Career Services
Career planning:
Know how your personality, interests, skills and values translate to a major and career.
Linking majors to careers:
What courses and programs does PSC offer than fit with your personality, interests,
skills and values?
Occupations:
Explore jobs that fit your major. Learn about the day to day activities in those jobs
and what the expected yearly salary or wage is typically.
Creating your job search tools:
Learn how to write a resume and cover letter that highlights your skills and abilities.
Job or Internship search:
Discover ways to find a job or internship, and discover how to utilize the latest
networking techniques, and how to project a professional social media presence.
Interview practice:
Learn how to answer interview questions, dress for success, and gain an understanding
of the various interview techniques (phone, video, Skype, in-person, panel).
Career Planning Checklist
Make sure to download or print the Career Planning Checklist to guide and help you plan your career development throughout your time at PSC.
PSC Career Services Mission Statement:
The Career Services team prepares, educates and empowers students and alumni to explore
opportunities, develop skills and make the connections necessary for life long career
success.
The Prairie State College Career Services Office is committed to supporting talented students from all backgrounds, cultures, and identities. We encourage students to utilize these resources to gain knowledge.
Please visit these Prairie State College offices for further information when needed:
an online community providing first generation college students with the inspiration, information, and support on the road to and through college.
Links to nonprofits dedicated to helping first generation students.
A 10-week summer program in the D.C. area for undergraduate students who are passionate about pursuing careers in social justice.
Provides educational information from first generation college students, for first generation college students.
Job Search Resources for Students of Color (Multicultural)
Career and self-development magazine for African American students.
Job board managed by the National Urban League.
Job board managed by the National Urban League.
Employment resources for professionals and entrepreneurs for African Americans and members of other ethnic groups.
Online job board and other valuable resources.
INSIGHT into Diversity is an organization with career resources and a job board with posts for those interested in higher education, government, or nonprofit opportunities.
Historically Black College or University Career Center is a website that provides visitors with job listings and resources specifically for African-American students and graduates.
LatPro Job Search is a job search website dedicated to the needs of Hispanic and bilingual professionals.
IMDiversity is a job search database with employers committed to diversity and offering opportunities to underrepresented populations.
Conduct an equal opportunity job search by viewing positions available or post an anonymous resume and let employers submit opportunities to you.
Diversity Inc. is a website offering career and employment resources and a job board with employers dedicated to hiring diverse candidates.
Diversity Employers is a website with job postings and information on organizations.
Diversity Working is the largest diversity job board online with community channels spanning various multicultural populations.
The Minority Professional Network is specialized in diversity and multicultural-focused recruiting, supplier diversity, digital marketing, training, and consulting solutions.
Diversity Employers is a job search database for applicants to find employers committed to diversity.
Leading job posting source for Hispanic professionals.
Spanish and bilingual jobs, employer research and national career fair listings.
General Career and Advocacy Resources for Students of Color (Multicultural)
The National Black Chamber of Commerce represents 95,000 African-American-owned businesses and provides advocacy that reaches one million African-American-owned businesses.
National Professional Women of Color is a platform for networking, professional development and strategic connections for women of color
Sponsors for Educational Opportunities provides resource for talented undergraduate students of color to explore careers in many industries.
NBMBAA provides a list of networking events, learning sessions, MBA preparation and scholarships, as well as professional skills training
The mission of 100 Black Men of America is to improve the quality of life and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African-Americans.
The mission of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women is to develop leaders who will help to rebuild their communities and redirect the energies of younger African-Americans in those communities.
Professional networking community.
Consider joining an identity-relevant professional association to help facilitate networking connections and job leads.
Job board, events, networking and more.
Articles, job postings, interest groups, blogs, and event listings.
National network dedicated to supporting the professional success of African-American Women.
Consider joining an identity-relevant professional association to help facilitate networking connections and job leads.
Nonprofit that provides career resources and job opportunities for Latino professionals as well as networking opportunities and leadership trainings for college students.
The U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce began in 1979. It has more than 200 local member chambers in the US, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Composed primarily of entrepreneurs and those working for small businesses. Advocates, promotes and facilitates the success of Hispanic/Latino businesses.
The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce is the oldest and largest national, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing all Asian American and Asian American-related groups in business, sciences, arts, sports, education and public and community services.
