The College of Natural Sciences Career Services is offering a variety of events to further assist CNS students in their career goals. One of these is “Let’s Shake On It,” an event where students learn about a new career development program called Handshake. 

Laura Jones, a recruiting coordinator in CNS Career Services, said Handshake is a platform that can connect students to resources offered by CNS. Jones works directly with employers interested in recruiting students.  

“(Handshake) is a one-stop shop for the resources we have to offer our CNS students,” Jones said. “It houses employer profiles, job opportunities, online resources and scheduling for career appointments.”

Jones said Handshake is also a resource for employers to search for CNS students and find their resumes.

“Students who haven’t completed their profile or uploaded their resume are missing out on employers finding their info,” Jones said. 

Melanie Hooper, lead career coach and senior program coordinator for CNS Career Services, said the “Let’s Shake On It” event will teach students how to use Handshake. Hopper said CNS Career Services acquired the Handshake program about a year and a half ago but want more students to use it.

“We want students to not only be aware of Handshake, but to create their profiles and utilize Handshake on a regular basis,” Hooper said. “Every student has a Handshake profile already; they simply need to log in using their UT EID and password to access all the great benefits of the platform.

While Handshake is accessible to all CNS students, many are unaware it exists.

Biochemistry freshman Shelby Scherz said she didn’t know about Handshake or the “Let’s Shake on It” event until asked about it.  

“I have received emails but never really followed up to know anything about the program,” Scherz said.

Jones said CNS Career Services planned this event so students like Scherz could work with the program.

“Handshake is such a great tool and resource for our students, but we know the awareness of its capabilities isn’t widely known,” Jones said. “We wanted to create an event to help students get hands-on experience with it while being able to ask us questions about how to use it.”

Hooper and Jones both said they want students to become aware of what Handshake can do for them. Jones added that if the great resources weren’t a selling point, free empanadas will also be given to attending students. 

The “Let’s Shake On It” event will be held from 1 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 25 in FAC 101B and from 1 to 3 p.m. on Jan. 27 in WEL 2.128.