Upcoming Career Events
- The Career & Internship Expo on September 11, 2024 is newly rebranded and has a focus on career exploration and experiential learning, in addition to supporting typical job and internship recruitment opportunities. There is a $25 early bird discount if you register by August 11.
- The WU Health Care Career Fair on October 9, 2024 is for our students going into a health care field or looking into pursuing a degree and career in health care. There is a $25 discount if you register for this fair and the Career & Internship Expo.
Join us to meet Washburn University students and Topeka jobseekers!
Contact Career Engagement
Effective August 12, 2024 – The Career Engagement Office is located in the Plass Learning Resources Center, suite 219. Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Career Engagement is open during class breaks except for University holidays.
Washburn Career Engagement Information and Guidelines for Employers
Perhaps the greatest tribute to Washburn University is the success of its graduates. Washburn alumni hold prestigious positions in diverse areas such as communications, industry, finance, education, and government. We are confident Washburn students and alumni can meet your employment needs. At WU Career Engagement, we are committed to helping you locate these individuals.
- Register for Career Events
- Post Jobs and Internships
- Search Student Resumes
- Schedule Interviews on Campus
- Request an On-Campus Information Session
Employers new to Handshake should read this article on Getting Started with Handshake, then create their account and connect to Washburn University to begin posting your opportunities.
To access Handshake, use links on this page or your already existing Handshake account login. NOTE: Individuals and families may not post on Handshake, but may submit flyers to post on the Career Engagement bulletin board. We recommend also posting on Care.com, a free resource we recommend to students for seeking individual care and assistance part-time positions.
Principles for Ethical Professional Practice (2017) from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). Employers recruiting at Washburn University are expected to abide by the Principles and the Washburn University non-discrimination policy.
Professional Standards for University Relations and Recruiting from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) (pdf will open in new window)
Departments at Washburn work with internships in different ways. The departments of education, social work, allied health, and the School of Nursing place interns as part of the required academic program. For other departments, students locate their own internships. Some departments require internships, others do not.
To hire an intern, please first post the internship on Handshake. If the internship is specific to a particular major, Career Engagement will forward to the department for further distribution to students in that department after the internship is posted.
Remember that you need to follow fair and equitable recruitment practices, which includes making your internship available to all qualified applicants. Posting on Handshake will fulfill that requirement. Directly contacting a faculty member will not. Most departments will refer you back to us to post your internships on Handshake.
Washburn expects internships to meet the definition of internship as developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as linked below. Not all part-time opportunities will qualify as internships! Please be sure that you are in compliance with U.S. Department of Labor regulations regarding internships.
UNPAID INTERNSHIPS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED in light of recent litigation.
- NACE Position Statement on U.S. Internships – includes a definition of Internship - Washburn is a NACE member institution and expects employers to abide by the NACE expectations for internships
- Department of Labor Internship Guidelines: Fact Sheet #71
- Guide to Starting and Maintaining a Quality Internship Program
- "How to Do Internships the Right Way" from SHRM Blog
- Kansas Microinternship Program
Career & Graduate School Fair – September
- Information for Employers
- Information for Graduate Programs
Health Care Career Fair – October/November
Education Interview Day – Fall and Spring
Spring Career Fair – February
To register for a Campus Career Event, search your Handshake account for Washburn events.
- Request interview schedules on Handshake, including info sessions (request info session as an event in Handshake)
- Positions for which you will interview must be posted on Handshake
- Parking is free and arranged by Career Engagement
- Lunch is free for the recruiter
- Pre-screened and open schedules
- No charge for recruiting on campus
- If you wish, Career Engagement will invite selected faculty to have lunch with you
Reasonable Offer Deadline Guidelines - from the NACE Principles for Professional Practice Committee
Career Engagement can serve as a liaison in contacting specific faculty members or student organizations
Notice of Non-Discrimination: Washburn University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or marital or parental status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Pamela Foster, Equal Opportunity Director, Washburn University, 1700 SW College Ave, Topeka, Kansas 66621, 785-670-1509, eodirector@washburn.edu. Employers recruiting at Washburn University must comply with the campus non-discrimination policy.
Are Employers Required to Interview International Students? Info from NACE
As a member school of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), Washburn University requires employers to abide by the NACE Principles for Ethical Professional Practice (2017).
