Engage and Recruit CLA Students & Graduates
Recruiting success requires consistent involvement, intentional relationship development, and thoughtful brand building. Candidates, especially students, need to know you and see you. The Employer & Alumni Engagement team at CLA Career Services can facilitate connections between your organization and current CLA undergraduate students through a variety of programs and events.
Note: The College of Liberal Arts participates in the one Handshake account for all of the University of Minnesota.
CLA students from all 70+ majors participate in a variety of career fairs throughout the academic year. Reach out to [email protected] if you would like more information about participating in any of the fairs listed below.
CLA Internship & Career Fairs
- CLA Internship & Career Fair (September) - This event connects for-profit, non-profit, and government organizations in many industry sectors with CLA students across all 65+ majors. Employers can connect with liberal arts students and recent alumni who are exploring internship, volunteer, and full-time opportunities. CLA students also attend this event to develop and practice networking skills, and to get advice about internships, volunteer positions, and full-time careers.
- Fall Business & Tech Internship & Career Fair (September) - This event is hosted by the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) and the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD). Students interested in business, sales, human resources, and technology are invited to attend. This event is open to all colleges at the university.
Other Career Fairs & Events on Campus
- Government & Nonprofit Career Fair (October) - Connect with candidates and alumni from 30 Minnesota 4-year colleges, universities, and regional colleges. Hosted at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, the College of Liberal Arts boasts the highest student turnout.
- University of Minnesota Job & Internship Fair (February) - The university’s largest recruiting event of the year. The UMN Job & Internship Fair is open to all current degree-seeking UMN students and alumni of three years. The College of Liberal Arts consistently has the highest student participation at this fair.
Visit the Career Fair Calendar for a full list of University of Minnesota fairs.
You can request interview space in our Interview Center for full-time positions that require a bachelor’s degree or for internships that require students to be working toward a bachelor’s degree.
Request interview rooms and manage interview schedules with Handshake.
Submit requests early because space fills quickly. To request a date, create an account in Handshake and go to the "On-Campus Interviews" section from your home dashboard, then click on "Request Interview Schedule." CLA Employer Engagement staff will be in touch with you to coordinate details after your request has been received.
CLA Pre-Internship Projects
In order for students to be competitive for future internships, it's important that they gain career experience early in their college experience. CLA offers pre-internship projects as a stepping stone to future internships and career opportunities. Projects are short-term (1 week) and are completed by a small team of students. Learn how your organization can host a team of CLA students for a Pre-Internship Project.
Projects from the Maroon & Gold Network
If you or someone in your organization is an alumni, post on Projects from the Maroon & Gold Network, the university’s online alumni networking platform where you can connect exclusively with UMN students.
Parker Dewey Micro Internships
Employers can also post projects on Parker Dewey, a third party vendor, open to college students across the nation.
Career Treks
CLA Career Services hosts Career Treks to local organizations, providing students with industry insights through tours, presentations, and networking. These events showcase your organization, build your brand, and highlight the diverse career paths available to students completing a liberal arts degree. If you would like more information about CLA’s Career Trek programming, contact [email protected].
Career Development Programming
We have a mix of virtual and in-person events in a variety of formats such as panels, workshops, drop-in resume reviews, and more! To express interest in volunteer opportunities for fall and spring semester, contact [email protected].
We have a mix of virtual and in-person events in a variety of formats such as panels, workshops, drop-in resume reviews, and more! To express interest in volunteer opportunities for fall and spring semester, contact [email protected].
The University of Minnesota has hundreds of student organizations. Contact these student-led clubs to inquire about presenting at one of their meetings or co-hosting an event. You can focus on CLA-affiliated groups specifically, or tap into the entire range of groups across the University.
Sponsoring career events or resources is a great way to build brand awareness. Financial gifts of all sizes benefit CLA students and increase your organization’s name recognition. Speak with the Associate Director of Employer & Alumni Engagement about your goals and interests.
Share advice and insights with current students through a feature in one of CLA’s eight career field newsletters. To share your employer stories and/or alumni stories, please let us know by emailing [email protected].
Want to help but not sure where to start? Let us know your interests in supporting the career development of CLA students by completing this brief information form.
The University of Minnesota Alumni Association’s Maroon and Gold Network is a free online platform that allows you to offer career advice to current UMN students and alumni.
Join the CLA LinkedIn group to network with more than 8,000 members.
Connect with more alumni activities through CLA Alumni Relations and through the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.