EPICS Events
EPICS and our SoC partners offer in-person and virtual events throughout the academic year. Attend a workshop, masterclass, alumni/industry speaker or networking event, or alumni panel to refine your professional skills, acquire new knowledge and expertise, and explore career paths of interest. These events are tailored to boost your career development, help you learn about industries, and broaden your professional network.
Upcoming Events
You will find EPICS upcoming events for School of Communication in the calendar feed. Employers and friends of Northwestern can view all events open to the public on the University’s main calendar, PlanIt Purple.
Workshops
A workshop is an organized event or series of sessions designed to help students with their career development. These workshops typically focus on various aspects of career planning and advancement including networking, internship/job search strategies, interviewing, career planning, and resume and cover letter writing.
Masterclasses
A masterclass is a session led by someone who has an expert knowledge or skill in a particular area. Every masterclass has an aim or goal that students will learn or complete by the end of the session.
Industry Connect
The Northwestern community stretches far and wide. With EPICS’ Industry Connect evenings, students can see the direction their Northwestern degree can take them. Experienced alumni and professionals discuss their industry, career path, and offer advice to students in a speed networking format. Each Industry Connect event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with our Career Communities.
Life After NU
This panel series is for students to learn from young alumni about the transition from school to industry. The goal is for our current students to hear from young professionals about their immediate steps after Northwestern and recent steps in their career. Each Life After NU event is focused on a specific industry area that aligns with our Career Communities.
Alumni/Industry Speaker Events
Speaker events are an opportunity to hear directly from an experienced and accomplished alum and/or industry professional and often include a Q&A. They provide an opportunity for students to hear from industry leaders who share about their insight and experience and offer valuable advice.
Program-Specific Events
EPICS partners with our graduate level programs in MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage, MS in Communication, and MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises to host events specifically for graduate students.
Upcoming Events
- Oct152024
SoC | EPICS: Industry Connect: Marketing, Advertising, & PR
6:00 PM
601 University Place, Evanston, IL 60208Join alumni & professionals from the marketing, advertising, and public relations industry for a night of networking and industry insights. During the event, you will have the opportunity to connect with each of the guests in small groups to learn about their experience and hear advice on getting started in the marketing, advertising, and public relations industry.
Light appetizers and refreshments will be served.
Industry Professionals in attendance will be:
Ashley Falcon | Program Manager at Meta
Margauz Pepper | SVP, Strategic Planning at Weber Shandwick
Scotty Stieber | Account Supervisor, Corporate Reputation at Praytell
More guests to be announced!The event is open to all SoC students! Hosted by EPICS.
- Oct172024
SoC | EPICS: Industry Days @ Chicago International Film Festival
5:00 PM
EPICS is pleased to partner once again with the Chicago International Film Festival by offering a limited number of complimentary passes to all aspects of the 2024 edition of INDUSTRY DAYS at the 60th Chicago International Film Festival. Industry Days runs from October 17-20 in downtown Chicago. The primary day for Northwestern student attendance is Friday, October 18.
Industry Days is the Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and industry professionals to connect, share ideas, and be inspired. Meet with executives, agents, and producers in the Decision-Maker Roundtables, informative panel conversations, master classes, networking events, and more.
Please note that the Industry Days Passes DO NOT include access to any Festival Screenings, only to Industry Days programming. If schedules allow, Northwestern students who attend Industry Days may have the opportunity to connect with the festival organizers and staff between panels and presentations.
More information and schedule can be found at: https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/festival/industry-days/
Since its inception, Industry Days has hosted an impressive lineup of film executives, entertainment professionals, and major talents, including Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen, Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan; Oscar-nominated composer Terence Blanchard; producers Dede Gardner, Ted Hope, Gigi Pritzker, James D. Stern, and MACRO CEO Charles D. King; and veteran distribution executives Michael Barker, Richard Lorber, and Tom Quinn. Representatives from the following companies have attended panels and talks: Cinetic Media, CAA, Gravitas Ventures, IFC Films, Kartemquin Films, Kickstarter, Icarus Films, Magnolia Pictures, MPI Media, Music Box Films, Netflix, Neon, The Orchard, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Preferred Content, the United Talent Agency, and William Morris Endeavor.
Open to all SoC students
- Oct212024
SoC | EPICS: Your Career Materials
2:00 PM
1877 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Do you already have a great creative resume, but are wondering how to tailor your experience to a new role? Are you wondering what the difference is between a resume and CV? Wondering what other materials you need for your career?
Bring your current resume or start fresh with a blank page. EPICS will walk you through best practices for standing out in a hiring pool and editing your resume to your desired industry.
In this workshop, we will breakout into groups where you’ll polish or create your resume. At the end of the working session, you'll be armed with the tools and knowledge to continue tailoring your career materials for success in your job search.
Open to all SoC graduate students enrolled in the following programs: MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
MS in Communication, MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. - Oct222024
SoC | EPICS: Your Career Materials
12:30 PM
2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Do you already have a great creative resume, but are wondering how to tailor your experience to a new role? Are you wondering what the difference is between a resume and CV? Wondering what other materials you need for your career?
Bring your current resume or start fresh with a blank page. EPICS will walk you through best practices for standing out in a hiring pool and editing your resume to your desired industry.
In this workshop, we will breakout into groups where you’ll polish or create your resume. At the end of the working session, you'll be armed with the tools and knowledge to continue tailoring your career materials for success in your job search.
Open to all SoC graduate students enrolled in the following programs: MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
MS in Communication, MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. - Oct242024
SoC I EPICS: Internship Search Strategies
12:00 PM
2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Internship and job searching can be an overwhelming process, but the right strategy can make it easier and help you land the opportunity you want. We will focus on the summer internship search and you will leave the workshop with individualized next steps.
- Oct292024
SoC I EPICS: Connect with We Are Moving the Needle
12:00 PM
Join us for an engaging session to connect with We Are Moving The Needle, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting all women professionals in the recording industry, including audio engineers and producers.
Please note this conversation is virtual.
- Nov042024
SoC | EPICS: Your Connections + Story
2:00 PM
1877 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208This session will help you learn key strategies to building your connections (network) and tell your story (create a pitch/professional value proposition) to market yourself.
We will explore online professional networks such as LinkedIn and engage in dialogue focused on live networking events and opportunities. Tools, techniques, and recommended best practices for both settings will be shared and utilized in hands-on exercises as part of this session. Through these best practices and tools, you'll learn how to hear about not-yet-posted opportunities and position yourself to be front of mind for hiring managers and decision-makers.
Open to all SoC graduate students enrolled in the following programs: MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
MS in Communication, MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. - Nov052024
SoC | EPICS: Your Connections + Story
12:30 PM
2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208This session will help you learn key strategies to building your connections (network) and tell your story (create a pitch/professional value proposition) to market yourself.
We will explore online professional networks such as LinkedIn and engage in dialogue focused on live networking events and opportunities. Tools, techniques, and recommended best practices for both settings will be shared and utilized in hands-on exercises as part of this session. Through these best practices and tools, you'll learn how to hear about not-yet-posted opportunities and position yourself to be front of mind for hiring managers and decision-makers.
Open to all SoC graduate students enrolled in the following programs: MA in Sound Arts and Industries, MFA in Documentary Media, MFA in Writing for the Screen and Stage
MS in Communication, MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises.