Handshake for Students

Handshake is Columbia Engineering's platform for connecting students directly with employers. Within Handshake, you can build your profile, network with potential employers, search and apply for jobs and internships, explore professional events, and work with your Career Placement Officer. Explore more details about the features below.

Your Handshake profile is what employers see when they search for candidates. Add your major, skills, coursework, and work experience, set your job preferences, and upload your resume so it is ready to attach to applications. When you set your profile visibility to Employers or Community, recruiters can find you and message you directly about opportunities that match your background.

Use Handshake to find your next ideal job or internship. Once you've set up your profile and added your career preferences, Handshake will surface job and internship recommendations matched to your specific interests and experience. You can search and filter open positions — including by visa sponsorship — and apply directly through the platform.

Following a company in Handshake keeps you ahead of its recruiting cycle. You will be notified when a company you follow posts a new job for Columbia Engineering students, hosts an information session, or registers for one of our career fairs — so you can apply and sign up early instead of finding out after the deadline.

Start building your professional network by attending any number of employer events. Visit the events section in Handshake to explore opportunities to connect with employers at industry panels, presentations, coffee chats, career fairs, and more. If you need assistance identifying the opportunities best suited to your interests, you can always contact your Career Placement Officer.

Not ready to apply yet? Save any posting in Handshake to come back to it later, and set up job alerts so you are notified by email when new positions matching your saved searches are posted. It is the easiest way to keep up with roles that open on a rolling basis.

Handshake keeps every application you submit in one place. Check the status of each one, revisit the jobs you have saved, and see your upcoming interviews and event registrations — all from your Handshake dashboard.