Syracuse University’s Career Development Center took a huge step forward this fall by replacing the outdated OrangeLink interface with its modern alternative, Handshake.

As internship season kicks into full gear, so does the stress and frustration many students face when trying to find the perfect job. Career fairs can be overwhelming, so tools such as Handshake, a user-friendly platform to connect businesses, students and alumni, can simplify the process.

Michael LaMarche, director of the CDC, said 6,000 students have already joined the program.

But participation should be higher. Students should sign up because Handshake shows you opportunities that fit your interests and qualifications. In the past, finding an internship meant sifting through listings that didn’t apply to your interests, or items that exceeded your qualifications.

On average, 70 percent of students at schools that use Handshake have an active profile one year after the service is introduced to campus, said LaMarche. More than nine million students actively use the website, and users can connect with other students in their major to see what internships they’ve had.

Embedded photo credit:

Laura Angle | Digital Design Editor

And it’s accessible — with both an Android and Apple application, the interface can travel with you in an easy way. Users can set notifications for when job opportunities arise in certain areas or for certain fields.

But, so far, it seems like students aren’t taking full advantage of this feature.

“Only 10 percent of SU users are mobile users so far,” LaMarche said.

No one wants another junk app to take up space on their phones, but this one might just jumpstart your future.

If you haven’t signed up, do it. If you haven’t downloaded the app, get it. This brand new interface is free, easy to use and miles ahead of the online resources SU students have had in the past. There’s no excuse for you not to land that dream internship this summer.

Patrick Linehan is a sophomore newspaper and online journalism, policy studies and economics major. His column runs biweekly. He can be contacted at pjlineha@syr.edu.

Published on September 26, 2018 at 7:54 pm