Center’s grand opening leads week-long celebration of student success, student outcomes
CHARLESTON, IL (10/06/2026) Eastern Illinois University began a week-long celebration of student success and career preparation following a Career Services Life Design Studio Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony yesterday. The October 5 celebration follows EIU’s Career Services primary office relocation in summer 2026 to Room 3065 on the third floor of the University Union on EIU’s main campus in Charleston, Illinois.
Students, employees and community members were invited to celebrate the opening of the new Life Design Studio, located on the first floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union. The grand opening’s ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opened the new space, which provides students with a welcoming, creative area to explore career possibilities, prepare for professional opportunities and take action toward their futures. Students can use the center for assistance with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles and Handshake profiles, or use the space to study, relax and connect. Designed to make career exploration inviting and approachable, the Studio includes career resources, coloring books, puzzles and other resource materials students can use to create vision boards and explore their goals.
The opening of the Life Design Studio launched a week of Career Services programming focused on helping students design their futures, build confidence and connect with employers. Career Week at EIU continues Tuesday, Oct. 6, with the “Your Story. Your Future. Your Resume.” workshop from 5 to 6 p.m. in Booth Library Room 4450. The workshop will help students turn their experiences, skills and accomplishments into resumes that effectively communicate what they can offer prospective employers. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, students can prepare for the Fall Job & Internship Fair during a Job Fair Prep Workshop from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Life Design Studio. The workshop will cover preparing an introduction and elevator pitch, researching employers, talking with recruiters, professional dress, making the most of the fair and following up with employers. Career Week will culminate Thursday, Oct. 8, with the Fall Job & Internship Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the MLK Jr. Union. The fair will give EIU students and alumni an opportunity to meet employers, explore career opportunities and learn about available jobs and internships. Free professional headshots will also be available.
The week’s events are intended for students at every stage of the career process, whether they are beginning to explore career possibilities, preparing for an internship or job, building professional materials or actively seeking their next opportunity.
“Career Services is here to help students explore their options, discover their possibilities and design their futures,” said EIU Director of Career Services Bobbi Kingery. “Our students and alumni have much to contribute, including excellent academic preparation, a strong work ethic and a desire to be successful.”
EIU’s Career Services is committed to providing innovative centralized career development and experiential learning services to students and alumni that enrich their academic experiences to produce an educated, individually responsible, open-minded and ethical career force for the State of Illinois and the larger global society.
For additional information on upcoming EIU events, visit the EIU Events Calendar.
##
EIU prepares students to accomplish their life goals through a combination of quality academics, personal relationships, and both on-campus and online learning opportunities. For more information about Eastern Illinois University, including its broad array of academic and career readiness programs, community-based services and opportunities, visit eiu.edu or call EIU’s Public Information Office at (217) 581-7400.