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IB is here for you, now and after you graduate.
Career Connections is your place for everything career, getting you to your goals and beyond.

We offer everything from individual consultations to community career support groups to workshops to personalized resources. Services are available to our entire Biology community - current IB and Biology majors, graduate students, and alumni.

Individual Consultations

I can help you wherever you are at right now with your career. You don't need to have a resume made, a solid idea of your career, or to even know what your question is. I'd be happy to help. I have 80+ connections to professionals, recruiters, mentors, peer leaders, and others who can help you move forward. My goal is for you to leave knowing your next steps and who can help you get there.

I can connect you with professionals in your field who can help you learn what it takes to break into and excel in that field, and with resources and other campus connections that can help advance your career goals.

If you’re applying for jobs, internships, graduate programs, scholarships, or anything that requires application materials this service is right for you. I can help you brainstorm to get started, tailor your application for the job, figure out what employers are looking for, help refine your language, and more. 

I'm here to support you, so let me know how I can help!

Appointments are available Monday through Friday.

Schedule your appointment at:  https://go.illinois.edu/IBADVISING

Join the IB Discord Community

Discord Logo

We're leveraging the awesome community feel of Discord to give you a space to ask and answer anything related to careers.

What's available?

  • job openings, research opportunities, volunteer events, and more
  • answers about grad school, med school, professional schools, from people who are currently applying or have already gotten in.
  • insights into the current job market from recent alumni currently applying and professionals who are hiring new grads, so you know exactly what to expect when looking for jobs and internships.
  • connections with professionals and mentors to learn what their jobs are really like
  • anything else you need!

It's your space, so build the community that will help you succeed! Our alumni mentors have already joined and are ready to answer your questions.

Check it out at: https://go.illinois.edu/IBDiscord

Screenshot of the SIB Discord

IB 392: Translating your IB Degree into Career Success

One credit course | Spring | Tuesdays 4PM | In-Person

Planning your future was already tough, but with COVID-19 has come new and unpredictable challenges. It is more important than ever to understand how to be successful on the job market, how to market your skill sets, and what your career options are. It will be essential to gain connections and allies in your fields of interest. We can help with all of that in IB392. IB alumni who are professionals in 20+ fields plus recruiters and industry experts will walk you through career options and how to stand out as an applicant, break into competitive fields, & navigate tough job markets.

If you have questions about logistics, or how the class can work in your busy schedule, reach out to Christina Swanson at sillima2@illinois.edu.

Course Overview

In this one credit course, we will explore together what jobs and industries are available to IB grads, and how your unique set of skills makes you qualified for these positions. You will explore your own skill set and values to determine what careers and industries are right for you, and how to decide if you're a good match for a job. This will also help you plan for what experiences and skills you need to include in your final semester(s) here at UIUC!

Once you have a few career paths in mind, we'll talk about how to communicate your unique skill set to employers (your "brand"), to showcase why you are a good match for the position.

We'll have experts along the way to serve as resources, including UIUC biology alumni that have been in your shoes and are now professionals in a range of fields. They are ready to share their experiences, wisdom, and insider information from their time on the job market. You will get invaluable connections to IB fields, and advice from individuals at different points in their careers.

Why should I take this course?

There are SO many things you can do with an IB degree, even if you know you love science or medicine, it is hard to find a career that is "right" for you. If you are lucky enough to know what you want to do, it's not so simple to figure out what you need to do to be successful in that career, or what experiences you need on your resume.

This course is meant to be for you to figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life, and to learn what it takes to be successful in whatever career you choose. Take this course if you want to explore your options after college, or if you want to know how to set yourself up for success in the job market.

What should I expect in this course?

I will provide every opportunity for success, because that is my number one course objective. In return, I ask you to reflect, and to think critically both during and outside of class. There are no pop quizzes, memorization, or rigorous exams. Instead, you are in charge of your own learning process, and we are focused on real-life application. You will have input on how you spend your out-of-class time and what projects would benefit you the most. Our final project will be a real-life application of the course material, and is meant to further your career goals.

Who will be joining us?

We will have several experienced alums joining us from a range of careers and industries such as:

  • Genetic Counseling
  • Forensic Pathology
  • Conservation and Environment
  • Biotechnology
  • Public Health
  • Non-Academic Research
  • Environmental Education
  • Neonatology / Primary Care
  • and more!

And from places such as:

  • National Institute of Health
  • Department of Natural Resources
  • Illumina
  • Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium
  • Prairie Research Institute
  • Siemens Healthineers
  • Amgen
  • Indiana University School of Medicine
  • and more!

Check out the alumni profiles for more information about each alum!
If you have questions contact Christina Swanson at sillima2@illinois.edu

Alumni Mentoring Program

Collage of images of alumni who are a part of the SIB Alumni Mentoring Program

 

We have over 50 IB graduates, now professionals in a huge range of fields, who are excited to talk with you about how to advance your career. All of our alumni mentors are available for conversations, informational interviews, advice, and mentorship, depending on what is most beneficial to you.

What can you do with an IB degree?
How do you find job openings in your field?
What do you really need to know or do to get a job in your field?
How will COVID-19 impact your job search?

Planning your future was already tough, but with COVID-19 has come new and unpredictable challenges. It is more important than ever to understand how to be successful on the job market, how to market your skill sets, and what your career options are. It will be essential to gain connections and allies in your fields of interest.

It's easy to connect with professionals in your fields of interest - email Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu and she will match you to the right person for you! After a short conversation we can identify the person who will be most helpful for you and make an introduction. Christina can help you figure out what to say in that initial email, what kinds of questions to ask, and how to maintain a strong professional network.

Alumni Profiles

All of our alumni mentors are available for conversations, informational interviews, advice, and mentorship, depending on what is most beneficial to you.

It's easy to connect with professionals in your fields of interest - email Christina Swanson at alumnimentor@sib.illinois.edu and she will match you to the right person for you! After a short conversation we can identify the person who will be most helpful for you and make an introduction. Christina can help you figure out what to say in that initial email, what kinds of questions to ask, and how to maintain a strong professional network.

Check out our alumni profiles to learn about the alums in the program!

Alumni Profiles

Career Development Resources

Exploration & Planning

Career planning involves understanding your interests, skills, and goals. There are a multitude of resources available to you to help with that! In addition to the following links, be sure to check out the LAS Life & Career Design Lab and The Career Center.

Building Your Resume

Students need to have a range of experiences both in the classroom and beyond to determine what they'll do after graduation. We encourage students to engage with opportunities and reflect on how they fit into their life and career goals. The links below are great resources to find experiences to help.

Job Search Process

The job search is a chance to put your best foot forward, and tell future employers about your experiences! Use the links below for help with finding and applying for jobs.

IB 392: Translating your IB Degree into Career Success

In this one credit course, find out what jobs and industries are available to IB grads. You will explore your own skill set and values to determine what careers and industries are right for you. This will also help you plan for what experiences and skills you need to include in your final semester(s) here at UIUC!
Take the Class!