Handshake is the leading online career community that connects universities, students, and employers. Since the company was founded in 2013, the Handshake network has grown to include over 7 million active student users, 1,000 plus college and university partners, and 500,000 plus employers, including 100% of the Fortune 500 companies. As of earlier this year, that network includes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

“We feel fortunate to partner with Rensselaer in this endeavor as we know how dedicated they are to preparing students for career success. Their institutional focus on addressing the global challenges facing the 21st century matches our dedication to redefine the education-to-employment landscape,” said Christine Y. Cruzvergara, vice president for higher education and student success at Handshake.

“Handshake’s network will provide students at Rensselaer with thousands of opportunities across a variety of industries,” Cruzvergara said. “Students will be able to learn from each other’s experiences and answer each other’s questions. And, our community of 500,000-plus employers will reach out with invitations to attend events, to network, and to apply for their opportunities. We encourage students to be active, to complete their profiles, and to engage with the full Handshake community. The possibilities are truly endless.”

Since joining forces with Handshake in July 2020, 52% of Rensselaer undergraduate students have activated an account, surpassing other colleges and universities by 20% within that timeframe. “The ability to connect students directly to recruitment managers in a virtual world during a global pandemic has greatly increased the level of direct communication students have with employers, leading to a higher rate of placement. We have successfully prepared Rensselaer students with the skills needed to navigate virtual interviews, career fairs, and industry events setting them apart from the competition,” said Philip Bruce, director of the Center for Career and Professional Development.

Since mid-October, over 300 unique employers have added to the significant number of opportunities across all industries for Rensselaer students to connect and engage with. In the past 30 days, all of these employers have direct messaged students at least five times. Sample companies that have posted positions include IBM, Intel, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Optum, United HealthCare, Google, and Goldman Sachs.

All students at Rensselaer are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the Handshake platform to help reach their career goals. Whether they are seeking a full-time position, summer experience, or an Arch semester-away opportunity, Handshake is an essential part of finding a position that aligns with their academic goals and career interests.

To join Handshake, visit: https://app.joinhandshake.com/login. Once students are part of the Handshake community, they will have the opportunity to meet employers at upcoming Virtual Career Fairs, search or filter jobs, and receive messages directly from recruiters and peers. Approximately 80% of students that complete their profiles are contacted by employers. We recommend that all students fill out their profile as soon as possible. This video will help students through the process so they can start leveraging the Handshake community today.