The National Association of Asian American Professionals is the largest and fastest growing Asian-American professional organization in North America. The association provides its members with the tools and resources to further career advancements and empower Asian-American professionals to become great leaders and reliable employees.
Job Search Resources for International Students
A Visa sponsorship database that utilizes a smart engine to match skills and background to US employers.
The H1 Base website connects international individuals with resources and jobs available for visa sponsorship.
Use Indeed to search for available H1B Visa opportunities that exist in the United States.
Career Jet is a job search database for both domestic and international job search.
General Career and Advocacy Resources for International Students
The United States Department of Labor provides an overview of international student resources for individuals seeking an H1B visa.
The ForeignBorn website is filled with general resources for international individuals entering and living in the United States.
General resources for international students living in the United States including information on financial aid, visas, university and college search, and job search.
The Immihelp website is a comprehensive resource for information regarding U.S. legal immigration, medical insurance, and travel information.
The Immihelp website is a comprehensive resource for information regarding U.S. legal immigration, medical insurance, and travel information.
General Career and Advocacy Resources for Non-Traditional Students
Back to College offers non-traditional students with resources at all stages of college life including college preparation, navigating college once admitted, and career planning after graduation.
College for Adults is a website that helps non-traditional students with career planning, course selection and the application process.
College Recruiter provides seven resume tips to help non-traditional college students appropriately format a resume.
The Adult Student Aid checklist is provided by The U.S. Department of Education to ensure adult students don’t miss out on available funding.
The Association for Non-Traditional Students in Higher Education provides scholarship opportunities, academic resources and motivational support for non-traditional students, and to celebrate, and to build on the network of faculty, administrators and advisors that work with and inspire non-traditional students to succeed.
Job Search Resources for Student with Disabilities
Recruitment solution dedicated to helping inclusive employers hire professional individuals and veterans with disabilities
A place for people with disabilities to seek employment and be evaluated solely on skills and experience.
Connects a dynamic talent pool of applicants with disabilities to a network of employers that value disability inclusion.
Connects job seekers with federal employment opportunities around the United States and around the world.
Focuses on enhancing the opportunities for economic and personal independence of people who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining, and improving employment.
Charitable organization whose mission is to reduce the high unemployment rate of individuals and veterans with disabilities.
One More Way™ is an ‘open source’ employment initiative that makes information regarding Job Seekers with disabilities, and the programs that support them, available for use by hiring managers in virtually any industry across the country.
Informs, connects and communicates with all stakeholders in the disability and employment system to be a catalyst for a more inclusive workforce
Attracts, prepares, and connects high potential university students and professionals – including veterans – who happen to have all types of disabilities for scholarships, internships, The Lime Connect Fellowship Program, and full time careers with their corporate partners
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.
Entry Point! identifies and recruits students with apparent and non-apparent disabilities studying in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business for internship and co-op opportunities.
American Association of People with Disabilities Career Center is a premier source for people with disabilities to search and land professional careers with leading employers
Geared toward individuals with disabilities seeking employment with the federal government
General Career and Advocacy Resources for Student with Disabilities
National Center for College Students with Disabilities offers students information and support as it relates to college.
National Center for College Students with Disabilities Clearing House has a variety of resources about disability and higher education in one place.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. The ADA applies to private employers with 15 or more employees and all state and local government agencies regardless of the number of employees.
Job Accommodation Network provides accommodation ideas and free consulting services for individuals with physical or intellectual limitations that affect employment. Services include one-on-one consultation about job accommodation ideas, requesting and negotiating accommodations, and rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and related laws.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
The Office of Disability Employment Policy is the only non-regulatory federal agency that promotes policies and coordinates with employers and all levels of government to increase workplace success for people with disabilities.
Resources for Fair and Equitable Hiring
The U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability or genetic information. This website helps to educate visitors to recognize discrimination and provides resources for you if you think you have been discriminated against in the hiring process or in the workplace.
The National of Conference of State Legislatures provides a chart of current workplace protections in state law.
USAGov.com explains employment laws on a variety of topics including fair wage, background checks, arrest records and much more.
The U.S. Department of Labor website provides detailed explanation of your rights in the workplace and explains laws related to fair hiring and workplace practices.
U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services explains what your rights are if an employer asks you if you are authorized to work in the United States.
Workplace Fairness is a non-profit organization dedicated to employee workplace rights. The site provides information about employee rights from discrimination to whistle blower laws to privacy and workplace surveillance.
