Life After Graduation  

A survey shows that approximately half of entering freshman chose Northern because "Northern grads get good jobs."  Maybe that's because Northern offers a location in the middle of one of the world's most dynamic employment markets and a vast network of alumni who actively recruit fellow graduates.  Maybe its because Northern ranks first among all Illinois schools for cooperative education/internship placements or because Northern hosts the largest campus-based job fair in the Midwest.  Whatever the reason, its true that NIU Works!

Career Planning and Placement                                                 Co-Op Education/Internship Program                                        Alumni Association                                                                Graduation Rates and Times to Degree

Notable Alumni:

J. Dennis Hastert (M.S. Ed. Leadership and Educational Policy Studies, 1967) became the nation's third highest ranking political figure in 1999 as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.

Melissa Barrington (B.S. Meteorology, 1993) is an on-camera meteorologist at The Weather Channel.  Barrington's forecast can be seen on The Weather Channel Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST) and on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Steve Harris (B.A. Theatre Arts, 1989) plays the imposing Boston lawyer Eugene Young in The Practice, an Emmy and Golden Globe winning ABC TV courthouse drama.  While an NIU student, Harris was a member of the Huskie football team.

Joan Allen (B.A. Theatre Arts, 1989) is a three-time Academy Award nominee.  Her recent credits include Pleasantville and The Contender.