Engineering your Illinois experience: A Grainger Engineering resource guide
Engineering your Illinois experience: A Grainger Engineering resource guide
- Experiences
- Undergraduate
January 29, 2026
No matter where you are in your Grainger College of Engineering journey, we want to offer you countless ways to learn, grow and connect with the community around you. Whether you’re seeking academic support, research opportunities, creative spaces or opportunities to explore the world, the following resources are designed to help you thrive in and out of the classroom.
There are so many ways to get involved, connect and challenge yourself. We hope these resources help you turn your college years into something meaningful and memorable. Jump in, explore what excites you and make your Illinois experience uniquely yours!
If you're looking for a specific resource, we've also organized them by topic below:
Academics
Advising
We offer college and academic departmental-level advising to answer any questions you might have and help you overcome any challenges you might face. Whether you’re struggling with a class, questioning your major, confused by degree requirements or interested in discussing your future, our advisors are ready to help you.
Center for Academic Resources in Engineering (C.A.R.E.)
Open to all undergraduate students, C.A.R.E. is here to support you throughout your academic journey and your go-to resource for academic assistance! Here’s a quick rundown of some of the many resources C.A.R.E. offers:
- Tutoring by course or program skill
- Peer advising
- Exam review sessions
- Python learning and practice
- Peer-led teams
Engineering Career Services (ECS)
Whether you’re uncertain about your future career, looking for an internship, applying for graduate school or considering your next steps after graduation, ECS can help. Discover and apply your strengths to meaningful career opportunities through:
- Individual appointments
- Drop-in advising
- Career labs
- Career fairs
- Resume reviews
- Mock interviews
- CPT and OPT guidance
Entrepreneurship
Whether you want to become a more successful leader or create the next big startup, look no further than our Technology Entrepreneur Center (TEC). Here, entrepreneurial minds find support to build, innovate and shape the future. Participate in TEC’s campuswide Cozad New Venture Challenge to compete for funding, meet corporate leaders and venture capitalists during their annual trip to Silicon Valley and so much more!
Study Abroad
If you’re interested in spending time abroad during your college experience, International Programs in Engineering (IPENG) offers multiple pathways to gain global experience while staying on track academically. Through IPENG, you can study abroad, participate in research, pursue international internships and take part in faculty-led programs. You also have the option to add a global focus to your degree through the International Minor in Engineering.
Undergraduate Student Research
There are so many research opportunities in Grainger Engineering and across campus, and we want you to take part in them. You’re able to work alongside other undergraduates and faculty who are experts in their fields to help answer society’s toughest questions — and you can start as early as your first year! Not sure how to get involved in research? Don’t worry, we have a blog on that too. You can also check out specific research options in the experiential learning section below.
Student Life and Community
Health and Wellness
At Grainger Engineering, we care, and we know balancing academic demands, social life and self-care are essential to your success. Our Center for Academic Resources in Engineering works with the campus Counseling Center and McKinley Health Center to provide counseling services specific to our college to help you prioritize your mental health — including individual appointments with Grainger Engineering-embedded counselors.
Morrill Engineering Program (MEP)
MEP empowers African American, Hispanic and Native American engineering students, supports their success as scholars, and leverages a community of students, staff and alumni to achieve excellence in engineering. The program hosts activities throughout the year to enhance your experience and is open to all students who seek its services.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are the heart of the Grainger Engineering community. You can find a supportive community and get involved through collegewide and universitywide organizations, as well as societies and teams connected to your academic department. These opportunities help you grow professionally and socially, build community, develop leadership skills and apply your learning beyond the classroom.
Whether you want to build and race a solar car or share your passion for engineering at local schools, we have more than 100 engineering-based student organizations to choose from!
- Engineering Ambassadors
- Engineering Council
- Engineering Student Alumni Ambassadors
- Engineers Without Borders
- Illini Solar Car
- Illinois Space Society
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Society of Women Engineers
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Women in Engineering (WIE)
WIE is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for Grainger Engineering students. They offer and support a range of programs, including orientation for incoming students, mentoring and leadership elective courses, personalized academic and professional success meetings, and leadership development workshops. WIE welcomes everyone in joining us to support women in engineering!
Experiential Learning
Cancer Scholars Program (CSP)
Offered by the Cancer Center at Illinois, this program provides you with a unique, interdisciplinary learning experience, with early exposure to cancer-related research as an undergraduate student. Through real-world laboratory experiences, fellowships, workforce development and advocacy, CSP empowers you to pursue scientific breakthroughs, develop solutions against cancer and create impact.
City Scholars
You can gain real-world experience with Chicago’s tech companies and startups through City Scholars. Intern with a company for a full semester while taking classes in-person and online in Chicago. This opportunity is a perfect way to meet and work with inspiring tech leaders, build professional networks, apply your knowledge and learn valuable new skills!
Grainger First-Year Experience (GFX)
GFX works to ensure all incoming students have a successful transition to campus. They offer a variety of orientation programs and classes, interdisciplinary courses and events to help you build a strong foundation for continued academic, personal and professional success as a Grainger engineer.
Illinois Scholars Undergraduate Research (ISUR)
If you’re interested in a more structured research experience, look no further than ISUR. This program provides you with a two-semester research experience using a learning-by-apprenticeship model. You’ll work closely with graduate student or postdoc mentors and faculty sponsors on research projects throughout the fall and spring semesters and present your research during the annual spring ISUR Poster Expo.
Spaces
Grainger Engineering Library
At 92,000 square feet, the Grainger Engineering Library is the largest engineering library in the country! Located in the heart of Grainger Engineering’s campus for your convenience, it’s more than a quiet study space — it’s also home to other resources on this list, including our Center for Academic Resources in Engineering and the IDEA Lab, to name a few!
IDEA Lab
Located in the Grainger Engineering Library’s basement, this collaborative technology center provides access to emerging technologies for learning, instruction, research and play. Reserve a room, check out loanable technology, utilize its 3D printing makerspace and more.
OpenLab
At OpenLab, you can work on projects you’re passionate about outside your required coursework. Students from across campus are encouraged to use the lab to work on personal and student organization projects, with access to equipment from 3D printing to PCB design to soldering and CNC milling. Come build something!
More Resources
Everyone wants a different college experience, and we know the importance of finding community and making connections socially and academically. We hope the above resources help you make the most of your experience at Grainger Engineering!
For a comprehensive list of student resources across campus, we also encourage you to check out the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Student Affairs website.