1. Career Services
  2. Huskie Career Launchpad

Huskie Career Launchpad

At NIU, we are here to help you learn in the classroom, and provide you with skills and experiences to help land the job you want.

Our Huskie Career Launchpad helps you grow your skills and talents, then showcase what you’ve done by earning digital badges to display on platforms like LinkedIn and discuss with future employers.

  • Keep track of what you're learning – whether it's research, involvement, internships or other experiences.
  • Get credit for attending career development events and working on your resume, cover letter and job-search skills.
  • Build a portfolio with all your work that you can use while you're at NIU and after you graduate. It's a great way to collect everything in one place, then show off your experience and impress future employers.

How It Works

You can earn points toward badges by participating in activities – engaging with Career Services, attending campus events, joining clubs or organizations, or participating in athletics. Different activities have different point values.

Keep track of everything in Suitable, a digital badging app, to get activity points and credit toward your badges. Completing digital badges gives you access to exclusive career events, graduation cords and more!

  • Download the Suitable iOS app or Android app or visit the website, then use your Z-ID@niu.edu email address to register and log in.
  • Find the experience that fits what you’ve done.
  • Answer a few reflection prompts.
  • Upload proof of completion – for example, an email from a supervisor.

Report Your Career Experiences

Report and reflect on your career experiences to earn your career and self-development badge:

  • Internships: Put your classroom skills to work in the real world.
  • Co-ops: Paid, full-time work tied to your major, often in engineering, healthcare, business or tech.
  • Clinical/Practicum: Supervised fieldwork in education, social work, counseling or healthcare.
  • Employment: Past or current, on-campus or off-campus, related or not related to your major.
  • Forage job simulations: Virtual projects from real companies you can complete from anywhere.
  • Job shadowing and short-term experiences: Quick, targeted ways to explore a career path.

Digital Badges

Huskie Career Launchpad digital badges include:

Career and Self-development

Level up your career and personal growth through continual learning while you're at NIU – whether it's picking up new skills, understanding what you're good at or where you can improve, keeping an eye on career opportunities, or building a solid network.

Leadership

Use your strengths and the strengths of others around you to accomplish your goals and team goals. The leadership skills you learn while at NIU will help you succeed and make positive impacts in your workplace and community.

Communication

As a Huskie, you gain skills to help you clearly share facts, ideas and opinions with people inside and outside of an organization. Being a skilled and effective communicator will benefit you, regardless of what field you choose.

Professionalism

Adapt and develop good work habits, knowing that every workplace is different, to act in a way that benefits the whole team. Establishing and growing your professional skills helps you succeed in the workforce.

Critical Thinking

Developing critical thinking skills during your time at NIU gives you a major advantage in the job market and your career. Employers value people who can analyze problems, make informed decisions and adapt to change. Critical thinkers stand out because they can solve challenges, learn quickly, lead effectively and explain their ideas with confidence – all of which are essential for career success in any field.

Teamwork

We offer programs and assistance to help you work well with others by building strong, team-focused relationships. Teamwork experience enables you to respect different opinions and share responsibilities, gaining you critical skills to succeed in your future workplace.

Equity and Inclusion

At NIU, we value being respectful and aware of different cultures, both locally and globally while making sure others are included and feel valued. The insights you will gain in this area during your time as a Huskie will help you make positive change in your community and beyond.

Technology

We are here to help you learn technology in a smart and responsible way to get things done more efficiently and accomplish your goals. Being skilled in and knowledgeable of current technology will give you an advantage when it comes time to find the right job after graduating.

Contact Us

Career Services
Peters Campus Life Building 220
815-753-1642
careerservices@niu.edu

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Schedule a student appointment