Career Development

CAREER DEVELOPMENT

In collaboration with faculty and staff and various off-campus partners, the Rockford University Career Development office equips students and alumni to be strategic and career-ready.  

Career Development is not just a department or one-stop center, but a process that starts when you first arrive at RU. While you are on campus, you develop and learn more of who you are and what you aspire to be—and Career Development can help with that.

Spring 2025 Career and Internship Fair

It’s time once again for the Rockford University Career and Internship Fair! To view a list of employers attending, please click here.

Date, Time, and Location:

Date: April 22, 2025

Time: 1:00-4:00 pm

Location: Regents Hall, Burpee Student Center, Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108

Doors will open for participants at 1:00.

Parking and Logistics:

We ask that campus guests park in parking lot A. There will be signs indicating designated parking for attendees and employers. There is an elevator as well.

Contact Information:

For any questions or assistance leading up to the career fair, please don’t hesitate to reach out to cminor@rockford.edu or 815.226.4022. We’re excited to have you join us for this fantastic opportunity to connect employers with students and alumni from Rockford University. Thank you for your participation, and we look forward to seeing you at the career fair!

Rockford University Students

Please go to the Career Development Portal page to access additional resources, templates, and more.

What We Do

Career Development can help students and alumni through:

• Creating an exceptional resume, cover letter, or CV
• Providing mock interview opportunities
• Assessing interests, strengths, values, and goals
• Developing an job/internship search strategy
• Planning for admission to graduate school
• Connect experiences in the classroom and community with future career opportunities
• Exploring majors and minors and linking them to post-graduate goals

Like you, we are focused on your personal and professional development as a whole person.  We are here to help you find your profession, as well as to help you identify the ways you can make meaningful and sustained contributions to the world both now and in the future.

First Destination Survey

Career Development administers the First Destination Survey and collects information from Rockford University alumni in order to assess their post-graduation plans. The First Destination Survey data is designed to provide students, alumni, and employers with critical data about where Rockford University students go after graduation. Survey data provide an impressive overview of the diverse interests and achievements of recent graduates from Rockford University.

• Class of 2023 First Destination Survey (pdf)
• Class of 2022 First Destination Survey (pdf)
• Class of 2021 First Destination Survey (pdf).
• Class of 2020 First Destination Survey (pdf)
• Class of 2019 First Destination Survey (pdf)
• Class of 2018 First Destination Survey (pdf)
• Class of 2017 First Destination Survey (pdf)

Handshake

Rockford University uses Handshake as its official resume and job posting service. Students and Alumni, create your account profile at www.joinhandshake.com to:

• Search for all Full-time, Part-time, and Internship opportunities easily and efficiently
• Create and upload your resume and career portfolio to make available to employers
• Access event announcements, career advice documents, podcasts, videos, and articles

Read about how to set up your profile here!

Career Development Newsletter 

Our monthly newsletter, sent by email to all RU students, can now be accessed 24/7. Click on the links below for fun and free career resources, including interactive quizzes, podcasts, articles, internship opportunities, and even alumni features!