Getting Started with UCS: Graduate Students

Connect Electronically

CareerCat

CareerCat is an online job and internship database managed by UCS that contains opportunities for Northwestern undergraduates, graduate students and alumni.  Registering for CareerCat is your first step to getting started with UCS. This will also register you for the UCS Weekly Email, which contains helpful updates on workshops, employer visits, and career-related events at Northwestern.
UCSGRADSTUDENTS Listserv Interested in job/internship postings and career-related information relevant to NU graduate students? Click here to join the UCSGRADSTUDENTS Listserv and click “Subscribe.”

Quick Questions

Walk-In Hours

Walk-in hours are appropriate for quick career-related questions including:

  • Introduction and overview of UCS Services
  • Resume/CV/cover letter critiques
  • Job/internship search questions

UCS holds Walk-In hours Tuesday-Friday from 11:00 AM-2:45 PM when school is in session.  Walk-in hours are first come-first served and 15 minutes in length.  Visit the Walk-In Hours page for locations and dates.

Not all questions can be answered during a walk-in session.  Your walk-in discussion may lead to a referral to another UCS staff member for a follow-up appointment. 

Individual Appointments

UCS professional staff are available for individual appointments on both the Evanston and Chicago campuses to discuss a range of common graduate student career concerns, including:
  • Evaluating career paths within and outside of academia
  • Understanding the impact of graduate school on career options
  • Transitioning from graduate student to professional
  • Taking career assessments
  • Managing feelings of being rushed/pressured to make career decisions
  • Making decisions that are most appropriate given lifestyle considerations
  • Examining the influence of familial, cultural, gender, sexual orientation and/or disability issues on the career decision making process
  • Identifying appropriate job/internship opportunities available for graduate students
  • Effective communication and networking strategies
  • Learning, evaluating, and refining interviewing skills
  • Preparing job search documents (Resume/CV/Cover Letters, etc.)
Chicago Campus

UCS holds biweekly career advising hours for Northwestern graduate students on the Chicago Campus.

Fridays 1/18, 2/1, 2/15, 3/1, 3/15     Abbott Hall

To schedule a Chicago Campus appointment, please email Kamilah McCoy, UCS Associate Director for Graduate Student Services.

In your email include 1) the date you would like to schedule 2) your available times on that date, and 3) issues you would like to discuss during your appointment.
Evanston Campus

Appointments on the Evanston Campus are held year-round in our main office, located at 620 Lincoln Street.

To schedule an appointment, call 847-491-3700.  UCS staff will schedule you with the appropriate advisor based on your needs.