students and professionals at speed networking

Career Advancement

Your career starts here

Whatever you plan, whatever you dream, we’re here to help you make it happen. Our nationally recognized Gorter Career Advancement Center equips you with the skills and experience to take your next steps with confidence.

Find out how 97 percent of our graduates find their place.

As a college student, having access to career preparation is the difference between finding a career and finding a great career that works for your passions and interests. Foresters go into the world with confidence, with 97 percent of the Class of 2025 landing a career or graduate placement within six months of graduation. 

12.5
#14 BEST
Career Services The Princeton Review
400+
Alumni and other Professionals attend career programs annually

The Forester Advantage

All Foresters graduate with a distinctive advantage that uniquely prepares them for the future of work: the combination of liberal arts learning with essential career competencies, technical fluency, and real world experience.

people shaking hands at a networking event

Essential career competencies

Develop the human qualities and adaptability that employers are seeking—now and in the future.

  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Critical thinking
  • Creativity
  • Ability to understand multiple perspectives
student on laptop

Technical skills for tomorrow

Stand out as a well-rounded candidate. Pair passions with technical skills with a double major or minors.

  • Courses and minor in AI preparing you to lead ethically in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence
  • Programs in health professions, data science, new media, and other in-demand fields
group of students in nature in a class

Real-world experience

Go beyond the summer internship. Earn credit for up to three internships through our guided class in any semester—including fall and spring.

  • Internships in and around Chicago (and beyond)
  • Research fellowships
  • Applied learning in the classroom
  • Senior theses and capstone projects
Martino Moore
In my workplace a liberal arts education separates Lake Forest College graduates from everyone else. They have the competence and confidence that allows them to connect with our institutional investors in multiple areas, not just finance. Those commonalities drive business and make Lake Forest College students more valuable employees.
Martino Moore '99
Executive Director
Morgan Stanley
student and career counselor talking and smiling

We’re here to help every step of the way.

The Gorter Family Career Advancement Center (CAC) is here to support you and help you strategize everything career related.

  • Individualized support from your career advisor
  • Cutting-edge resume, interview, and job search training
  • Access to Handshake, a platform with nearly 1 million employers
  • Financial support for unpaid internships
  • Structured “Career Milestones” program

Meet Our Staff

students walking in Chicago

Being close to a big city means being close to big opportunities

Chicago has been ranked the best big city in United States for nine years in a row. With internships, job opportunities, museums, food, and more, Lake Forest College students get to make the most of being near the Chicago no matter their area of study.

Read more

Building your career community

You're going to college to open doors. We're here to help you find the ones that lead to your goals. The Gorter Family Career Advancement Center (CAC) is dedicated to connecting you to the opportunities that resonate with your goals and make you an outstanding graduate. 

Alumni and employer network

The people you meet can help you connect to the opportunities you strive for. The CAC helps you build the community that helps you make your career.

  • Personalized mentoring and networking connections from the 400+ professionals who participate in our distinctive career events annually
  • A dedicated alumni community passionate about your success and eager to give industry insights and referrals
  • Exclusive access to jobs and internships through our employer partners in Chicago and beyond

Career Pathways Program

The Career Pathways Program places you in a network of fellow students, alumni, and other professionals who will provide you with industry insight and help you land meaningful jobs. 

Explore five distinctive career communities: 

someone working on a laptop computer

Preparing college students for an AI-powered future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future. Here's how we're preparing our students to succeed in a rapidly changing world. 

Read more

Career Resources for Current Students

We help our students gain the skills and experiences they need to pursue their passions. Through the CAC, students can access these resources and more: 

Willow Poppleton
Lake Forest College takes career preparation seriously from the start, pairing students early with a dedicated career advisor who helps guide their professional journey. Signature events like Speed Networking, Career-A-Palooza, the Forester Game Plan, and many others offer hands-on experiences that truly make a difference. These events aren't just informative, they’re empowering. Students build confidence, refine interview skills, strengthen their resumes, and connect with alumni and employers in meaningful ways. With personalized support and real-world exposure, Lake Forest helps students step confidently toward their future.
Willow Poppleton ’26 – communication major

Contact Information

Gorter Family Career Advancement Center

256 Brown Hall, Middle Campus
847-735-5235
careers@lakeforest.edu

Hours

Academic Year: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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