knowledge/02_campus_recruiting.md

# Campus recruiting — how universities and companies hire early talent

![Campus recruiting timeline](/career-sources/campus-recruiting-timeline.png)

## How employers recruit college talent (general pattern)

From NACE recruiting benchmarks and Job Outlook reporting:

- Most early-talent employers still rely heavily on **direct campus recruiting** (career fairs, info sessions, campus interviews).
- **Career services partnerships** matter: branding on campus, faculty/department relationships, and campus events.
- Recruiting is no longer “fall only” — a meaningful share of full-time and internship hiring continues into **spring**.
- Offer timing can stretch; students often decide within about **1–2 weeks** once an offer arrives.

Sources:
- [NACE 2025 Recruiting Benchmarks Report (executive summary)](https://naceweb.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2025/publication/executive-summary/nace-2025-recruiting-benchmarks-report-executive-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=c0e2a5c1_5)
- [Job Outlook 2026 Spring Update](https://naceweb.org/research/reports/2026/job-outlook/spring-update)

## Channels students should use (in priority order for most undergrads)

1. **Handshake** (campus postings + employer events)
2. **University career services** (advising, fairs, employer info sessions)
3. **LinkedIn** (alumni + recruiter outreach; Easy Apply carefully)
4. **Official company university / students pages** (applications + program timelines)
5. **Faculty, clubs, and prior supervisors** (referrals and recommendations)

## University career centers (examples)

| University | Career hub |
|------------|------------|
| University of Colorado Boulder | https://www.colorado.edu/career/ |
| UCLA Career Center | https://career.ucla.edu/ |
| Dartmouth Center for Career Design | https://careerdesign.dartmouth.edu/ |
| UConn Career Readiness | https://career.uconn.edu/ |
| Washington University in St. Louis — Career Engagement | https://careers.washu.edu/ |
| Bucknell Center for Career Advancement | https://careercenter.bucknell.edu/ |

## Employer university recruiting pages (examples)

Use these as **official** program entry points (dates change yearly — always verify on the page):

| Employer | University / students recruiting |
|----------|-----------------------------------|
| Google | https://careers.google.com/students/ |
| Microsoft | https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/universityrecruiting |
| Amazon | https://www.amazon.jobs/en/teams/university-recruiting |
| Meta | https://www.metacareers.com/students |
| Apple | https://www.apple.com/careers/us/students.html |
| Deloitte (US students) | https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/careers/articles/join-deloitte-as-a-student.html |
| PwC | https://www.pwc.com/us/en/careers/entry-level.html |
| Goldman Sachs | https://www.goldmansachs.com/careers/students |
| JPMorgan Chase | https://careers.jpmorgan.com/us/en/students |
| Capital One | https://www.capitalonecareers.com/university |

## Student playbook

- Map your **fall fair → apply → screen → interview → offer** timeline on a calendar.
- Treat company “University” pages as source of truth for deadlines.
- After every fair: 24-hour follow-up note + Handshake/LinkedIn connection.
- Track everything: Wishlist → Applied → Interview → Offer.