Information for Employers
Recruiting Voiland College Students
Thank you for considering students and graduates of the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Our goal is to build strong relationships with you, our industry partners, to foster a more successful way for employers to engage our talented students and graduates. Our various recruitment options provide you a cost effective approach to hiring, training, evaluating, and on-boarding talent.
We provide:
- Access to recruiting engineering students throughout the year via our free Web-based recruitment program (Handshake), arranging employer information sessions and panels, and recruiting at career fairs.
- Assistance developing co-op and internship positions, including help developing position descriptions.
- Assistance planning campus visits and recruitment activities.
- Assistance with marketing your open positions, including posting to the Voiland College Career Information Digital Displays and on Handshake, WSU’s primary searchable database for students and employers.
- Access to engineering student résumé books, available through Handshake.
- Assistance reserving rooms for on-campus interviews.
- Assistance registering for the annual Fall Career and VCEA Technical Fair (first Tuesday in October) and the Career Expo (first Tuesday in February).
- Help connecting with our diverse engineering student body including underrepresented minorities, females, and engineering student society groups and clubs.
- Access to Voiland College schools, departments, and faculty at WSU.
Create a Handshake Account
As a starting point, we recommend you create an account in Handshake, WSU’s online recruiting database, a free resource for employers. Once your Handshake account is activated, you will be able to post available positions, register for career events, and manage interview schedules.
Promote Your Company
To increase awareness of your career opportunities, we strongly encourage you to build your presence on campus by participating in the following activities:
- Career Expos and Technical Fairs
- On-campus information sessions or information tables
- On-campus interviews
- Participation in career panels and workshops
Additional opportunities to promote brand recognition:
- Company site visits/open houses
- Event sponsorship opportunities
- Job openings shared via Voiland College social media
For more information, please email Sandra Brabb, Director, Voiland College Internships and Career Services.
Recruitment Opportunities
Career Fairs
The Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture hosts the VCEA Technical Career Fair in conjunction with the WSU Career Expo the second Tuesday in October, connecting companies and professional recruiters with students and job seekers to help them achieve their career goals.
Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (ProPEL) Program
As part of the Internships and Career Services office, the ProPEL program links qualified, interested students with employers to fill engineering and architecture positions. These up-and-coming professionals can save you time, provide support on special projects, and invigorate the work place. In return, student interns will benefit from your knowledge and experience while exploring their chosen career path and earning academic credit.
Support Faculty, Students, and Facilities
As the point of contact between corporations and foundations and the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, the Voiland College development team can help your organization partner with the college, departments, faculty, staff, students and their world-class research, innovation, and outreach throughout the state and around the world. They can also help you sponsor custom projects for your company.
Contact Devon Anderson, Senior Director of Philanthropic Engagement.
Parker Dewey Micro-Internships
Voiland College Career Services is excited to highlight an opportunity for our corporate and nonprofit partners to offer short-term, professional, paid work experiences to current students through Micro-Internships. Through Micro-Internships, students can demonstrate their skills, explore career paths, and develop their professional networks. Unlike a traditional internship, these paid opportunities typically range from 10 to 40 hours of work, and most can be completed remotely. Not only does this help the students, but it allows you as employers to get immediate support and enhance your company’s pipeline for future interns and new hires.
To get started, create an account here.
Hiring Process
Developing the Position
To consider during the hiring process:
- Create a position description with details about potential projects, responsibilities and desired skills.
- Determine the appropriate salary and consider paying for the student’s co-op credits.
- Post your position with the Professional Practice and Experiential Learning (ProPEL) Engineering Job Board, for marketing to WSU engineering students.
- Schedule on-campus interviews working with the Internships and Career Services office.
- Communicate with the Internships and Career Services office about your hires.
Preparing for your WSU engineering student:
- Identify a supervisor and mentor for the student.
- Develop a training plan and company orientation.
- Prepare a workspace, technical equipment, and supplies.
- If relocation is necessary, discuss housing options near the company.
- Connect students with other co-op/internship students at the company.
The first week of the job:
- Discuss the training plan.
- Introduce the student to staff members.
- Spend quality time with the student.
Hiring WSU Students
There are five steps to hiring a WSU engineering co-op/internship student:
- Post a position on Handshake.
- Select résumés from the submitted applications.
- Schedule interviews:
- On-campus through the Internships and Career Services office.
- Through your company’s method of interviewing applicants.
- Extend your offer(s) and hire a WSU engineering student.
- Contact the Internships and Career Services office with the name of the student(s) hired.
Additional Resources for Employers
- Hire and manage employees — U.S. Small Business Administration
- Best Practices for Virtual Career Fairs — National Association of Colleges and Employers
- Factors Contributing to Intern Conversion – National Association of Colleges and Employers
Contact the Internships and Career Services Office
Phone: (509) 335-8726
E-mail: vcea.internships@wsu.edu
Career Coaching Drop-in Hours: 2:00 – 3:00 PM, Monday – Friday
By Appointment:
