Career Readiness Initiative

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Career Readiness opportunities at Northwest University are designed to ensure undergraduate students learn professional and marketable skills that are applicable to their future vocation. These opportunities include taking Professional Readiness Courses, completing a major-related internship and an internship course, earning Professional Readiness Certificates, and utilizing the Career Services center on campus.

Professional Readiness Courses
These classes are one-credit courses that focus on teaching Professional Readiness Skills valuable for all majors. The courses are organized around Competency Groups, inspired by the NACE Career Readiness Competencies (National Association of Colleges and Employers), and are ‘sponsored’ by Colleges or Departments. Some examples of offered courses are Leadership, Job Search Skills, Networking, Christ in the Workplace, Grit, and Emotional Intelligence. The core curriculum requires students to earn one Professional Readiness credit. This credit requirement is waived for students who transfer 60 or more credits to NU; but all NU students are welcomed and encouraged to enroll in Professional Readiness courses to augment their learning.

Internship Requirement for Graduation
Every undergraduate major requires students to complete a one-semester internship. Students work closely with their major faculty and staff in the Career Services center to secure an internship with an organization that offers vocational experience. Most internships are three-credit and require 120-150 hours of dedicated work in the semester.

Professional Readiness Certificates
These certificates equip students with a tool to effectively communicate technical or professional skills they have learned to future employers. Every certificate requires the successful completion of three specific courses. Upon review and approval, some transfer courses may count toward certificates.

Professional Readiness Certificates 

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