I am the retired Director of the Career Center at the University of Illinois. In the middle 70’s we invited colleagues on other Big Ten and U of Chicago campuses to join us for a conference at Allerton. Actually, we planned a revolution in our field. Previously, “Placement” offices only dealt with seniors and alumni. This gathering was to compare notes on the efforts of several offices, including and especially Illinois, who were working with undergrads to start career planning and preparation earlier. Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Chicago, and Minnesota were beginning similar efforts and they all came. Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Purdue and Michigan State also attended to learn what others were doing. Thus, began the Career Development Movement in our field that revolutionized the work we do and became the accepted practice at every college and university in America. Succeeding conferences took place at Allerton for the next 15 years until the conference expanded to the east coast. It all started at Allerton! It is now said, Allerton was the Cradle of Career Development.
Park & Retreat Center
