Career Resources
Explore Opportunities
Advising (updated May 2, 2022)
Beginning Monday, May 16, 2022, iSchool Career Services will *not* be taking individual career advising appointments with students for an extended period of time. Assistant Director of Career Services and Practicum Coordinator, Rebecca Hodson, will be on an extended leave and Career Services Graduate Assistant Joshua Falconer is graduating. More information about resuming appointments will be shared at a later date when available.
Although iSchool Career Services cannot take appointments during this time, central campus offices may be able to assist you. Undergraduate students should visit the Campus Career Center and BSIS Express Advising for support. In addition, we have robust resources available on-demand, tailored to information science students. Click the links below and review the articles, training modules, and other helpful information we have curated for you.
If you have questions about internships, the Practicum course, or CPT/work authorization, please email ischool-internship@illinois.edu and a staff member will respond to your query when they are able.
Thank you for your understanding and patience!
General Advice
Workshops and Events
Career Services also has workshops, panel sessions and other programming to help with your career development. To see a schedule of upcoming events visit our iSchool Calendar. And to view past event recordings click this link.
Assess Yourself
Success Stories
Gain Experience
Volunteering
Volunteering during your iSchool program can be a personally and professionally fulfilling experience. Visit the link below to find out what kind of volunteering is right for you!
Resources from Illinois Student Engagement
For further information, university students can contact the Office of Volunteer Programs at 217-300-8757 or ovp@illinois.edu.
Internships
IS269 Internship: This zero-credit course is for BSIS students who have been offered a full-time or part-time internship or co-op that is related to their major field of study. A brief reflection is required to receive the Satisfactory grade. For international students, this course can be used for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Approved for S/U grading only. May be repeated. Prerequisite: IS 101 or IS 202. Offered every semester. Restricted to BSIS students only. Must have approval from the Internship Coordinator, email ischool-internship@illinois.edu
Practicums
IS249 Practicum: This three-credit course is for students who want to earn credit for an internship or experiential learning opportunity they have been offered. This opportunity allows students to integrate the theory and knowledge of course content with the application of principles and practices in a work environment and develop as a professional in the field of information sciences. At least 100 hours of work is required in addition to a written reflection and other assignments. Must enroll in the semester in which you complete your hours.For international students, this course can be used for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). Approved for S/U grading only. Prerequisite: IS101 or IS202. Restricted to BSIS students only. Cannot be repeated. Offered every semester. Must have approval from the Practicum Coordinator, email ischool-internship@illinois.edu
Request forms to enroll in IS249 Practicum:
Deadlines to enroll in IS249 Practicum:
- Summer 2022: May 27
- Fall 2022: September 2
Make Connections
Informational Interviews
Holding an informational interview is one of the best ways to explore career options and network with professionals. These meetings, whether in person or virtual, can provide invaluable insight into the real work of active professionals and can give you perspective on the skill sets and pathways to those careers.
Helpful articles:
Contact Director of Alumni Affairs Jill Gengler (ischool-advancement@illinois.edu) to identify alumni with whom you would like to speak. Please email her your areas of interest and your degree program when you reach out.
Get a Job
After you complete your research, write down the job title. Review the position description for the role that you’re seeking, then compare its responsibilities and requirements with the various job titles to ensure that they are comparable.
Review all your findings to determine the title that best matches the job responsibilities and requirements that you are looking at. Look at multiple websites and data sources to get a comprehensive idea of appropriate salaries for the job title.
Identify a job of interest, then visit at least two websites with objective, market-based information about that job. To select the job title that fits the best, compare job descriptions, job duties, and required education and experience.
Job Boards
Campus Resources
Handshake: Primary job board for UIUC. The University of Illinois uses Handshake to present employment and experiential learning opportunities to students and alumni. Handshake is a powerful tool for finding entry-level jobs, hourly positions, internships, practicums, volunteer opportunities, and campus assistantships. The employers who post opportunities are actively recruiting talent from the iSchool and the University of Illinois. Employers can search student profiles and public resumes, so be sure your profile is complete and your resume is public. Sign-in to Handshake with your net-id and password to get started.
Data Science & Analytics Jobs
Sample Job Titles: Digital Technology Analyst, Data Analyst, Technology Development, Risk Analyst, Data Scientist
Information Architecture & Design Jobs
Privacy, Trust, Security, and Ethics Jobs
Bioinformatics
Career Statistics
Sports Related Careers
Additional Resources
Application Materials
Resumes
A resume is a brief summary of your skills, accomplishments, and other relevant information to support your application to a specific job.
Cover Letters
The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and to demonstrate the fit between your background and the position for which you are applying.
Interview Preparation
We are pleased to offer you a free training system that features a new and innovative way to help you prepare more effectively for a job interview. Big Interview is an online system that combines training and practice to help improve your interview technique and build your confidence.
Here’s how to set up your Big Interview account:
- STEP 1: Go to https://illinois.biginterview.com/ and click "Register"
- STEP 2: Enter your school email address, name, and password, and click “Create my Account”
- STEP 3: Log in and start using Big Interview
- Here is a short video if you need help with registration
Additional interview resources:
Find Support
International Students
Disabled Students
Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES) offers a variety of opportunities and resources related to career development and employment transition.
Share Your Story
Got a job? Please help other students by telling the iSchool about your jobs and internships. We ask for job titles, employers, locations, and salary information (so we can share average salaries by program) to help others understand what kind of opportunities are available.
