Why Hire Hoos?
The University of Virginia offers employers access to a talented and engaged student population representing a wide range of academic disciplines, backgrounds, and career interests. With approximately 17,000 undergraduate students and 9,000 graduate students across UVA’s schools and programs, Hoos bring a strong combination of academic excellence, leadership, innovation, and collaboration to the workplace. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning, research, and student involvement, UVA students are well-prepared to contribute across industries and career paths from day one.
Handshake
Submit a request to host an information session, tabling event, coffee chat, workshop, or other engagement opportunity with UVA students.
Best Practices for Hosting Events on Grounds:
- Plan Ahead: Submit your request at least 2–3 weeks in advance to allow time for approvals, scheduling, and student marketing. Events submitted with less notice may result in lower student engagement and attendance.
- Information Sessions: In-person information sessions are limited to 1-hour sessions and should begin at the top of the hour.
- Be Specific: Include any target audience information such as class year, school, academic program, or area of interest.
- Engage Students: Alumni speakers, panels, and interactive formats often help increase student interest and attendance.
- Promotion: Approved events may be promoted through Handshake, Career Center newsletters, and relevant student organizations where appropriate. Employers are also encouraged to share events through their own channels.
- Tabling Events: Tabling opportunities can be coordinated directly through your UVA Career Center contact.
Post full-time jobs, internships, experiential learning opportunities, and early talent programs to reach UVA undergraduate students through Handshake, with additional visibility to select graduate student populations and recent alumni.
Best Practices for Posting Opportunities:
- Visibility & Promotion: Approved opportunities are visible through Handshake and can be strengthened through additional engagement opportunities such as information sessions, coffee chats, career fairs, and networking events.
- Post Early: We recommend posting opportunities as early as possible to maximize student visibility and application engagement.
- Be Specific: Clearly outline position responsibilities, qualifications, preferred majors or skill sets, work location, and application timelines.
- Target Your Audience: Include relevant class years, graduation dates, and areas of study to help students quickly identify opportunities aligned with their interests and experience level.
- Application Process: Include clear application instructions, deadlines, and any required materials such as resumes, transcripts, or cover letters.
- Promote Your Brand: Students are more likely to engage with organizations that provide detailed company descriptions, branding, and insight into company culture and career pathways.
Submit a request to host on-Grounds or virtual interviews with UVA students through the UVA Career Center.
Interviewing Best Practices & Guidelines:
- Review Policies: Employers are encouraged to review UVA’s Recruiting Guidelines, Offer Policies, and Student Code of Conduct prior to participating in recruiting activities.
- Recruiting Standards: Employers recruiting at UVA are expected to adhere to UVA Career Center policies and National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Ethical Professional Practice.
- Offer Guidelines: UVA encourages fair and student-centered recruiting practices. Employers should avoid exploding offers, excessive pressure tactics, or short decision timelines that limit students’ ability to make informed decisions.
- Non-Discrimination Policy: Employers utilizing UVA Career Center services must comply with all applicable non-discrimination laws and UVA recruiting policies.
- Scheduling & Format: Scheduled interviews may be hosted virtually or on Grounds based on employer preference and space availability.
On-Grounds interviews are hosted in our Bryant Hall fourth floor Suites.
Review our recruiting calendar and register for career fairs, networking events, and industry-specific recruiting programs designed to connect employers with UVA students.
Career Fair & Networking Event Best Practices:
- Register Early: Many events fill quickly and early registration provides the greatest opportunity for student visibility and engagement.
- Choose the Right Audience: UVA hosts a variety of fairs and networking events focused on different industries, interests, and student populations to help employers connect with relevant talent.
- Promote Your Attendance: Employers are encouraged to share their participation and open opportunities through their own recruiting channels in addition to Handshake visibility.
- Prepare for Student Engagement: Students attend fairs seeking information about internships, full-time opportunities, recruiting timelines, and company culture. Interactive conversations and alumni representation often increase engagement.
- Build Brand Visibility: Participation in fairs and networking events can help strengthen long-term campus presence and student awareness of your organization.
- Event Logistics: Registered employers will receive additional event details, timelines, parking information, and preparation guidance leading up to the event.
Become a Mentor
Support UVA students by sharing career insights and guidance as a UVA alumni mentor
Micro-Internships & Projects
Engage students through short-term, project-based experiential learning opportunities
Internship Placement Program
Develop future talent through a structured internship partnership with UVA
Events Calendar
Explore upcoming employer engagement and recruiting events happening on Grounds
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are designed to help employers expand their visibility at UVA while building meaningful connections with students throughout the academic year. Sponsorship support helps enhance student programming, career education initiatives, and employer engagement opportunities across Grounds.
