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Take your next step at Career-A-Palooza, a choose-your-own career adventure event! 

✨ Pick your favorite sessions to practice professional skills and get real advice, whether you are getting started applying for a job or internship or are figuring out what you want to do after graduation.

 Games, photo booths, snacks, and more: The doors open at 5:15p.m. in Lillard Science Center's lower level with festival snacks, games, giveaways, a photo booth, and more! Get your professional profile photo taken for LinkedIn at our Forester Career Closet pop-up as well as strike a pose with a fun Career-A-Palooza-themed photo booth.

 Win prizes by attending! At each session you could WIN Forester swag and other great prizes! The more sessions you attend, the more entries you earn for the Career-A-Palooza Raffle at the end of the night.

Arrive by 5:30p.m. if you want to get food before the 6p.m. keynote.

Register on Handshake for each session you are interested in:

• 🎤 Build Your Brand, Shape Your Future | 6-6:40p.m., McCormick Auditorium: Learn how to identify what makes you stand out and how to turn it into a personal brand that supports your career goals! This interactive workshop features senior global business executive and Lake Forest Graduate School of Management faculty member, Larry Brand, MBA. We will explore why your personal brand matters and how it helps you show employers who you are and what you bring to the table. Come away with practical tools to discover your attributes, communicate and live your brand, and start building a personal mission statement that reflects your values, goals, and the impact you want to make.

• 🔓 Unlock Your Forester Advantage: Personal Branding for the Future of Work | Your personal brand is one of the most powerful tools you have as you prepare for internships, jobs, and life after Lake Forest. Deep dive in this follow-up session with Larry Brand, MBA and learn how to leverage your Forester Advantage to shape a brand that stands out. Learn how to craft and communicate a compelling elevator pitch for interviews, networking conversations, and online. Plus, discover how to make your digital footprint work for you: what employers look for on LinkedIn, how to keep your profile optimized, and the do’s and don’ts of building a professional online presence. Leave with the tools to confidently position yourself to thrive in the future of work.

• 🔎 Cracking the Code: A Career Self-Discovery Workshop | Whether you are exploring your options or simply unsure where to start, this workshop was made for you. The best career decisions start from the inside out. Join us for an interactive workshop where you will dig into who you really are, uncover your core values, interests, personality traits, and skills, and connect your unique VIPS profile to real career possibilities. You’ll leave with a clearer sense of who you are and where you could go next.

• 🏅"This or That": Turning the Forester Advantage into Interview Gold | Ready to stand out and land the offer? Practice translating your Forester Advantage into interview gold, while learning how to thoughtfully leverage AI in your preparation. Through guided reflection, “This or That” challenges, and realistic interview simulations, you’ll strengthen your storytelling skills in a supportive environment. We'll explore how AI can enhance your prep—brainstorming examples, identifying skill gaps, and practicing mock interviews—while also learning when not to rely on it and how to confidently articulate your responsible use of AI to employers.
• 🎮 Level Up Your Networking: From First Hellos to Professional Relationships | Think networking feels awkward or intimidating? You’re not alone! In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to turn small talk into real, meaningful conversations that can open doors for internships and jobs. We’ll cover both the basics—like how to introduce yourself and keep the conversation going—and advanced tips for following up and building lasting professional relationships. Through real-world examples, and fun practice activities, you’ll leave feeling more confident, prepared, and ready to make connections that count.
• 👑 Reclaiming Your Story in the AI Generation: Advanced Resumes and Cover Letters | Refresh your approach to resume building in this competitive market. Learn how to capitalize on the current skills-based hiring trend and how to discuss AI use in your resume. We will also discuss ways of highlighting your soft skills and interpersonal attributes in application materials. This session aims to help you strategize how to make your application stand out as human-centered and uniquely YOU in a sea of AI generated content.