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Career Opportunities: Just a Handshake Away
Virtual Career and Internship Fair to be hosted on new platform on November 18
University News | October 29, 2020
Virginia Wesleyan University's Virtual Fall Career and Internship Fair is just weeks away! And though it will be a virtual event, like many important activities in times of COVID-19, the impact for students, alumni, and employers will be life-changing.
On Wednesday, November 18, from 1-4 p.m., students and interested alumni will have opportunities to find their next professional experience during the virtual career fair. They'll connect with potential employers by attending group information sessions and participating in 10-minute one-on-one video sessions. This virtual career boost will be facilitated through Handshake, VWU’s new career management platform, and coordinated by the University's Career Development Program.
Started in 2014, Handshake has connected more than 1,000 colleges and universities with over 500,000 employers, providing students and alumni access to full- and part-time job postings, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
“The Career Development Program is dedicated to increasing professional development opportunities for the VWU community, both before and after graduation,” said Jessica Harrington, Director of Career Development for Virginia Wesleyan. “Handshake is an excellent resource to help facilitate that goal.”
Harrington says that since the initial launch to students and employers in September, Handshake has doubled the number of connected employers and quadrupled the total number of jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities for the VWU community, compared to VWU’s previous career management platform. In addition, it offers access to numerous events, like virtual career fairs.
To participate, students must register for the November 18 Virtual Fall Career and Internship Fair. Accounts on Handshake have already been created for VWU students, so students simply need to verify their accounts and complete their profiles.
In addition, employers interested in sharing opportunities with the VWU community can post openings on Handshake. Then the career connecting between students and alumni and their future employers takes flight.
Students, alumni, and employers can find more information on setting up their Handshake accounts here. VWU faculty and staff also have access to career development tools and resources through the platform, enabling them to assist students during advising sessions and other future planning efforts.
”We believe that Handshake's company values, a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and diversity, align well with the University’s,” noted Harrington. “Ultimately, Virginia Wesleyan chose to adopt Handshake because of its ease of use, virtual career fair tool, and increased employer connections and job postings, assets that will become evident as we approach the November 18 event."
VWU’s Career Development Program is located in The Lighthouse: Center for Exploration and Discovery in Clarke Hall. For more information about Handshake or the Virtual Fall Career and Internship Fair, contact Jessica Harrington, Director of Career Development, at jharrington@vwu.edu.