Undergraduate
Outside the Classroom

While academics are important, students will also develop many important skills outside of the classroom. These include leadership skills, cross-cultural experience, time-management skills, research experience, and job experience. Many of these experiences will help students develop and determine their future academic and career paths.

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Career Development

Engineering Career Development (ECD) focuses on enhancing each student’s unique career plan. ECD offers both students and employers a mutually beneficial means of connecting in the world beyond the classroom.

It also provides career preparation and employment assistance for cooperative education, internships, service learning, and first destinations after graduation.

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Northwestern Career Advancement

Some McCormick students utilize services at Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA). Students interested in non-technical and non-engineering positions should use UCS for assistance in finding internships and jobs.

NCA also provides information on graduate and professional schools.

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Research Opportunities

Research experience is an integral part of advanced undergraduate education, especially to students planning to enter graduate school. Conducting research allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world problems and can help students determine which technical electives are most relevant to their interests.

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Study Abroad & Global Initiatives

The career of an engineer will inevitably have international dimensions and be continually influenced by events and factors that transcend national boundaries.

In order to be effective in a global environment, McCormick urges its students to prepare to engage with the world as a whole, and to take advantage of the international programs offered by Northwestern.

Visit the Global Initiatives student opportunities page for additional links and resources.

McCormick students who are interested in applying to study abroad should contact Ashley Silverstein.

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Student Groups

Student groups provide an important opportunity for students to develop leadership skills and create opportunities to network with faculty, staff, and professionals in the field.

To get involved with a student group, reach out to the group directly or contact Assistant Dean Ellen Worsdall in the Office of Undergraduate Engineering, at e-worsdall@northwestern.edu.

View current undergraduate student groups

Browse Northwestern's directory of student organizations

How to Continue an Existing Group

Each year, current student organizations must register their group with Wildcat Connection to continue receiving recognition from McCormick. The Wildcat Connection renewal process has specific questions relevant to McCormick Student groups.

This policy was developed with support from members of the McCormick Student Advisory Board (MSAB) to provide documentation on the history of each of student organization.

How to Request Funding for a Student Group

Each quarter, student groups can apply for a McCormick Student Group Grant. Student groups will be notified of the availability of the grant by email and will be required to submit a grant proposal detailing how much money they are requesting and how it will be used.

A committee of McCormick staff and McCormick Student Advisory Board representatives review all of the grant proposals to determine the final award. Questions about the McCormick Student Group Grant can be sent to Vanessa Magallanes, Assistant Director of McCormick Student Experience.

How to Start a New Student Group

To create a new student group, review and complete the appropriate application form. There are two form types: one for design groups and another for departmental/special interest organizations.

Submit your completed form to Vanessa Magallanes in the Office of Undergraduate Engineering.

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Personal Development StudioLab

The Personal Development StudioLab helps student foster a love of connecting with others, growing in their own sense of self, and learning to live a curious life.

The curriculum is intended to shift each student's distinctive mindset, develop their intentions, and focus their attention, empowering them to access The C’s of the Self: curiosity, calm, clarity, compassion, courage, confidence, connection, and creativity.