Career Services and Career XPO

The Illinois School of Architecture, Department of Landscape Architecture, and the Department of Urban and Regional Planning are proud to host the Career XPO

Spring 2026 Career XPO: Thursday, February 19, 2026, IHotel, Champaign IL

Employer Information

The Illinois School of Architecture proudly welcomes students from around the world, making our graduate student body one of the most diverse in the nation. Each year, more than 70% of our graduate students are international, pursuing the STEM-designated Professional Master of Architecture (M.Arch) degree. Our graduate students bring with them strong backgrounds in professional practice, design, project management, and related fields equipping them with the skills to contribute meaningfully to your organization from day one.

Students in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning (DURP) are diverse in their interests, professional goals, identities, and places of origin. Graduates of both the BAUSP and MUP programs have experience with GIS, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign, public speaking, professional writing, data analysis, and other skills. Our students pursue employment in fields ranging from urban design to community engagement to land use and transportation planning to economic development and beyond. Both domestic and international graduates look for jobs in the Midwest, around the country, and abroad.

Students in the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Illinois are among the most accomplished and well-prepared emerging professionals in the field. Our accredited undergraduate and graduate programs are consistently recognized for academic rigor, design excellence, and innovation. Through studio-based learning, community-engaged projects, and hands-on professional experiences, students develop strong design, technical, and problem-solving skills that position them to thrive in practice. With a foundation that blends creativity, ecological awareness, and real-world application, our students are prepared to be exceptional contributors—and future leaders—in landscape architecture.

Because all of our graduate programs are STEM designated, international graduates are eligible to work in the United States for up to three years through Optional Practical Training (OPT), without requiring employer visa sponsorship. Employers may hire our graduates immediately, with no additional visa process. After three years of full-time employment, continued work would require visa sponsorship.

By hiring our graduates, you gain access to top-tier architectural talent—diverse, globally experienced, and ready to contribute to the profession.

We understand that not every firm is able to support student visa sponsorship immediately. Nonetheless, every firm will be able to hire one of our students upon graduation.  We hope your firm will consider this.

We recommend that you carefully read the registration information located in the downloadable PDF at the bottom of this page. This will be posted by 12/1/2025.

Exhibit Space Information

• Your firm will have a 6’ x 3’ table available for your display. We will make every attempt to honor your pin-up and electrical requests.
• If you plan to bring a display larger than this space, please let us know.
• Pin-up is limited, so you may want to consider bringing alternatives such as tripods.
• You should NOT leave valuables unattended at your booth or in the building.

Equipment Provided

• Each company receives one 6’x3’ table and two chairs per table, plus an electrical outlet at each table.
• Wireless Internet is provided at the Hilton Garden Inn.
• On Professional Interview Day, participating firms will be assigned an individual interview space at Temple Hoyne Buell Hall, which will have a table and chairs. Students will come at their scheduled interview times.

Cancellations

Please be aware that the latest possible date to notify us of a cancellation and receive a full refund is January 14, 2026. If we are notified after this date, payment will not be refunded.

Hotel Information

I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center – 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820 (217-819-5000)

A proliferation of activities in Urbana-Champaign is producing a high demand for hotel rooms.  You are encouraged to book your room(s) early.

Travel Information

FLYING

Local airport is Willard Airport (CMI). It is approximately a 10 minute drive to the Hilton Garden Inn, or your hotel. Shuttle service is available from your hotel. Please phone the hotel directly ahead of time to reserve your seat.

DRIVING

If driving to Champaign-Urbana, find directions at: https://parking.illinois.edu/maps/directions-campus. A map and legend of the Illinois campus may be found at that site.

PARKING

Parking is available at the IHotel. The Illinois School of Architecture and the Career XPO are not responsible for tickets or towed vehicles.

Shipping Guidelines

In the event you choose to ship your display materials, please use the following address.  We ask that you please arrange for shipping to arrive no earlier than Monday, February 16, 2026. Please clearly mark in bold red type all items with your company name, the dates(s) you will be attending, and ‘CAREER XPO 2026.’ All items should be addressed as follows:

Illinois School of Architecture Career XPO 2026, <Your Firm Name>, <Date(s) you are attending>, Hilton Garden Inn

(For multiple shipped pieces, number them appropriates, i.e. ‘FIRM NAME, 1 OF 3; 2 OF 3, and so on)

All inquiries regarding shipments should be made through your carrier service.  The I Hotel cannot verify shipments. For return shipments, please pack all items securely and label clearly with the carrier’s shipping bill.  Be sure to include your company’s account number and attach your prepaid return shipping form.

Conference Fees

• Career XPO 2026 – Thursday, February 19 – $450
• Professional Interviews – Friday, February 20
  • No extra cost!
• Special Rates:
  • Career XPO 2026 “Early Bird Special” – $400
    • Includes the Professional Interviews
    • “Early Bird Special” ends January 13, 2026

Further YOUR Career!

Grad students, seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen: Career XPO is for you!

Students are able to interview firms—to ask questions about architecture and the future they envision. For juniors, seniors, and graduate students, this is a great opportunity to meet and interview the representatives— many of whom are the decision-makers for hiring. You will also want to sell yourself to them. For freshman and sophomores, this is an exceptional time to find out more about architecture from practitioners, laying the groundwork for future employment.

International Students

All employers participating in the Career XPO will interview and hire students. Over the last few years, we have had a 100% hiring rate.  As a graduate student in the STEM-designated M.Arch program, you are eligible to work for any employer under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. Under OPT, you do not need a work visa sponsorship for 3 years. After this period, you will need to seek work visa sponsorship. Working under OPT will provide you with three years of experience in the United States and will promote you as a better candidate and employee with the potential to facilitate a visa sponsorship.