Frequently Asked Questions
About KTech
What kinds of events does KTech host?
KTech events convene tech talent, prepare Kellogg students for success in the tech industry, and cultivate a passion for tech and continuous learning.
Convene: In our Tech Talks series, experts from leading tech companies engage with students about industry trends, strategies, and challenges within their roles. Past topics have included "A Look Into the Challenges of Branding a Technology Company" by Google Brand Studio, "Mapping the World's Digital Economy" by LinkedIn, and an "Internet of Things" (IoT) presentation by Cisco.
Prepare: Our Company Intern Panels, Tech IPG (Interview Prep Group), Resume Reviews, and Mock Interviews provide students with opportunities to engage with second-year students who interned in the tech industry—or even at their target companies—to gain insider perspectives on recruitment, company culture, and roles.
Cultivate: KTech hosts social events to build and support Kellogg's tech community. In addition, the Annual KTech Conference is an amazing opportunity to see what KTech has to offer.
About recruiting for tech
What tech companies recruit Kellogg students?
For a complete listing of firms, see the annual hiring report. The tech recruiting process is a mix of on campus, off-campus, and just-in-time recruiting. Leveraging the networks of your peers and alumni will help you navigate your recruiting journey.
For those interested in start-ups, resources 1871, a local start-up incubator, as well as opportunities to intern full time during the summer as well as throughout the academic year. VC Lab - Program B, is a program where tech startups look to Kellogg specifically to partner with MBA students.
What recruiting resources are available to club members?
KTech manages a repository of recruiting resources to help members recruit for their target roles and companies and become well-rounded leaders in their internships and beyond.
Discover: Alongside Kellogg's Career Management Center (CMC), Kellogg students organize treks to visit company offices - from downtown Chicago to San Francisco. These treks are a great opportunity to network and learn about the tech industry.
Prepare: KTech's recruiting and interview resources are available to all members ahead of recruiting, including the KTech Case Guide and KTech Recruiting Guide. These resources provide insights into specific companies and their recruiting processes, along with recommendations on how students can best prepare for interviews. Additionally, KTech offers prep workshops, such as the KTech Recruiting Bootcamp, to help first-year students navigate their tech recruiting journey.
Interview: Second year students lead resume reviews and mock interviews to help first year students prepare for recruitment. Most students participate in Interview Prep Groups (IPGs), where second year students meet weekly with a group of first years interested in a specific industry or function to workshop resumes, practice interviewing, and provide moral support.
What kinds of roles do tech companies recruit for at Kellogg?
Check out Kellogg's Employment Report to see all the positions Kellogg students have taken in tech, and visit the KTech Testimonials page to read highlights from students' summer internship experiences.
I am interested in a Product Management role. Does Kellogg have anything for me?
Yes! PM is the most recruited role for Kellogg students interested in tech. KTech's IPGs and career bootcamps prepare students to interview for PM roles. Kellogg also features a course in Product Management and experiential opportunities where students can try their hand at building products. We recommend interview guide books such as Cracking the PM Interview and Decode and Conquer (written by a Kellogg alum!). Kellogg students also have access to the Rocketblocks library for more technical interviewing skills.
Do I need to have a technical background to get offers from tech firms?
No! Kellogg can prepare you for a number of career paths in tech, regardless of background. Most tech firms look at career switchers favorably. While some may prefer coding or technical experience for specific roles, many positions are accessible with the right preparation. If you can demonstrate solid industry knowledge, analytical skills, strategic thinking, and problem solving abilities, you will be considered for the vast majority of positions. Kellogg offers a popular Introduction to Software Development course for those interested in learning more.
Do tech firms hire international students?
Yes, though this varies by company for full-time employment. Feel free to reach out to Kellogg's Career Management Center with questions regarding eligibility.
About Kellogg
How big is the Kellogg alumni network in tech?
The Kellogg tech alumni network spans Chicago, the Bay Area, Seattle, New York, and major global hubs in China, India, Brazil, and beyond. In 2024, about 20% of students chose to pursue tech careers after Kellogg, and the KTech alumni network is growing and engaged.
How should I prepare for my time at Kellogg?
While there will be plenty of time once you've arrived at Kellogg to explore opportunities, you may find it helpful to reflect on your career goals and network with companies that interest you to learn more about available roles and paths.
In addition, we recommend that you continue to build a personal perspective on the tech industry by keeping up with relevant news and trends. Some of our favorite resources include TechCrunch, . Stay up to date on the latest trends in tech by reading news outlets such as TechCrunch, podcasts like Hard Fork and WSJ Tech News Briefing, and blogs such as Ben Evan's blog and Stratechery by Ben Thompson.
If there are gaps in your skillset, the summer can be a great time to take a class in programming or to beef up your analytical skills.
We often get questions about pre-MBA internships. Because these are not required for a successful recruiting experience, we recommend reflecting on what you want to accomplish at Kellogg and whether a pre-MBA internship is needed for your unique path. If you do want to pursue a pre-MBA internship, we recommend using LinkedIn to search for small companies (<100 employees) with Kellogg alumni. Smaller firms are more likely to have projects they might entrust to an intern and often lack the formal internship programs of larger companies. You might reach out to several firms and ask to connect virtually for a 20 minute call. During the call, ask about their company, roles, and experiences at Kellogg. You can conclude by explaining you are interested in getting some hands-on experience before Kellogg, noting your flexibility to work part or full time, and mentioning that if they need any short term help or know anyone who does, you would love to be considered.
Other Questions?
Have other questions? Contact us at ktech-exec@kellogg.northwestern.edu. In addition, keep an eye out for KTech events on the Kellogg Admissions events calendar. We'll do our best to get you the answers you need as you're considering Kellogg!
Listen to our latest live Q&A session with current students on their Kellogg experience here!
┬® Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University. All Rights Reserved. Kellogg Policies