Illinois Tech Career Services
Turn Your Coursework Into Career Credentials
Industry-specific certifications, career accelerators, and professional skills integrated into your coursework. Direct pathways to in-demand careers while you complete your degree.
5
Active Pathways
$65K–$165K
Starting Salaries
For Credit
Options Available
18
Guaranteed Internship Fields
Pathway 01
NEW — FALL 2026 ELEVATE QUALIFYINGBRVN 200: Braven Career Success
Partnership with Braven
A 3-credit hybrid course that prepares sophomores and juniors to land strong jobs after college. Work in small teams of 5–8 students guided by a professional Leadership Coach. Build a professional portfolio, develop interview-ready skills, and complete a team-based capstone project with a real employer — all in one semester. This course qualifies as an Elevate requirement or optional experience and satisfies the career component for Chicago Difference and Hope Chicago scholars.
Course Structure:
Fall 2026 Sections Available:
What You’ll Gain:
Professional portfolio (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn) · Mock interview experience · Networking and team project skills · 1:1 Leadership Coach mentorship · Real employer capstone project · 3 academic credits · Find My Ikigai career discovery
After the Course:
Professional Mentors in your desired career field
Career Communities across STEM, Business, Arts & more
Biweekly Newsletter with internship & job referrals
Hiring Events with Braven employer partners
Ready-to-Launch bootcamp during senior year
Eligibility:
Who: Sophomores & Juniors
Major: No declared major required
Credits: 3 (counts toward GPA)
Offered: Fall semesters only
What Students Say:
“Braven helped me better understand how to present myself as a strong, purpose-driven candidate. I learned how to articulate my story in a way that highlights my strengths and values.” — AB Soneye, Spring 2024 Braven Fellow
“Braven pushed me out of my comfort zone to attend networking events and solidify my pitch. It made me confident in the applicant I was for an internship, fellowship, or when searching in the job market.” — Alanis Omar, Spring 2024 Braven Fellow
Pathway 02
FALL 2026 — APPLY BY JULY 12 ELEVATE QUALIFYINGVirtual Internships (VI)
Partnership with Virtual Internships
A guaranteed, remote, project-based internship in your chosen career field — placement guaranteed in one of 18 fields (IT, Business, Engineering, and more). Undergraduates can complete it for credit through BUS 495-07 (3 credits, includes a 6-week internship, fulfills free elective credits), or as a non-credit 8–10 week internship for a $200 program participation fee. Graduate students pay the $200 fee if selected. Internships are unpaid.
Two Ways to Enroll:
For credit: register for BUS 495-07 (CRN 16823) and apply for your internship during the first week of Fall classes (Aug 17) — do not use the apply link. Non-credit: apply through the Illinois Tech cohort link below and choose a start date.
Start Dates & Deadlines (Non-Credit):
What You’ll Gain:
Guaranteed placement in one of 18 career fields · Dedicated Internship Success Advisor · 1:1 coaching · Real, project-based, resume-ready experience · Global career exposure · 3 free elective credits (for-credit option)
Quick Facts:
Placement: Guaranteed, 18 fields
Format: Remote · Unpaid
Fee: $200 (non-credit only)
Support: Success Advisor + 1:1 coaching
Important: Apply only through the Illinois Tech cohort link above — not the main VI website — to be part of the sponsored cohort. Questions? Emily Ginger manages Virtual Internships.
Pathway 03
NOW AVAILABLEAWS Cloud Computing Pathway
Partnership with Amazon Web Services
Illinois Tech is a member of AWS Academy, preparing students for high-demand cloud computing careers. Gain industry-recognized certifications integrated into your coursework — from foundational Cloud Practitioner to advanced specialty credentials.
Certification Pathways:
What You’ll Gain:
Industry-recognized AWS certification preparation · Access to free AWS Academy learning resources and curriculum · Hands-on AWS Learner Lab access · Cloud architecture skills · AWS professional communities · Portfolio projects
Starting Salaries:
Cloud Engineer: $75K–$95K
Solutions Architect: $85K–$110K
DevOps Specialist: $80K–$100K
Security Engineer: $85K–$105K
Data/ML Engineer: $90K–$115K
Pathway 04
FALL 2026 OPENIllinois Tech Global Career Accelerator
Partnership with Podium Education
Add real-world experience to your resume for credit with access to an exclusive career network. Gain exposure with leading companies while earning 3 Illinois Tech credits in this semester-long experience.
Available Tracks:
What You’ll Gain:
Field experience from top companies (The Grammys, L’Oreal, Intel, OpenAI) · Industry tools (ChatGPT, Tableau, Shopify) · 3 Illinois Tech credits · Certifications · Early career network access
Impact:
95% of alumni report career benefits
84% said it made their degree more valuable
78% became more competitive candidates
10,000+ students helped level up
Pathway 05
NOW AVAILABLESalesforce Foundations
Partnership with Camp4 Consulting
Become highly skilled in the world’s #1 CRM platform through hands-on coursework and real-world projects. Gain Salesforce skills while earning academic credit and preparing for industry certifications.
What You’ll Gain:
Salesforce platform expertise · Industry-recognized certifications · Real-world project experience · Direct career pathway opportunities
Starting Salaries:
Account Executive: $90K avg
Solutions Engineer: $153K avg
Software Engineer: $164K avg
Business Dev Rep: $65K avg
Ready to Get Started?
elevate@illinoistech.edu · MTCC Suite 106 · 312.567.6800
