Oakton provides services to assist students in making appropriate academic and career plans, addressing other issues, and enriching their Oakton experience through co-curricular activities.

Academic Advising and Educational Planning

The Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success helps students navigate their academic options and opportunities at Oakton by supporting them from orientation to completion.

Advisors help students align their educational and career goals with one of eight core areas of study, which we call Areas of Interest. Once an Area of Interest is selected, the advisor and student develop an individualized educational plan that sets them on the path to transfer, complete a degree, or enter the workforce. These plans can be revised at any time and should be revisited by the student and advisor each semester.

Advisors also connect students to resources on campus, assist with concerns related to academic progress and academic standing, and help students navigate the transfer process. All incoming students at Oakton are assigned an academic advisor in their first semester. Students are encouraged to meet with their assigned academic advisor once per semester.

Appointments may be made with an advisor through the Enrollment Center, Room 1860, Des Plaines, 847.635.1700, or Room A100, Skokie, 847.635.1400. For more information, visit www.oakton.edu/advising.

Career and Transfer Center

The Career and Transfer Center (CTC) assists students with discovering, pursuing, and achieving their transfer and career goals by aligning their academic efforts and personal development with their chosen career and transfer pathways. The CTC staff assist students with major and career exploration, job search skill development, and transfer support resources through fairs, workshops, and one-on-one coaching.

The CTC also coordinates the College’s student employee program in alignment with the promotion of student learning, persistence, and success. The program offers students career skills, work experience, and the opportunity to assist with their educational costs.

Additionally, job seekers can take advantage of our relationship with local employers by viewing job listings and posting a résumé on Oakton's Online Job Board. For more information, contact the Career and Transfer Center, Room 2901, Des Plaines, 847.635.1735, or Room A100, Skokie, 847.635.1400.

Personal Counseling

Personal counselors are available to assist with non-academic concerns and personal development issues which impact students’ personal and educational goals. Short-term counseling is available for Oakton students struggling with a wide array of adjustment issues, transition problems, and mental health concerns. Personal counselors can also make referral information available for students who need long-term counseling, support, or services not available at Oakton. For more information, visit Counseling Services or call 847.635.1744.

Student Veterans Services

Academic advisors in the Office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success are available to assist student veterans as they transition into the college system. Advisors guide student veterans in academic planning and progress, the financial aid process, and information about veteran services available throughout Oakton’s district.

Appointments may be made with an advisor through the Enrollment Center, Room 1860, Des Plaines, 847.635.1700, or Room A100, Skokie, 847-635-1400. For more information, visit www.oakton.edu/advising.

New Student Onboarding

The orientation experience at Oakton is driven by academic goals and varies based on whether you identify as a degree-seeking or certificate/visiting student. Depending upon your academic goals, your onboarding to Oakton will include either an online orientation program (for certificate/visiting students) or a two-step process that includes an online orientation and in-person Advising and Registration Workshop (for degree-seeking students). The Advising and Registration Workshop is similar to what other institutions call “new student orientation”. At the workshop, students learn about campus resources and involvement opportunities, meet with an academic advisor, and register for classes.

New students receive information on how to complete the online orientation and/or register for a workshop once they have completed placement in reading, writing, and math. For information about your specific onboarding steps, please go to your New Student Portal Admission Checklist.

TRIO Student Support Services

The TRIO Student Support Services program is dedicated to enhancing the college experience at Oakton. TRIO helps students persist in their educational goals and transfer to four-year institutions by fostering close student/advisor relationships in a supportive community. Services include academic advising, transfer assistance, financial aid assistance, activities, and events. To participate in TRIO, students must meet eligibility criteria: be a first-generation college student; demonstrate financial need; and/or have a documented learning or physical disability. TRIO Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education.

For more information, contact TRIO, Room 2091, Des Plaines, or Room A144, Skokie, trio@oakton.edu or 847.635.1265.