PARTNERSHIPS
Campus Partners
Strategic partnerships are essential to advancing student career development and readiness. By collaborating with employers, campus units, alumni, and community organizations, Career Services expands access to meaningful opportunities that connect classroom learning to careers. These partnerships provide students with valuable industry insights, hands-on experiences, and professional networks that enhance skill development and inform career decision-making. Together, these collaborations create a robust support system that empowers Redbirds to build confidence, explore career pathways, and achieve successful outcomes beyond graduation.
- Campus Recreation
- College of Applied Science and Technology
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Engineering
- Department of Accounting
- Department of Agriculture
- Department of Economics
- Department of Mathematics
- Department of Technology
- Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality
- Graduate Business Birds
- Graduate Student Association
- Leadership Education and Development, Dean of Students Office
- Mennonite College of Nursing
- Milner Library
- Multicultural Center
- University Advancement
- Office of International Engagement
- Office of the Provost
- School of Information Technology
- Student Counseling Services
- University College
- Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Michelle Peña accepts the Commitment to Career Excellence RSO of the Year Award on behalf of the Graduate Student Assocaition.
Dane Meyer and Breana Brown accept the Commitment to Career Excellence Award for “Career Champion” on behalf of the Stevenson Center.
Employer Partners
Employer partnerships play a critical role in shaping student career readiness by connecting Redbirds directly to the expectations and opportunities of today’s workforce. Through collaborations with industry partners, students gain access to internships, open positions, career fairs/networking events, and experiential learning opportunities that build practical skills and professional confidence. Employers also inform programming and provide insight into in-demand competencies, ensuring that students are prepared to meet evolving workforce needs. These partnerships create a dynamic bridge between education and employment, empowering students to graduate with the experience, knowledge, and connections necessary for career success.
On-campus Recruiting
On-campus recruiting serves as a vital connection point between students and employers, directly supporting career readiness and successful outcomes. Redbirds engage with industry professionals, explore career paths, gain firsthand insight into workforce expectations, and identify internships and full-time opportunities. These experiences strengthen students’ professional skills, confidence, and ability to navigate the job search process.
At the same time, employer partnerships through on-campus recruiting create a strong talent pipeline, allowing organizations to connect with and invest in highly-prepared candidates. The Redbird Recruitment Toolkit further enhances this experience by equipping employers with the resources needed to engage effectively with students, ultimately strengthening the impact of recruiting efforts on student career development and success.
Enterprise Client Strategy Manager Monica Hood conducts on-campus informational sessions with students in the Career Services classroom.
City of Bloomington Police officers connect with students at tables in the Bone Student Center during lunch hours.
Cintas representatives host a variety of activities on the Quad to connect with students between classes.
“Illinois State prepares their graduates very well to join the workforce. I look forward to hiring more ISU graduates in the future.”
—Greg Anderson, CIT Trucks vice president of parts and service
Mark Barra accepts the Commitment to Career Excellence Employer of the Year Award (profit) on behalf of Watershed.
Renee Martinez accepts the Commitment to Career Excellence Employer of the Year Award (profit) on behalf of the Illinois Student Assistance Association.
For more information about on-campus recruiting at Illinois State, contact Andee Radliff, Assistant Director of Employer and Alumni Engagement.
Career Fairs
Career fairs play a critical role in advancing student career readiness by connecting Redbirds directly with employers and career opportunities. These events provide students with valuable experience in professional networking, personal branding, and communicating their skills to potential employers, key competencies for career success. In addition to exploring internships and full-time positions, students gain insight into industries, workplace expectations, and emerging career paths.
During the 2025-26 academic year, 482 organizations participated in Career Services career fairs, bringing together over 1,200 employer representatives and engaging over 3,320 students. Hosted both independently and in collaboration with academic departments, these events strengthen the connection between academic preparation and the workforce, equipping students with the confidence and readiness to successfully navigate their career journeys.
“When attending your career fair, the students were great! There were some pretty impressive freshman and sophomores that we hope to watch mature into some future leaders.”
—Penny Darnall, Cintas Corporation talent manager
For more information about career fairs at Illinois State, contact Event Coordinator Rachel Janicki.
Engage Employer Partner Program
Through the Engage Employer Partner Program, Career Services strengthens student career readiness by fostering intentional, high-impact collaborations with employers. These partnerships provide students with direct access to industry professionals, targeted recruiting opportunities, and career-focused engagement that builds essential skills and confidence. By aligning employer needs with student development, the program ensures Redbirds gain relevant experience, industry insight, and a clearer understanding of workforce expectations.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the 2025–26 Engage Partner Program members for their continued investment in Career Services and their meaningful contributions to preparing Redbirds for career success.
For more information about the Engage Employer Partner Program, contact Brian Peacher, Associate Director of Employer and Alumni Engagement.
External Partnerships
Kaplan All-Access License
Illinois State University’s partnership with Kaplan’s All Access License strengthens student career readiness by providing access to industry-leading preparation for graduate admissions, licensure, and credentialing exams, as well as professional skills development. Through more than 40 comprehensive courses—including preparation for exams such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT—students build the knowledge, test-taking confidence, and competitive edge needed to pursue advanced education and career opportunities.
This initiative, Prepare for Illinois' Future Powered by Kaplan's All Access Program, administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), expands equitable access to high-impact resources at no cost to students. By complementing existing campus support, the program empowers Redbirds to confidently take the next step in their career journey and achieve successful post-graduation outcomes.