Transfer Students
We’re glad you’re here! You make the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign a more dynamic and enriching community. You bring valuable strengths to the University and to the workplace—resilience, adaptability, the ability to connect with diverse people.
At the same time, you may encounter unique challenges in your career planning and job search. With less time at the University, it can feel harder to explore options or build connections, and you might wonder how to best represent your experiences from your previous school on applications and in interviews.
Below are recommendations to help you explore resources, clarify your options, and make the most of the opportunities available to you.
Make the most of your time at U of I
Use the many campus resources available to you
The University offers a variety of offices to help you succeed. The Career Center serves all majors and class levels, and there are also specialized career offices embedded within many academic units that serve students in their majors. Take advantage of both throughout your time here.
Handshake is another key resource to get familiar with early. Your Handshake account has already been set up for you—just activate it and log in like other campus systems. It’s your central hub for job and internship postings, career fairs, employer visits, networking events, and workshops.
Be proactive and get an early start
There’s no such thing as too early—or too late—to use our services. Since your time on campus may be shorter than other U of I students, we recommend getting to know us as soon as step on campus. We’re happy to help you search for permanent work after graduation, but you don’t need to wait until then. We also assist students looking for internships, on-campus positions, or part-time work. Even if you’re not actively searching, planning ahead or exploring your major and career options are great reasons to connect with us.
Leverage campus events
When students think of career-related campus events, career fairs are often what first comes to mind. The University holds many career fairs in the fall and spring—some in-person and some virtual. Many are hosted by a particular college, but students of all majors and class level are welcome to attend. Handshake’s events calendar provides details on which employers will be attending, allowing you to learn more about their organizations and the positions they’re looking to fill The Career Center also offers workshops on career fair preparation to help you understand how fairs work at Illinois and how to prepare effectively.
Career Events | The Career Center | UIUC
Have you attended career fairs at your previous institution? You can use that experience to your advantage and highlight it to make yourself a competitive, experienced applicant.
Beyond fairs, engage with other events as well. Even outside of fair season, employers host information sessions, networking events, and other opportunities. The Career Center and other campus career offices offer a variety of workshops and events throughout the year, and the Handshake events calendar is a centralized place to find them.
More Tips for Transfer Students
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign may be larger than your previous institution, and that brings advantages. You’ll find a wide range of opportunities to gain experience, explore options, and build skills:
- Pursue an internship
- Explore job shadowing opportunities
- Conduct informational interviews
- Join a Registered Student Organization (RSO)
- Volunteer on campus or in the community
- Check the Virtual Job Board for on-campus jobs
- Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research website for research opportunities
- Make an appointment with a career coach at The Career Center or the career office associated with your school, college, or department
Find other transfer students on campus to build community and expand your network. You may also discover ways to give back and help the next group of transfer students.
Illini Transfer Ambassador (ITA) | New Student & Family Experiences | UIUC
Leverage your strengths as you tell your story
Should I list my previous school or degree on my resume, cover letter, or application?
The best approach is up to you. If you transferred courses but want to focus on your time at the U. of I. you can choose to list only Illinois on your resume. However, if you earned a credential (such as an associate’s degree) or gained valuable experience through campus clubs, part-time work, or other activities at your previous institution, you may want to include them. Highlight the skills you built, accomplishments you achieved, and knowledge you gained. If specific coursework from your previous school relates to what you’re applying for, that can be worth including too.
Own and highlight how being a transfer student has prepared you for your future
Being a transfer student is valuable experience that shows you are proficient and employable. Employers want to know about you—so leverage your unique skills and growth as part of your professional story in your resume, cover letter, interviews, and networking conversations. Consider framing your transfer experience to show your adaptability, resilience, ability to connect with others, and use of time wisely. These are just examples—focus on the strengths and experiences that feel most true to you.