Gustavus Career Development Office Launches “Handshake” Placement Technology Posted on September 16th, 2015 by JJ Akin '11

Cynthia Favre explains Handshake to senior management major Connor Perry.

The Gustavus Adolphus College Office of Career Development recently implemented Handshake, a new career service management system that will support the College’s 2,500 students as they seek postgraduate careers or further education.

The web-based platform is currently only available to 75 colleges and universities across the United States. Gustavus and Metro State University are the only schools in Minnesota whose students have access to the program. Other early adopters include Wake Forest University and Stanford University.

“We need to be on the cutting-edge. We need to be doing things that help our students move into the future,” Director of Career Development Cynthia Favre said. “This is a state-of-the-art tool for accessing information across all digital devices.”

Handshake will allow Gustavus career development staff to manage appointments, job postings, and campus events through an easy-to-use and intuitive interface. Students will have the ability to register for career fairs and information sessions, search employers, and even apply for positions directly through their Handshake account. Designed with college students in mind, the platform is mobile-friendly and uses social networking technology to connect students with friends, career resources, and most importantly, jobs.

“Handshake gives us the ability to break down career preparation and the job search into a step-by-step process,” Favre said. “Students will be able to use the technology to find the resources and support to manage their career path. Career searches can be overwhelming, but we’re here to give them the plan to move forward.”

Preparing for life after graduation begins as early as a student’s first class and continues throughout their time at Gustavus. This year, first-year students will use Handshake as part of a career development office partnership with the First-Term Seminar (FTS) program.

In addition to utilizing Handshake and other career readiness technology, the career development staff meets one-on-one with students, reviews resumes, and connects Gusties with employers both on- and off-campus. The office supports students of all aspirations as they seek mentorships, internships, graduate or professional school placement, or to begin a career. According to career development survey responses, 99 percent of Gustavus graduates are situated within six months after graduation.

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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510