Starting February 15, all UCCS alumni will have access to a new resource to support their career development: Handshake, the industry-standard jobs platform that connects university students and alumni to more than 500,000 employers across the globe.
When the platform launches at UCCS in February, all UCCS students and alumni will be able to create accounts on the platform to search for jobs, offer mentorship to each other and connect directly with employers.
“It’s exciting,” said Claire Ami, Career Outreach Coordinator for Career Services, who has overseen the transition from the department’s former jobs and internships platform to Handshake. “It blows the doors wide open on opportunities across the United States as well as globally – all on a platform where we can vet each opportunity as it comes in.”
Using the new platform, UCCS alumni can apply to positions posted by employers representing all shapes, sizes and industries – including every Fortune 500 company.
The platform has become popular for universities across the country due to its ease of use and algorithm-driven software. It mimics Spotify, Netflix and other popular online services by using machine learning to recommend relevant opportunities to users.
As alumni fill out their profiles – with information like their degree, past experiences, preferred industry and location – and use the platform to search for jobs, Handshake develops lists of relevant positions curated specifically for the individual. The more alumni use the platform to search for and apply to jobs, the more relevant its suggestions become.
It has also drawn nods across the country for breaking down the barriers faced by job-seekers using other platforms. Rather than relying on recruiters, employers can search for qualified candidates on the platform and personally invite them to apply for opportunities at their organizations.
And it also offers opportunities for alumni to offer mentorship to current students. As students pose questions on the platform about particular companies or career paths, UCCS alumni can reply back, offering mentorship, advice and encouragement.
The ultimate goal of the platform is to level the playing field for students and alumni seeking employment.
All UCCS alumni can log into Handshake starting February 15. To log in, visit the Career Services webpage and select the Handshake banner. Alumni should use the “Handshake Login for Students/Alumni” portal to request access to the platform. Once approved, they can fill out a profile and begin seeking opportunities.
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