Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) fosters excellence in career development, preparation, and professional opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students and alumni by providing comprehensive services and programming. You can schedule appointments through Handshake.

  • Recommended contact: Elysse Longiotti for resume edits, practice interviews, etc
  • Location: 620 Lincoln Street, Evanston, IL 60201

Northwestern Graduate School (TGS) resources

Center for Civic Engagement works across disciplines to develop a comprehensive institute of academic and co-curricular opportunities. The goal is to introduce students to civic engagement.

  • Email engage@northwestern.edu
  • Recommended contact: Ruth Martin Curry
  • Location: 1813 Hinman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60208

Office of Fellowships works with students to match and apply for competitive awards and fellowships. They provide support and resources to guide students throughout the application process. They also maintain a database of fellowships.

The Writing Place is Northwestern’s center for peer writing consultations. Writing Place consultants can help you at any stage of the writing process, from talking about ideas, to developing a plan, to revising and editing drafts. Consultations are free and available to anyone in the Northwestern community.

  • Graduate students, faculty and staff: Graduate Writing Place  555 Clark, Room 2-206, Evanston and Galter Health Sciences Library, Room 1-411
  • Register online for an appointment

Research Communication Training Program at Northwestern focuses on important and basic components of scientific communication.

BioProfessionals program sponsored by the IBiS and DGP programs.

Skills & Careers in Science Writing is a program offered to Northwestern STEM+ PhD students to develop science writing and communication skills.

 

External Resources:

NSF Professional Development Resources

NIH information on how to pick a postdoc

GoogleDoc for free/low cost resources for research

BioScience Careers

What Can You Be with a PhD? is the largest PhD career symposium in the country. The symposium has 40 different career path sessions and professional development workshops featuring over 100 speakers over the course of two days.

myIDP Science Careers  provides exercises to help you examine your skills, interests, and values while listing up to 20 different scientific career pathways and match to the ones which best fit your skills and interests.

PhD Student is an online resource which has many different articles about applying and succeeding in graduate school. They also contain many different articles about post-graduate careers.

Free the PhD is an free online resource for students to explore other careers outside of academia. Their aim is to provide PhD students with feedback and guidance to shift their academic mindset and evolve their identify beyond their research projects.

PhD Summit is a two day virtual conference bringing together scientific leaders in academic, biopharma, media, mental healthy and art to uncover the template behind peak performance and global success.

CareerOneStop  is a source sponsored by the US Department of Labor for career exploration, training and jobs.

The Holland Code Career Test is a free career quiz to show you jobs would suit your interests, aptitudes, and skills.

My Next Move allows you to browse different careers.

 

Northwestern University Health Services (NUHS) offers health services and HIV/STI screening free of charge.

Northwestern Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides limited mental health services, including individual psychotherapy and group therapy sessions, free of charge to Northwestern students.

  • Evanston campus: Searle Hall, 2nd Floor, 633 Emerson Street, Evanston, IL 60208
  • Chicago campus: Abbott Hall, 5th Floor, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611
  • Telephone: (847) 491-2151

Howard Brown Health Center was founded in 1974 and is now one of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations. They offer subsidized individual and group therapy sessions, as well as LGBTQ-affirming medical services and support

  • Telephone: (773) 388-1600

IntraSpectrum Counseling is a counseling center dedicated to serving LGBTQ people in Chicago.

  • Downtown location: 180 N. Michigan Ave, Suite 1830
  • Andersonville location: 5340 N. Clark St, Suite 212
  • Telephone: (773) 750-3505

Trans Lifeline is a national trans-led 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving the quality of trans lives by responding to the critical needs of our community with direct service, material support, advocacy, and education.

    • Telephone: (877) 565-8860

Womencare Counseling Services offers psychotherapy in Evanston, IL.

    • Address: 1740 Ridge Ave # 201, Evanston, IL 60201
    • Telephone: (847) 475-7003

Center for Awareness, Response and Education (CARE) is a confidential spaces for students impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence or stalking. Their mission is to create a culture of healthy sexuality at Northwestern University. You can make an appointment online. Their response services are available Monday through Friday 8:30AM to 5PM.

