News and Events

The Class of 2020 went from what was supposed to be the hottest job market in decades to the toughest one since the crash of 2008. Opportunities became more limited, companies rescinded offers due to cuts, and students began to adapt to a new virtual recruiting scene. That trend continued for the Class of 2021.

The College quickly pivoted to launch new initiatives designed to provide enhanced support for the Classes of 2020 and 2021 and equip them with the tools for success in our current employment landscape:

• Calling on the power of the Forester network, last spring the new Foresters CAREER Program matched 128 seniors with select alumni or trustees for video calls to provide them with support and career advice, and networking referrals when possible. In its second year, the Forester Network was even more responsive to the call for mentors. The Program matched 131 members of the Class of 2021 with more than 140 select alumni and trustees across the Career Pathways members of the Forester network.
• Through a new partnership with the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (LFGSM) and their Center for Leadership, the College funded two Professional Skills Badge courses for 120 graduates in June. Three virtual weekly sessions on Leadership Skills or Business Skills with LFGSM faculty culminated in a celebratory networking event in which participants received a digital badge that can be incorporated into their resume and LinkedIn profile. This program will launch again this summer for 2021 graduates and sessions will include themes of diversity, equity and inclusion; professional ethics; and adaptability.
• In late June, the College created a unique spin on the growing number of collegiate “micro-internship” programs in which students complete short-term projects with the Forester Micro-Mentorship Program. This innovative program emphasizes a mentoring component—mentors provide career advice as well as close guidance on a project that provides on-the-job experience.
• In July, the College began offering new on-demand webinar training through 4ProPlus/4MedPlus Professional Trainings and Certifications to provide technical training in Adobe Software, Database Technology, Health Care and Contact Tracing, and/or Programming Languages. Close to 100 Class of 2020 graduates took advantage of these courses last summer, and the Class of 2021 were able to complete courses over winter break and J-Term to add these skills to their resume prior to graduation.
• A special networking event on July 21—Hire a Forester: Class of 2020 Virtual Employer Mixer— capped off the summer programming. Graduates connected with and learned more about employers who were hiring as well as hiring trends across the Pathways.
• The January 2021 J-Term made it possible for many students to complete an academic internship that provided real-life work experiences and an opportunity to grow their professional network. The J-Term internships “were made possible through collaboration with our fantastic employer partners and the Forester Network and created an opportunity to provide additional support for both students and employers during January,” said Director for the Career Advancement Center Colleen Monks. “Through these immersive career experiences, students were given another chance before the start of spring semester to build their resumes, gain connections, and take steps toward their professional goals.”