• What is Handshake?

    Handshake is an online system used by colleges and universities across the nation for posting jobs.

    Through this system, employers can:

    • Post jobs for free to Calvin students/alumni.
    • Search resumes.
    • Register for career fairs.
    • Coordinate on-campus recruiting.
  • How do I post a job for Calvin students/alumni to view?

    Create an account in Handshake, connect to Calvin, and select Calvin when you're choosing where to post your opportunities. It's easy to post and manage your own jobs in Handshake once you have an account. See the Handshake employer support page for assistance.

  • How do I schedule an on-campus visit?

    We help employers schedule on campus interviews, information sessions, and displays. Contact our office to schedule your visit.

  • Can I view job seekers' resumes?

    Students and alumni job seekers can upload their resume into Handshake for you to view.

  • What is an internship?
    • Monitored work experience with intentional learning goals
    • Establishes a reasonable balance between the student's learning goals and work the organization needs completed
    • Intern is supervised by an expert, not expected to be the expert
    • Short term (10-12 weeks), although may become longer term
    • Can be for-credit (students register for an internship seminar class on campus, which meets regularly and includes significant course work-see a list of classes available) or non-credit (for the student's own professional development but not monitored by Calvin)
    • Part-time during the school year (usually 10-15 hrs/wk), can be part- or full-time during the summer
      • Fall semester is September through December
      • Spring semester is February through mid-May
      • Summer semester is mid-May through August
  • What is the advantage of an intern over a part-time employee?
    • They are highly motivated and interested in a career in your field of work
    • They provide an effective and efficient tool for recruiting full-time hires, giving employers the opportunity to "test drive" an employee before making a long-term commitment
    • They can complete project work for which you need extra brain power
    • They connect employers with Calvin and provide more exposure to your organization
    • They bring fresh ideas to the table
    • They offer a flexible, cost-effective work force not requiring a long term commitment
    • They allow professional staff to pursue higher level projects

    Read a Wall Street Journal article about using interns effectively.

  • What are the employers' responsibilities?

    Employers agree to:

    • Provide a job description: either post it on Handshake or email it
    • Sign an internship agreement the first time they hire a Calvin intern
    • Assign a mentor/supervisor to each intern who is an expert and can guide the intern's work
    • Give students at least 10 hours of work per week for at least 10-12 weeks
    • Participate in the for-credit intern's academic progress by completing a learning contract and a final evaluation as provided by the professor
  • What are the issues related to paying interns?

    About 75% of Calvin interns are paid. In some industries, unpaid internships are more common (e.g. non-profit orgs, broadcasting), while in others, interns' wages are very competitive (e.g. accounting, engineering, computer science). We do not dictate whether or not an employer needs to pay interns or what their wages must be. Students can receive both pay and credit for an internship.

    Issues related to unpaid internships have been addressed in litigation. The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has information regarding interns. Employers must determine for themselves whether their internship meets legal standards.

  • How do I hire an international student for an internship or entry level job?

    Check out our handout about hiring international students.

  • What is the Work-Study Program?

    The federal government provides money to help pay the wages of a small number of university students with financial need to work in non-profit organizations. Student eligibility is related to financial need. Calvin has partnerships with a few local non-profit organizations to offer internship quality, paid, Work-Study opportunities off campus during the school year (not summer). See more information about Work-Study on our student employment webpage.

  • How does a student find an internship?

    Students are responsible for finding their own positions with the assistance of the career center. Students are encouraged to seek out internships at organizations in which they have an interest. They also can view a list of open internship positions available on Handshake.