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Campus Connections

Are you seeking opportunities to engage with UT students and expand your presence on campus? Job fairs, on-campus interviews, and posting in Handshake are integral first steps, but the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration offers more than that! The list below outlines various options for connecting with students. Contact us at career@utk.edu or 865-974-5435 to discuss these opportunities.

Employer of the Week in the Student Union

Employer of the Week is a great way to get your organization name in front of a wide variety of students in a casual setting. Through this free program, employers set up a booth in the Student Union to share opportunities and showcase their brand. The Student Union is a great spot for employers who are recruiting a wide variety of majors or are recruiting specific majors outside of the Haslam College of Business. To request a date, fill out this form

Haslam College of Business Employer of the Day

This program is designed as a casual networking opportunity where students can drop in and talk with employers as they have time in between classes.  This is a great way for employers to connect with undergraduate business students and build their brand on campus.  We will offer two EOD options this fall:  On-Site (in the Haslam Atrium) and Virtual (via the platform of your choice), on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, each from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM EST.  EOD is a free program, but employers who come to campus are responsible for paying for their own parking.  Registration is now open via this link.


Career Conversations

These four to five person panel events feature different industries and employment sectors. Offerings include STEM, arts/media/communications, business sectors, and more. Through these panels, you will have a chance to share your career path, showcase your organization or company, and provide advice to students exploring career options. Career Coaches plan specific panels per semester and will reach out to appropriate companies based on the industry topic.

Student Group Guest Speakers

The University of Tennessee has over 600 registered student organizations, which you can search through on VOLink. If you are interested in connecting with a specific student organization, whether professional, social, or academic, our Employer Development team will connect you to the appropriate Career Coach.**These opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on the needs of the individual student groups.


Resume Review Days/Prepare for the Fair

In the weeks leading up to our fall and spring job fairs, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration hosts a day of drop-in resume critiques featuring employer reviewers. Meet students from all majors and years in school and share your expertise.

Smokey’s Closet

In conjunction with the Student Government Association, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration provides students with a free professional clothing closet prior to our fall job fairs and interviewing season. Employers are utilized to assist students with clothing combinations and provide advice on appropriate professional attire while they are shopping at the Closet.

VOLTreks

VOLTreks provides a unique opportunity for University of Tennessee students to increase their awareness of career possibilities by visiting organizations and exploring various industries and careers. A small group of students (~30) will have the chance to engage with professionals, tour the facility and gain insight into the industry. Site visits will typically last anywhere from two to four hours.

Office Hours

If you are interested in connecting with a targeted group of students or sharing more about your organization, opportunities, and brand, then office hours might be the right choice for you. Office hours are typically short 10-30 minute individual meetings with students and can be set up on a drop-in basis or as pre-scheduled slots. Coaches can help you target specific groups of students and provide advice on the best time frames and dates.

Big Orange Shadowing Program 

Big Orange Shadow is a week of job shadowing in January for students across the state of Tennessee and virtually. For more information about the shadowing program and to access the interest form, visit the Big Orange Shadow webpage. Companies, recruiters, alumni, and parents and family members are all welcome to engage in this opportunity


Diversity Initiatives: LGBTQ Mixer, Veterans Networking Night, and more

The Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration hosts various diversity-related career events throughout the year. The center has hosted an LGBTQ Mixer, Disability Mentoring Day, Veterans Networking Night, identity-specific VolTreks and mingles, and more. To learn more about our upcoming diversity events, contact our office.

Graduate Student Workshops and Panels

In partnership with The Graduate School and The Tennessee Teaching and Learning Center, the Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration hosts various panels, mixers, and networking events for graduate students throughout the year. If you are specifically looking to recruit graduate students and would like to serve on a panel or engage with this population, contact us.


UT Alumni are welcome back at all of our job fairs and events. Visit the UT Alumni Career Development page to learn more about engaging with UT alumni.


We offer several ways for companies and organizations that are not able to visit Knoxville to connect with students virtually. Please email us at career@utk.edu to explore possibilities or schedule a remote event.
Virtual Information Sessions 

These events are similar to traditional on-campus information sessions, but are delivered via Zoom, Skype, or other virtual platforms. 

Virtual Office Hours  

Employers can set up virtual office hours through Handshake. Similar to in-person office hours, recruiters would be available to answer student questions about the company and available positions, and students would either pre-schedule a time to chat or companies would create a virtual waiting room and students could drop in and out. A more informal version of office hours could even be done through social media; hosting a Facebook or Instagram Live could be a casual way to meet students. 

Virtual Career Panels  

Many of our events center around industry areas. If your company would like to host a panel on a specific topic or industry area, please contact us to brainstorm ideas. Examples may include: What is it like to work in Banking? or Careers in Social Services.

Virtual Workshops

If you have expertise in a specific career area (interviewing, cover letters, salary negotiation, etc.), we would be please to include your pre-recorded presentation in our Video Library and share with students. These workshops could be focused on a specific career related topic and include a little bit about your company and the positions you recruit for.

Virtual Interviews

We have two interview rooms with virtual interview technology installed. Additionally, we can assist in managing your virtual interview and selection process through Handshake.

Virtual Resources
Virtual Career Fair Playbook for Employers

Help Article: Handshake Video Requirements & Troubleshooting

View Handshake’s guide on How to Recruit Early Talent from Home.