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Appointments and Walk-in Advising with NCA

NCA is here to support you!  Connect with us through appointments or walk-in hours virtually, in-person, or over the phone.  Undergraduate students, graduate students and recent alumni are eligible to schedule appointments with a member of our team through Handshake.

Visit the Alumni Resources page for more information about career services and resources for alumni more than 6 months beyond graduation.

For any additional questions, please email nca@northwestern.edu  and we will respond quickly. 

Schedule an Appointment

NCA career advisers and career counselors are here to help you navigate all of your career concerns. Appointments with our team are scheduled through Handshake and are available in the following areas:

  • Undecided on a Career Path
  • Choosing an Academic Major
  • Career Advising (finding jobs/internships, networking, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, offer negotiation)
  • Mock Interview
  • Graduate School Application Advising
  • Pre-Law Advising

Appointments can be scheduled virtually, in person or by phone.  Login to Handshake  Career Center > Appointments to view your scheduling options.

Walk-in Hours (Virtual and In-Person)

During the academic year, NCA advisers offers daily walk-in hours offered virtually and in-person to connect with our team for quick career-related questions and guidance. Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students can utilize these hours.

Fall Quarter 2025

NCA walk-in hours for fall run from Monday, Sep 15 - Friday, Dec 5 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM.

  • In-person (620 Lincoln Street) is available Tuesday and Thursday
  • Virtual option via Live Chat is available Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

There will be no Live chat on the following days:

  • 11/24-11/28 (Thanksgiving Week)

If you would like to make an appointment, please do so through Handshake. Questions? Email us at nca@northwestern.edu

NCA Live Chat Instructions:

Virtual walk-in hours are offered via NCA Live Chat* through Microsoft Teams, a platform accessible to all Northwestern students, staff and faculty. Check current walk-in hours before opening Live Chat.

  1. When prompted, enter your Northwestern email address.
  2. You will be redirected to Online Passport.
  3. Sign in with your NetID and NetID password.  If you are already signed into Online Passport, you will go directly to Microsoft Teams.
*Note: Download the app for easier use of Teams.

Open Live Chat

What questions can I ask during Walk-in Hours?

You will have 15-20 minutes for your walk-in session. For longer questions or more detailed feedback, you may be referred to schedule an appointment with a member of the NCA team or to utilize one of our online resources. During walk-in advising you can ask a member of our team quick questions, tips and for resources related to:

  • Navigating NCA services
  • Job/Internship Searching
  • Networking
  • Negotiating Offers
  • Writing resumes and cover letters
NCA Live Chat is an open forum, so do not share confidential information in the main thread. Our team member will move you to a private chat thread in order to answer sensitive questions or provide document reviews.

Career Ambassador Resume Review Drop-ins

Fall Quarter 2025

  • Cats' Closet (630 Lincoln, lower level)
    • Mondays, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
    • Fridays, 3:00 - 5:00 PM
  • Main Library, in the core (second floor)
    • Monday through Thursday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

 

Additional Career Offices at Northwestern

In addition to NCA, there are several other offices at Northwestern that provide career support to students, alumni, and postdocs.  Visit the pages below to learn more about available services: