How to use Handshake to find jobs and internships
Looking for an internship or job? is CU ǸԹ’s online career platform, where students can search opportunities, connect with employers and find career fairs and events.
Every undergraduate and graduate student automatically has a free Handshake account, regardless of your major or year. Even if you aren’t ready to apply for a job or internship, you can use Handshake to explore career options and see what employers are looking for.
Here are some tips to get started on Handshake.
Complete your Handshake profile
Start by completing your Handshake profile. Add information about your education, experience, skills, interests and the types of opportunities you're looking for.
A complete profile helps Handshake recommend jobs and internships that match your interests. Making your profile visible to employers can also help recruiters who are looking for CU ǸԹ students find you.
Keep your profile updated as you gain new experience, skills and career interests.
Search for jobs and internships
Handshake includes on-campus student jobs, internships and full-time opportunities across a variety of industries and locations.
Use keywords and filters to narrow your results based on what matters to you, such as career field, location or remote work. Try searching for skills or areas of interest (like “marketing,” “music” or “sports”) in addition to specific job titles.
Not sure what you’re looking for yet? Browsing opportunities can help you learn about different career paths, job titles and skills employers value.
If you’re an international student looking for an internship or job in the U.S., Handshake has tools that can help you find opportunities based on work authorization.
Use the CPT/OPT & Sponsorship Friendly Opportunities Collection to find professional opportunities that may be open to students who need CPT, OPT or U.S. visa sponsorship. You can also use Handshake's Work Authorization filters to narrow your search.
When reviewing a job or internship, check the “At A Glance” section of the posting for information about whether the opportunity is open to CPT, OPT or visa sponsorship.
Explore resources for international students from andCareer Services for additional guidance on work authorization and the U.S. job and internship search.
Save your searches and get job alerts
Turn on notifications for your saved searches to hear about new opportunities that match your criteria.
You can create multiple saved searches based on different types of roles, industries or locations. This can make it easier to keep up with new opportunities without checking Handshake every day.
Explore opportunities selected by CU ǸԹ
Not sure what keywords to use? Explore CU ǸԹ Collections in Handshake. Career Services groups opportunities around specific interests, industries and locations to make it easier to discover relevant options.
Collections may include opportunities with Colorado startups, local employers or organizations in specific career fields. They can be a helpful starting point if you’re exploring your options or aren’t sure exactly what type of position you want.
Find career fairs and events
Handshake isn’t only for job postings. You can also use it to find career fairs, workshops, employer information sessions and other events.
Visit the events section to:
- Find upcoming career fairs and see which employers are attending.
- Explore Career Services workshops and programs for help with resumes, interviews and other parts of your job or internship search.
- Find employer events where you can learn about organizations, career opportunities and the experiences of current or former employees.
Attending events can help you learn about your options, make connections and prepare for your next steps—even if you aren’t actively applying for positions yet.
Get help with Handshake and your career search
Not sure what to search for, how to improve your Handshake profile or whether you’re ready to apply? Career Services can help.
Visit Career Services during office hours or schedule an appointment to talk with a career development advisor about Handshake, your job or internship search and other career questions.