Religious and Spiritual Life  supports the quest for meaning and purpose through exploration, practice, and growth in the religiously devise and inclusive communities. They also have a Mindfulness and Stress Reducation program.

Dean on Call (DOC) assists students and the University community members who need counsel and guidance, especially in a crisis situation. The DOC ensures that students in distress receive appropriate referrals and levels of support.

  • During regular business hours call (8:30am to 5:00pm Mon – Fri): (847) 491-8430
  • The after hours phone number: (847) 467-3022.

Title IX Coordinators oversee the University’s compliance with Title IX,i ncluding coordinating the investigation of and response to sex discrimination complaints, responding to inquiries concerning Title IX, tracking incidents and trends involving sexual misconduct, coordinating equity in athletics compliance, publicizing Northwestern’s policies and providing training on preventing sex discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual violence.

Office of Equity is dedicated to fostering a culture of access, belonging, and accountability. They believe that all members of the Northwestern University community should be free from discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct.

 NU Office of Student Affairs cultivates student program and services with partners across NU and neighboring communities to create a culture where all students thrive.

Welltrack –An interactive, self-educational, online program that uses cognitive- behavioral techniques to help you address a range of issues, such as symptoms of anxiety and depression.

PhD Balance is a community creating space for academics to learn from shared experiences on how to navigate through academia to dealing with mental health struggles.

​

Taxes: The Graduate School

Office of International Student and Scholar Services Tax Requirements

Student Enrichment Services (SES) is committed to building an inclusive Northwestern community by engaging students and their allies with programming and dialogue around the low-income and first-generation experience.

  • Address: 1927 Orrington Ave, Evanston, IL 60208

Tax Prep Chicago is a free tax prep service offered by the City of Chicago to file their returns and claim their tax refunds.

Personal Finance for PhDs is a great resource for learning how to make the most of your stipend. They have a podcast and blogs about how to invest, save, and figure out your taxes. One blog which may be of use is How to Prepare Your Grad Student Tax Return (Y2019).

NerdWallet helps people explore and understand financial terminology and different options. Overall great resource for everyday finances.

 

In IBiS:

IBiS Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) will focus its efforts on recruiting, serving, and supporting IBiS students of diverse identities related, but not limited, to race, socio-economic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender, culture, nationality, ability, and educational background.

Molecular Biosciences Diversity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) is committed to creating a climate in which graduate students are valued and excel. They provide a supportive and safe space to discuss, ask questions, and learn about issues in diversity, equity, and inclusion. They also have a form where you can submit concerns anonymously.

Diversity in Biological Sciences (DIBS) Council seeks to foster a community for underrepresented minorities and LGBTQ* students within IBiS by increasing resources and advocating for an inclusive environment within IBiS and MBS. They hold a quarterly DIBS Coffee Chat as well a Book Club. You can submit concerns and questions anonymously through this form. You can also email them at dibs@u.northwestern.edu

At Northwestern:

Campus Resource List

TGS-Affiliated Organizations

Graduate Student Association (GSA) connects graduate students across The Graduate School (TGS)-affiliated departments and programs. Their goal is to enhance the quality of graduate student life at Northwestern University.

Graduate Leadership & Advocacy Council (GLAC) brings graduate students’ concerns to the attention of the deans and administrative staff at The Graduate School on both Evanston and Chicago campuses.

Northwestern Graduate Workers (NUGW) is the graduate student-led labor union fighting for better working and living conditions for all graduate workers.

Science in Society is a Northwestern research center dedicated to science education and public engagement in the local Chicago area. Working with local partners, they train Northwestern researchers to share their expertise as well as develop long-lasting educational initiatives.

Graduates Mentoring Undergraduates (GMU) is a student-led organization which pairs graduate and undergraduate students together to foster a stronger sense of community. GMU aims to support undergraduate students while focusing on engaging with underserved populations.

Society for the Achievement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) at Northwestern is the local chapter of SACNAS at Northwestern. Their mission is to foster the success of Latinx, Native Americans, and other graduate level scientists in underrepresented groups by cultivating a community and providing professional development, networking, mentoring opportunities.

