Career Resources

Career Resources

Our career planning resources are now all located on Handshake! This page contains quick links to the resources you will find there.

Getting Started with Career Planning

• New students, start on your First-Year Fast-Track: Starting with a special New Student Orientation session with the CAC that will introduce the key tenets of career planning at the College, students will engage in a variety of tailored services to take the first key steps in exploring their interests and getting career-ready. Click here to learn more.
• Meet your career advisor: Drop by Career Express Advising on Mondays-Thursdays from 11:30a.m.-12:30p.m. during the academic year (each advisor has their own day).  Or, to schedule an appointment on Handshake, follow this link, or from Handshake's home page, click "Career Center" and then "Appointments." The CAC main office is located in Brown Hall 256 on Middle Campus. Email us at careers@lakeforest.edu, call 847-735-5235, or stop by and we can help you set up your first appointment! (First-Years are encouraged to complete their First-Year Fast-Track first to prepare for discussions with their advisor.)
• Explore the Career Milestones. Our action-oriented four-year program will enable you to develop and implement an effective career strategy to accomplish your professional goals. Each step is loosely correlated with the traditional four years of undergraduate education, but everyone moves at their own pace. To help you find your way, the Career Milestones Map provides a guide to the most important actions you can take for your career planning. As you progress, you can check off these actions to record your journey. Remember, the CAC, and your entire Forester community, is here to help every step along the road.
• Discover more on Handshake.

Career Exploration Resources

Learn about yourself and your career/academic options.

• One of the best ways to begin exploring potential career paths is to find common themes in what you have already learned, experienced, or enjoyed and use those to develop and evaluate options. On the Career Exploration resource on Handshake, find guides that will walk you through this process to begin brainstorming connections, researching careers of interest, and more. You will also be able to access external exploration resources such as the ability to take personality and skills assessments on Focus2, explore "What Can I Do With This Major", research professions on O*Net, and more.

Resume, Cover Letter, and LinkedIn Resources

Our team of career advisors can help you make sure your resume and cover letter stands out.

• Check out our Resume, Cover Letters, and LinkedIn resource on Handshake, which include Building a Resume,  Resume Action Verbs List, Common Resume Mistakes, a LinkedIn Profile Checklist, How to Put Together a Great Cover Letter, many examples of strong resumes from across the Career Pathways, and more!

• The first Wednesday of every month, the CAC holds a 30 minute resume workshop in Brown 234 from 12-12:30p.m. Bring your laptop and get ready to start a great resume! Register for workshops on Handshake.
• Want your resume, cover letter, or LinkedIn profile reviewed by a professional? After you explore the resources above and have a draft, make an appointment on Handshake to discuss revisions with your career advisor.
• Need a LinkedIn photo? The CAC offers headshots at the Forester Career Closet located in Roberts 100. Drop in 1-3p.m. on Fridays during the academic year, or email careers@lakeforest.edu to make an appointment.

Internship Resources

Explore careers and gain experience in the field through an internship.

• The Internship Resources page on Handshake contains quicklinks to all the information you will need to complete the internship process, including information about completing an internship for credit (taking an Academic Internship Course).
• Also explore:
  • ForesterNet Pages on the Academic Internship Program Course
  • Academic Internship Interest Form: Complete this if you are interested in pursuing an academic internship, and the CAC will assign you to an Internship Specialist who will help you with your next steps.
  • Academic Internship Program Fact Sheet: Learn additional information regarding the internship search process and timeline.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
• A note on the Forester Fundamental Curriculum Experiential Learning Requirement: While we strongly encourage students to complete at least one (for-credit or non-credit) internship during their time at the College, it is not the only way to satisfy the Experiential Learning requirement. Other options to satisfy this requirement can be found on the Forester Fundamental Curriculum webpage. 

Networking and Job/Internship Search Resources

Whether you’re looking for an internship or job, these resources can help.

• The Networking and Job/Internship Search resource on Handshake provides information for a successful search, including guides to networking (an essential step to searching for opportunities is to learn how to build, maintain and use a professional network!), smart searching strategies, guides to identifying organizations of interest, and links to the best websites to find openings. You will also find information about how to navigate the offer process and tips you should know before accepting.
• The CAC hosts networking events throughout the year that are an excellent way to make connections and build your network. Keep checking Handshake for events where you can build your network.

Interview Resources

Use your skills and experience to get the job.

• Whether it’s your first time interviewing or your 50th, preparing for an interview can be a daunting process. The Preparing for an Interview resource on Handshake can help to demystify the process and prepare you for common questions and scenarios. Find guides to preparing, developing your professional introduction, common questions, tips for virtual interviewing, and access to a mock interviewing platform StandOut so you can practice, practice, practice!
• You can also schedule a mock interview with a career advisor to practice. Make an appointment on Handshake.

Dressing for Professional Success

What you wear to a job interview or networking event matters!

• The Forester Career Closet is an on-campus resource that provides free professional clothing to students. Build your professional wardrobe from our selection of shirts, dresses, skirts, blazers, suits, sweaters, trousers, shoes, and accessories! We carry a range of fits, styles, and colors in a variety of sizes. You can also get a photo taken for your LinkedIn and Handshake profile. The Career Closet is in Roberts 100. Drop in 1-3p.m. on Fridays during the academic year, or email careers@lakeforest.edu to make an appointment.
• Explore the Dressing for Professional Success guide on Handshake for tips to dress your best.

Career Resources for International Students

Find additional guides and considerations for international students.

• International students, be sure to visit the Career Resources for International Students page on Handshake for a job search guide specifically for international students, a list of employers of recent Lake Forest College international students, and links to external resources with H1B visa employer directories.