Alumni
Career Advancement
Advancing Your Impact in Education
At Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana, we support our alumni as they grow as leaders and pursue impactful roles throughout the education landscape. Our career advancement resources are here to help you take the next step whether that means deepening your impact, expanding your skill set, or exploring new leadership opportunities.
From school-based roles to policy, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and community.
Upcoming Events
The 5 R’s
How to Use This Framework
The 5 R’s are here to guide you through your career advancement journey whether you're exploring, preparing, or growing into new leadership. Each step includes curated resources and actions to help you move forward with clarity and support. Use the dropdowns to access tools for reflection, skill refinement, networking, application prep, and ongoing growth. You can move through them in order or start with the one that speaks most to where you are now.
1. Reflect
Before beginning a job search, it is critical to take the time to reflect on your growth, past accomplishments, strengths, and interests. This will allow you to better clarify your direction and desired future impact.
Resources
2020 Vanderbilt Career Center Created by Katharine Brooks and Grace J. Foy
This interactive workbook from Vanderbilt University uses quick, creative visual thinking exercises to help you clarify your goals, uncover new insights about yourself, and take the first step toward career clarity and confidence.
Career Pathways Brochure
This region-specific guide highlights key roles across education leadership, policy, and nonprofit sectors designed to help you explore advancement opportunities, deepen your impact, and take the next step in your career journey.
Gallup Strengthsfinder Assessment
Gallup’s CliftonStrengths is a research-backed self-assessment that helps you identify your top talents and understand how you naturally think, feel, and work—providing a strong foundation for self-reflection, personal growth, and more intentional career development.
Alumni can join a team-based Gallup Strengths workshop led by a certified Strengths Coach to receive a free CliftonStrengths code and discover their Top 5 strengths. Through collaborative activities and guided reflection, participants will learn how to harness their strengths for greater professional impact, self-awareness, and career growth.
Schedule Gallup Session
2. Refine
After spending time understanding what skills and experiences you’ve gained up to this point, it’s time to update your resume and craft materials in a way that articulates your impact and illuminates your value.
Resources
Download these tools to update your materials, sharpen your story, and prepare for next steps with clarity and confidence.
Strong resumes serve as a reflection of the value you’ve added and a preview of the impact you can make. Set aside some work time and utilize our resume best practices to ensure your resume clearly highlights a strong record of results, experiences, and aligned qualifications.
Interview Guide (in progress)
LinkedIn Guide (in progress)
Networking Guide (in progress)
3. Reach Out
Before applying for a role, consider soliciting feedback for your resume or other materials. Professional networking and engaging in career consultations can be other helpful guardrails.
Resources
Network with fellow alumni in the Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana Region and get access to shared career opportunities.
Regional LinkedIn Page
Stay in the loop on events, stories, and opportunities in the region.
Meet with a staff member from our alumni team to discuss your individual journey.
4. Role Application
With an up-to-date resume and knowledge to build a strong cover letter, you’re ready to begin applying. Tap into alumni-specific platforms and programs designed to support your job search, application prep, and career connections.
Resources
Unlock new career opportunities using our alumni-exclusive career networking platform, TFA Career Connect.
Free, virtual career development program brought to you by Indeed and Teach for America to help you excel in your job search.
5. Repeat
Ask Yourself
What am I learning about myself as I go through application processes? What am I learning about the job market and landscape?
Where are there opportunities to strengthen each step while honoring my job search journey?
Share a job or find your next opportunity through the alumni network.
Alumni
Looking to support fellow alumni or explore new opportunities? Join our alumni LinkedIn group to post open roles and browse positions shared by others in the regional network.
Employers
Hiring at your organization? Use our content submission form to share job openings—we’ll feature them in alumni-facing career communications and resources.