Career Forward Certificate Program

Are you ready to move your career forward?

The Career Forward Certificate Program is designed for KU Business students actively seeking an internship or full-time position to receive intentional and interactive experiences in career development and readiness. Students invited to join the program will join a small cohort of their peers and receive peer-to-peer support and guidance while diving into topics related to:

  • Resumes – Learn how to craft a compelling resume that stands out
  • Career Fair Etiquette – Master the nuances of making an impression at a career fair
  • LinkedIn – Optimize a LinkedIn profile for networking and job strategies
  • Professional Image – Elevate your professional image to align with career aspirations
  • Career Growth Tools – Discover tools and resources for continuous career growth
  • Interviewing – Gain insights into acing interviews with confidence
  • Offers and Negotiations – Navigate the complexities of job offers and negotiations effectively

This seven-week, in-person program is structured to meet bi-weekly, accommodating students' busy schedules. Each session is an interactive, hands-on workshop focused on critical aspects of career development and readiness. Each workshop is led by our Career Forward Leads, industry professionals actively hiring for their organizations and representatives from the Business Professional Development Program. This unique blend of leaders brings real-world insights, trends and opportunities directly to students.

Important deadlines

  • Program applications for the fall semester are closed. They will reopen the first week of the spring semester.

Looking to get involved?

Participants

Students must complete the seven-week certificate program to earn the certificate and receive 50 professional development points.

Career Forward Lead

Interested students can become a Career Forward Lead after completing the program. To be a lead, students must attend a mandatory training and be able to present to small groups. Selected students will earn 20professional development points.

Employer guest speakers

We are always looking for how to get employers involved in this program, whether that be at a special networking event or as a speaker for one of the sessions. If interested, please reach out to Cicily Corder at cscorder@ku.edu for more information.

Previous speakers include:

  • Atlas Copco Group
  • Forvis Mazars
  • KPMG
  • Renaissance Financial
  • Southwest Airlines
  • Truity Credit Union
  • VidMob

Contact

Tithi Vipulbhai Patel

"The Career Forward Certificate Program gave me the confidence and skills I needed to transition smoothly from college to my career. It enhanced my resume, improved my interview skills, and opened doors to career opportunities I hadn't considered before. It was a game-changer for my professional journey."

Tithi Vipulbhai Patel
Finance and accounting double-major