Career & Vocational Exploration

Vocational Exploration

Have you ever asked yourself: What should I do when I grow up? How can I do something that makes a difference in the world? Am I choosing the right major? Am I being the best person for my family?

Helpful Tips for using our Career & Vocation Website to Explore: Once you land on the home page, take a minute and set yourself up to receive custom career content. This will give you a weekly newsletter filled with information based on your industry interests as well as any identified affinity group of your choosing. Even if all you do is sign up and commit to reading once a week, you will learn a ton about the world of work and future possibilities and opportunities.
  1. Explore Career Paths: Located at the top of the home page, clicking on the down arrow will provide you a list of industries to explore. Helpful resources, articles, featured jobs & internships are just a few options to look through. Be sure to look at Viking Connections to connect with alumni working in your field of interest and Videos to learn more about jobs that you might consider, but know little about. All of these can be found in the blue banner under the picture.
  2. Build Your Skills: Located at the top of the home page, clicking on the down arrow allows you to search and explore a variety of skill areas. From there, choose Explore Labor Markets to search specific career titles and explore core tasks and skills. Pay attention and take notes about what interests you and what doesn’t interest you. The notes you take will give good insight into interests, strengths, values & needs of the community. Other skills you can explore include job searches, post grad service, or grad school.
  3. Outcomes: Located at the top of the home page, this website feature allows you to look at graduate outcomes from the last four years by major. Looking at top employers and schools attended might give you a good starting point for exploring.

Setting up an exploration appointment through Handshake is a great way to talk with someone about your interests and figure out next steps. We look forward to working with you.

Career Resources for LGBTQIA+ Students

Navigating Your Career Journey as an LGBTQ+ Student: A Comprehensive Resource Guide

As a student or alum whose identities include Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Non-Binary, Gender Non-Conforming, Genderfluid, or Queer, you may encounter unique challenges and considerations during your job …

By Laura Kestner-Ricketts
Laura Kestner-Ricketts Executive Director, Career and Professional Development
Read more

Calling all International Vikings!

Cultural Orientation and Adjustment Workshop

We understand that transitioning to a new country can be both exhilarating and challenging. That’s why we’re here to offer valuable support and guidance through our Cultural Orientation and Adjustment Workshop.

This workshop is geared …

By Sumita Amrik
Sumita Amrik CORE Career Coach (S.T.E.M and Environment)
Read more

Sports Business Internship Grant Applications Now Open!

If you have a summer internship in sports, consider applying for the Matt and Mindy McSparin Sports Business Award! A generous stipend of approximately $2,000 will provide support for an unpaid internship for an aspiring student of any major to …

By Bobbie Tidball
Bobbie Tidball
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Viking Score: PREPARATION Signature Activity

Your Career Goal is a personal statement defining the specifics you wish to attain through work. This can refer to your goal for your first position after graduation, an internship, entrance to graduate or professional school, or a position after graduate or …

By Minh Nguyen
Minh Nguyen
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Grow Your Career This Spring With Forage

Spring break is the perfect time to level up your skills with Forage! 🌟 Whether you’re relaxing on the beach or enjoying some downtime at home, why not dive into virtual work simulations and prepare for your future career? 💼💻 #SpringBreakLearning #Forage 

By Minh Nguyen
Minh Nguyen
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Career Resources

Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students (REUs)

Research Experiences for Undergraduate Students or REUs for short are some of the most competitive in the nation and are …

Student Employment at Augustana College

All degree-seeking students enrolled at Augustana College at least half-time (4 credits) may apply to work on campus. Students are …

Labor Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Explore occupations by career categories and pathways and use real time labor market data to power your decision making.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Viking Connections

Daniel Allen

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Retired- Global Human Resources Director John Deere
Meet Daniel >

Morgan Anderson

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Quad Cities Metropolitan Area, Illinois
  • Geographer US Army Corps of Engineer
Meet Morgan >

Zubair Ansari

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Washington DC Baltimore Area
  • Executive Director Cancer Support Community - Washington, D.C.
Meet Zubair >

Sarah Bagley

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Glenview, Illinois
  • Human Resources Director Glenview Park District
Meet Sarah >

Marlisa Barrett

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Davenport, Iowa
  • Owner/Operator Swirl Wine Bar
Meet Marlisa >
Meet Alison >

Brittany Burk

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Champaign, Illinois
  • Speech-Language Pathologist Carle Foundation Hospital
Meet Brittany >

Leslie Carranza

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Stagehand Local 2
Meet Leslie >

Sarah Cermak

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Nashville, Tennessee
  • District Manager of Advocacy Centers Metro Nashville Public Schools
Meet Sarah >

Jenn Darby

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Iowa
  • Academic Advisor Eastern Iowa Community College
Meet Jenn >

Bryce Dibadj

Alumni, Community Experts
  • MD
  • Associate Veterinarian Pet+ER
Meet Bryce >

Dana Diedrick

Alumni, Community Experts
  • Chicago, Illinois
  • Assistant Vice President, Financial Systems Kemper
Meet Dana >

Contact & Location

Phone
309-794-7339
Address

Olin Center
639 38th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201

Career Service Hours

Day of the week
Office is Open Drop-Ins
Monday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 am- 4:30 pm 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.

Drop-in topics include:

  • Resume & Cover Letter Review
  • Resume & Cover Letter Writing
  • Viking Score Overview
  • LinkedIn Headshot Photo
  • Career Resources Overview