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 the 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 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
- Sep222026
SoC Picnic
12:30 PM
1920 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208SoC students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the SoC Picnic on the lawn outside of Annie May Swift Hall!
- Sep292026
SoC I EPICS: Graduate Mix & Mingle
5:30 PM
1881 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208Join us for a happy hour during the second week of classes!
Meet the EPICS team and your fellow SoC graduate students in MA Sound, MFA in Writing, MFA in Doc Media, MSC, and MSLCE as we welcome you to a new year!
Get connected to other graduate level students in the School of Communication and try out your networking skills! Networking is making connections with other people and sharing information – in other words, it’s building relationships!
Appetizers and drinks will be served. Drink tickets for beer/wine will be provided.
- Oct122026
SoC I EPICS: Industry Connect - Entertainment & Media
5:30 PM
1949 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Connect with experienced alumni and professionals from the entertainment and media industry for an evening of networking. Meet in small groups, hear their experiences, and get career advice.
- Oct152026
SoC I EPICS: Inside the Writers Room with Shae Worthy (Disney+'s Percy Jackson)
5:00 PM
2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Join us as alumni, Shae Worthy, hosts a unique and interactive 2-day workshop focused on what it's like to be staffed as a writer in Hollywood. This workshop demystifies the actual work of being a writer on a television show, from interviewing (different from your standard job interview) to setting yourself up for success once you've landed a seat in your first room — How to pitch story ideas that are sticky. How to write like it's a team sport. How to set yourself up to be welcomed back for another season.
- Oct162026
SoC I EPICS: Industry Days at The Chicago International Film Festival
9:00 AM
EPICS is pleased to partner once again with the Chicago International Film Festival by offering a limited number of student tickets to the 2026 edition of INDUSTRY DAYS at the Chicago International Film Festival. Industry Days runs from October 15 -18, 2026. The primary day for Northwestern student attendance is Friday, October 17.
To secure your EPICS-sponsored spot, fill out the interest form by Sunday, September 28: Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Industry Days 2026 Interest Form – Fill out form
Industry Days is the Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and industry professionals to connect, share ideas, and be inspired. - Oct162026
SoC I EPICS: Inside the Writers Room with Shae Worthy (Disney+'s Percy Jackson)
9:00 AM
2240 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Join us as alumni, Shae Worthy, hosts a unique and interactive 2-day workshop focused on what it's like to be staffed as a writer in Hollywood. This workshop demystifies the actual work of being a writer on a television show, from interviewing (different from your standard job interview) to setting yourself up for success once you've landed a seat in your first room — How to pitch story ideas that are sticky. How to write like it's a team sport. How to set yourself up to be welcomed back for another season.
- Oct162026
SoC I EPICS: Masterclass with Documentary Filmmaker Kimberly Reed
11:00 AM
1920 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208Interactive masterclass with award winning documentary filmmaker Kimberly Reed.
- Oct172026
SoC I EPICS: Industry Days at The Chicago International Film Festival
9:00 AM
EPICS is pleased to partner once again with the Chicago International Film Festival by offering a limited number of student tickets to the 2026 edition of INDUSTRY DAYS at the Chicago International Film Festival. Industry Days runs from October 15 -18, 2026. The primary day for Northwestern student attendance is Friday, October 17.
To secure your EPICS-sponsored spot, fill out the interest form by Sunday, September 28: Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Industry Days 2026 Interest Form – Fill out form
Industry Days is the Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and industry professionals to connect, share ideas, and be inspired. - Oct182026
SoC I EPICS: Industry Days at The Chicago International Film Festival
9:00 AM
EPICS is pleased to partner once again with the Chicago International Film Festival by offering a limited number of student tickets to the 2026 edition of INDUSTRY DAYS at the Chicago International Film Festival. Industry Days runs from October 15 -18, 2026. The primary day for Northwestern student attendance is Friday, October 17.
To secure your EPICS-sponsored spot, fill out the interest form by Sunday, September 28: Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) Industry Days 2026 Interest Form – Fill out form
Industry Days is the Chicago International Film Festival’s hub for filmmakers and industry professionals to connect, share ideas, and be inspired. - Oct262026
SoC I EPICS: Industry Connect - Arts, Culture, & Nonprofit
5:30 PM
601 University Place, Evanston, IL 60208Connect with experienced alumni and professionals from the arts, culture, & nonprofit sectors for an evening of networking. Meet in small groups, hear their experiences, and get career advice.