Resources For LGBTQ Students
Job Search Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
Largest diversity job board online.
An e-recruitment site with postings from companies that promote diversity and provide safe and open environments for LGTBQIA+ individuals.
The Out & Equal Workplace is a non-profit organization dedicated to achieving LGBTQIA+ workplace equality and providing LGBTQ+ job seekers with employment opportunities.
The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals includes resources and job postings for LGBTQIA+ friendly college and university positions.
General Career and Advocacy Resources for LGBTQ+ Students
The VelvetJobs website has a comprehensive collection of LGBTQIA+ career development resources including a language, law, job search strategies, and a listing of LGBTQIA+ friendly employers.
Pride at Work National is a non-profit organization that seeks full equality for LGBTQIA+ individuals in the workplace.
Campus Pride is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering safer college environments for LGBTQIA+ students. Campus Pride also provides job search resources including a job database.
The Human Rights Campaigns' Workplace explores how corporate America is adopting inclusive policies and practices including the Corporate Equality Index, HRB Buyers Guide, and the Best Places to Work.
The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) is the business voice of the LGBT community. The largest advocacy organization dedicated to expanding economic opportunities and advancements for LGBT people, and the exclusive certifying body for LGBT-owned businesses.
Lambda Legal is a non-profit organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals through impact litigation, education, and public policy work.
Out Professionals is the nation's leading organization specializing in LGTBQIA+ networking.
Out for Undergrad (O4U) is an organization that assists high-achieving LGTBQIA+ undergraduates in the areas of marketing, technology, business and engineering.
The National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals is an organization of professionals working in science, technology, engineering and math.
Resume and Cover Letter Resources
- Resume and Cover Letter Resource Guide
- Resume Writing Workshop Video
- Resume Writing Workshop PowerPoint
Interviewing Resources
- Answering “Tell me about yourself.” Short Video
- Tips on Virtual Interviewing Short Video
- The Art of Interviewing Video
- Delivering & Mastering Your Phone Interview Short Video
Career Exploration Resources
Discover majors and in-demand careers and education based on your interests!
These sites help you explore careers by industry or with key words. They provide salary information and economic outlook for position titles.
These links feature information on a wide variety of occupations, including job descriptions, educational requirements, and employment forecasts for those fields. Some of these links also include skills assessment tools.
Job sector outlook information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Read through thousands of unique career profiles, including cutting edge jobs, salary ranges, and videos as an inside look into different careers.
Contains hundreds of video interviews with professionals in a wide variety of careers.
Career exploration, training, and jobs
Job and Internship Search Resources
Parker Dewey Partnership
The PSC Career Services office partnered with Parker Dewey, a third-party company that hosts micro-internships on behalf of organizations. Micro-Internships are professional, paid, short-term assignments that are often completed remotely. These opportunities are an excellent way for you to demonstrate your skills, explore careers, and develop your network as you seek internships and full-time roles. Sign up for a free account today and get started on finding your micro-internship!
LinkedIn and Networking Resources
For Employers
Thank you for your interest in partnering with Prairie State College for your employment needs. Our students and alumni are educated and trained to have the skills and attributes you need to fill your open positions.
We work directly with employers like you to identify candidates who meet your organization’s specific needs. Your organization can benefit from free online job postings, employer meet and greets, internships and more.
To post your open position or internship, email Mary Fitzpatrick at mfitzpatrick2@prairiestate.edu .
For an employer to be qualified to partner with Career Services and Prairie State College, the organization must meet Employer Qualifications:
- Employers must adhere to federal and Illinois state EEO guidelines.
- Employers must not involve solicitation, posting of materials, or sale of products or services.
- Employers and individuals offering employment/entrepreneurial opportunities requiring prospective employees to purchase a franchise or products or services up front are not permitted.
- Employers where compensation is based exclusively on fee/percentage of sales from others under their sponsorship in the organization, are not permitted. This does not apply to fees for Federal and State licensing requirements such as real estate, securities, etc.
- Multilevel marketing companies do not have access to any recruiting opportunities sponsored by the Career Services.
- PSC Career Services does not allow recruiting or posting for individual home services such as babysitting, elder care, lawn maintenance.
- PSC Career Services reserves the right to approve or deny access to recruiting opportunities sponsored by Career Services.