Science Policy Outreach Task Force (SPOT) at Northwestern is a non-partisan organization focused on advocating for science, evidence-based reasoning, and scientifically-sound policy to voting-aged public and policymakers. Contact them at spotforceNU@gmail.com

Science Cafe is a forum of discussion of important and interesting scientific issues. They often begin with an engaging talk from a research scientist who introduces a topic and fosters public conversation.  Contact them at sigma-xi@northwestern.edu for more information.

Morning Mentors is a collaboration between Nichols Middle School students and graduate students at Northwestern University. Each morning, mentor and mentees work together to review school related skills, homework, and study for tests. Contact them at nu.morning.mentors@gmail.com for more details.

External Organizations:

Skype A Scientist is a database of thousands of scientists and helps teachers and educators to connect with experts in the field all over the globe.

Letters to a Pre-Scientist (LPS) connects a student with a STEM pen pal to humanize STEM professionals, demystify STEM career pathways, and inspire students about a future in STEM.

Girls Who Code aims to close the gender gap in technology.

Black Girls Code aims to increase the number of women of color in the digital space.

iMentor is a program focusing on building mentoring relationships that empower first-generation students from low-income communities to graduate high school, succeed in college, and achieve their ambitions.

Genetics Society of America Science Communication Resources

CommSciCon is a workshop series organized by graduate students, for graduate students, focused on science communication skills.

National Science Policy Network is a non-profit focsued on providing a platform for sharing resources, building relationships, and training the next generation of scienticists in all levels of policy making.

 

At Northwestern:

The Graduate School Fellowships

Office of Fellowships works with students to match and apply for competitive awards and fellowships. They provide support and resources to guide students throughout the application process. They also maintain a database of fellowships.

TGS Nicholson Fellowship provides financial support for outstanding Northwestern graduate students enrolled in PhD programs in the sciences, engineering and management. Preference is given to applicants of Greek extraction or descent.

Presidential Fellowship  are students who promise to combine outstanding intellectual or creative ability with the capacity to play an important leadership role not only in the Society of Fellows, but also in their respective disciplines and beyond.  All Presidential Fellows participate in the Society of Fellows functions, including dinners at which Fellows present their work, an annual retreat, special events, and various other activities.

Ryan Fellowship supports graduate students dedicated to the exploration of fundamental nanoscale science and to advancing this knowledge into practical applications of benefit to society. 

External: 

Graduate Student Funding Opportunities(from JHU Fellowship office)

Open Grants open-repository for grant applications

Non-Citizen Fellowship List

Funding for independent postdoc fellowships in Biology (International)

Genetics Society of America (GSA) Science Policy Fellowship Database

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)

Gilliam Fellowships for Advanced Study

Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

Mayor’s Office Fellowship Program

Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fellowship

Health Policy Research Scholars

National GEM consortium Fellowship Program

NIH Loan Repayment Program

Blakemore Foundation Fellowships for Advanced Asian Language Study including STEM professionals

Cisco Global Problem Solver Challenge

CCST Science Fellows Program

 

Programming/Technical Skills:

Northwestern IT has several workshops covering a range of topics including R, Python, data visualization, SQL. There is a calender on their website for a schedule of their events.

Northwestern Library is offering a workshop in GIS.

Science Communication:

The Graduate School Professional Development tools

Skills & Careers in Science Writing is a program offered to Northwestern STEM+ PhD students to develop science writing and communication skills.

Research Communication Training Program at Northwestern focuses on important and basic components of scientific communication.

The SciComm Toolkit Podcast is a show for researchers and science communicators to get all the tools they need to communicate their science with confidence.

Yale Ciencia Academy for Professional Development is a free year-long program that equips biomedical or health sciences doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Northwestern Residential Services has graduate student housing near campus.

Northwestern Off-Campus Life has resources for students living in Evanston/Chicago, including your rights and responsibilties.

General Housing Websites:

Zillow

Apartments.com

Padmapper

Domu

Places4Students

ApartmentPeople