STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
Advising
Redbirds receive the tools and confidence to achieve career readiness and long-term success. Through individualized advising, students clarify goals, build professional skills, and make informed career decisions. Full-time career advisors, supported by trained student career ambassadors, deliver these services and foster a supportive environment that empowers students to navigate each stage of their career development with purpose and direction.
Appointments with Career Advisors
Drop-ins with Career Ambassadors
Total Appointments
“Megan Ruffin was the person that made my transition into college so easy. She works as an advisor but in her intro to college course she went above and beyond for her students. She was the first person that made me feel welcome at Illinois State, and it meant a lot to me. I don't know if I would be at the place that I am if I didn't have Megan as my instructor for my first semester.”
—Ava Russo, freshman
“Shanika Green has been super helpful to me. She helped me come up with career ideas that I had never considered or even known. She offered contacts to connect with industries that I’m interested in. She also consistently gives me feedback when I need it, encouraging me to continue venturing into uncomfortable territories for the sake of professional and personal growth. She’s helpful and attentive, making me feel truly heard and aligned.”
—Kayla Burrell, senior
Career Advisors
Programming
Program Student Attendance
Students actively engage in Career Services programs that strengthen career readiness and position them for success beyond graduation. These experiences connect Redbirds with practical tools, industry insights, and meaningful relationships, helping them build essential skills, explore career pathways, and navigate the transition from college to career with confidence.
Signature Programs
Signature career programs play a central role in advancing student career readiness and supporting long-term success. These high-impact experiences are intentionally designed to help Redbirds build critical professional skills, explore career pathways, and apply their learning in real-world contexts. Through structured programming, students gain exposure to industry expectations, develop confidence in their abilities, and expand their professional networks. Together, these programs provide meaningful opportunities that prepare students to transition from college to career with clarity, competence, and a strong foundation for future achievement.
- Career Readiness Week–224 student participants
- Cultural Career Network–115 student participants
- Graduate School Series–88 student participants
- International Student Career Series–180 student participants
- Navigating Career Fair–358 student participants
- Redbird Career Treks–43 student participants
Kevin P. Davenport, author and founder of the Ideal Candidate, converses with students about identity and career success during Career Readiness Week.
Students learn how to draft their pitch when meeting employers and practice doing so at Navigating Career Fairs.
During a Cultural Career Network program, Emmy-nominated public educator Ernest Crim III shares helpful tips with students on how to evaluate their network and strengthen their career skills.
For more information about career programs, contact Program Coordinator Tamanna Tasmin.
Career Exploration
Career exploration services provide a strong foundation for student career readiness by helping Redbirds identify meaningful pathways aligned with their interests, values, and strengths. Students are empowered to make career decisions, build confidence in their goals, and successfully navigate their career journey.
Designing Your Career Plan (IDS 106)
Through this one-credit hour course students learn how to effectively use career planning strategies, transferable skills, networking, and a variety of career exploration techniques to explore career options and develop a customized career plan for success.
Number of IDS 106 Participants
“I did not know how learning about other job paths would help me...I learned so much from the panelist informational interview.”
—Jackson Sanderson, senior
Steppingblocks Digital Career Counselor
The Steppingblocks platform represents a strategic partnership between Student Affairs and Academic Affairs. Together, the two divisions leverage graduate outcomes and alumni data to better understand the post-graduation experiences of Illinois State students.
The Digital Career Counselor, provided by Steppingblocks, offers insights into alumni career paths, helping students visualize opportunities and plan next steps.
Students, faculty, and staff are provided with rich, data-driven insights into career outcomes. Career advisors utilize the platform to help students explore pathways aligned with their majors and make informed decisions about their career development.
To further integrate career exploration into academic curriculum, an assignment module was developed for use Digital Career Counselor across academic programs, embedding outcome awareness directly into the student experience. Early feedback highlights its impact as students enrolled in IDS 106 and IDS 128 indicate that it is one of their favorite assignments.
For more information about career exploration, contact Career Advisor Shanika Green.
Career Services Graduate Assistant Alexandra Azonobo receives the Student Staff Member of the Year Award for her outstanding service and contributions.