COBI Business Career Programs introduces new Handshake software for students, then wins Innovation award

UT COBI’s Business Career Programs office already has remarkable success in finding jobs for our students, resulting in a 93% job placement rate for our graduating seniors.

But recent implementation of new software known as Handshake will further enhance the internship/job acquisition process for COBI students.

“This is very cutting edge, and very valuable for our students.  We are truly excited,” explained Craig Turner, Career Advisor and Employer Relations for Undergraduate Students. “Handshake is a platform to more opportunities for our students as they post their profiles. Companies that we never had access to before that use this software include PayPal, Pepsi, Chevron, Dow Jones, Exon Mobile, Samsung and Berkshire Hathaway.”

Left to right: Craig Turner, Career Advisor and Employer Relations for Undergraduate Students; Dr. Terribeth Gordon- Moore, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Administration in the College of Business and Innovation; Carol Stamm, Employer Relations and Job Development Specialist; Alison DeVolder, Secretary.

“Within the first two weeks of launching this software, we had over 119 qualified jobs and 456 approved employers on board,” Turner said. “The exciting piece is that within hours we had students establishing their profiles and applying for numerous positions.”

“We are also receiving positive feedback from our current recruiters that are already using Handshake as they have a single sign on experience, and can more easily post their positions and engage with students. This intuitive program utilizes over 165,000 recruiters, and more than 100,000 companies, which includes 95% of the Fortune 500.”

Turner explained that Handshake is accessible to all COBI students, who very quickly uploaded hundreds of active profiles.

“The exciting piece is that within hours we had students establishing their profiles and applying for numerous positions. This program will widen our student’s access to job opportunities all over the country as well as locally,” he said. “Furthermore, there is already an Apple app for mobile access, and will soon be an Android app. The Handshake program is also available to COBI alumni.”

“While Handshake is an amazing program that provides new opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Terribeth Gordon-Moore, Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Administration in the College of Business and Innovation, “it is also just one more component of our High Tech, High Touch philosophy of helping COBI students launch and build their professional lives. We strive to provide career concierge services to all our students, and connecting them with employers and recruiters for internships and jobs through programs like Handshake is extremely important.”

Business Career Programs won the COBI Innovation Award for the past academic year, in part for their successful introduction of the Handshake program.

“The award is based on our work in the college and its outcome for our students,” Turner said. “We believe that innovation is key within the College of Business and Innovation, and we are the first ones to receive and use Handshake within the UT community. The platform is used by several hundred colleges and by some 1,200 companies.  It is a mutual relationship which helps our students.”

“We need to be innovative about what we do for our students,” Turner said, “and this is a great tool. We are setting the standard for other University of Toledo colleges and the Center of Experiential Learning and Career Services as they join this inaugural program.”