Pro
An informational interview is an informal conversation with someone working in an area of interest to you. It is an effective research and networking tool. It is not a job interview, and the objective is not to find a job, although that might occur as a result of informational interviews. Start by connecting with people you already know. Most people enjoy talking about their jobs and providing information and advice to students. Here are some resources on informational interviews.
How an Informational Interview Can Boost Your Career (The Balance Careers)
Maximizing Your Informational Interview Investment (Science)
3 Steps to a Perfect Informational Interview (The Muse)
7 Questions You Can’t Leave an Informational Interview Without Asking
Informational Interviews (CareerOneStop)
Making Connections: A Step-by-Step Guide to Informational Interviews
Additional Networking Resources
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Consider a Gap Year or Graduate School
If you are thinking about going to graduation school or taking a gap year below are some resources to help you in your decision-making process.
Gap Year
- CareerIgnite: Maximizing Your Gap Year Experience Recorded Webinar
- CareerIgnite: Planning a Gap Year Live Chat
Graduate School
Who's Hiring Heading link
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Job Search Tips
Many companies are still hiring. Make sure you view the positions posted on Handshake. New jobs are posted every day! Also, use these tips and resources to research who’s hiring now and apply to open positions.
UIC Career Services Job Section
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General Job Boards
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Remote Employment Tips and Resources
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders, many nonessential jobs transitioned to virtual positions and continue to do so beyond the pandemic. Even though you may have never considered this an option, don’t rule it out. Here are some resources to help you with your remote job search.
State of Remote Work 2023 (Buffer)
How to Find (and Land!) a Remote Job That’s Right for You (The Muse)
Top 100 Companies to Watch for Remote Jobs in 2023 (FlexJobs)
The 25+ Best Sites for Finding Remote Work Online in 2023 (Skillcrush)
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Government Job Opportunities
Many students overlook exploring opportunities (including internships) with the government at the city, state, or federal levels. Government entities hire students from a wide range of majors. UIC Career Services has strong relationships with government recruiters who are excited to hire UIC students and alumni. To ensure you don’t miss out on any current and future opportunities, remember to set up job alerts on UICcareers.com.
State of Illinois Employment Site
State of Illinois Career Counseling Services for Government Jobs
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Short-Term, Freelance, and Staffing Agency Job Opportunities
Micro-internships
Micro-Internships Build Work Experience and Resumes
Why Micro-Internships Will Be the Next Big Thing (Forbes)
Parker-Dewey (Micro-Internship Opportunities)
Staffing Agencies (Temporary and Permanent Opportunities)
Freelance Resources
How to Earn More Money Freelancing (Even if You’re a Total Beginner) (Skillcrush)
How to Find Freelance Work: Tips, Red Flags, and More (FlexJobs)
12 Places to Find Freelance Work Online (The Balance Careers)
Focus on What Can Be Done in the Meantime Heading link
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Online Learning Resources
The best way to spend your “down time” during a job search is to invest in your own professional development. Thanks to the technical age we live in, it’s easier than ever to keep your skills polished and learn new ones. There are several websites below that provide opportunities for online learning to better position you for your next job.
These sites provide a multitude of courses, both free and paid, for topics as diverse as using Excel, influencing others, Python, Google Cloud, financial markets, anatomy and several more. Additionally, many traditional universities also offer free online courses: Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Oxford, MIT, and others are worth checking out.
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Student Loan Resources
If you’re carrying student debt, now is the time to educate yourself about how and when that is paid—and some possible options for student loan forgiveness (if you qualify). The following resources can provide you with some basic information to help you feel more empowered about your finances.
NerdWallet – Student Loan Section
Income-Driven Repayment: Is It Right for You? (Student Loan Article)
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Financial Budgeting Resources
Along with tackling the topic of student loans, managing your finances should be next on your list. Sticking to a realistic budget and tracking your expenses will go a long way in making you feel empowered about your financial state. The following resources are great places to get you started.
Budgeting and Personal Finance (The Balance)
The Best Budgeting Spreadsheet for Recent Graduates (Policygenius)