Handshake

Handshake is a tool that connects students and alumni directly with employers and opportunities, along with career advisors and career-related events and workshops. Handshake was created with students in mind and hosts the largest number of opportunities specifically for students and new college graduates.

More than 102,000 opportunities posted last year

In 2022-2023, employers posted 102,633 opportunities to VCU’s Handshake platform, including jobs, internships, cooperative education, experiential learning, fellowships, graduate school programs and assistantships, on-campus student employment and volunteer opportunities.

Jobs and on-campus employment

Internships

Experiential learning and volunteering

Fellowships and graduate programs

75,669

23,711

647

2,606

How to use Handshake

For tips on using Handshake, select a topic below:

Six reasons to use Handshake

1. Apply where you have the advantage.

Handshake is the only place that connects you, VCU and employers together. You’ll find jobs and internships posted specifically for VCU students.

2. Recruiters want to talk to you.

Organizations on Handshake can message students with event invites, interview requests and new opportunities. Last year, recruiters sent more than 16 million direct messages to students.

3. Gain the relevant experience you need.

The jobs on Handshake are meant for students like you, so you can get the experience you want and need – whether that’s volunteering, experiential learning, fellowships or part-time jobs.

4. Find the right opportunity for you.

When you fill out your Handshake profile, you will automatically see opportunities that match your interests and skills. You may even discover a new career path or an organization you hadn’t considered.

5. Start earning right away.

If your top priority right now is finding a part-time position on or off campus, Handshake is the best place to find VCU-approved Federal Work-Study positions, paid undergraduate research opportunities, and local and remote part-time jobs.

6. Connect to the organizations you want to work for.

All of the top employers are recruiting students on Handshake, including Fortune 500, startups, nonprofits and more.