Welcome back, Broncos! Winter break gave us time to rest, reset, and maybe even forget what day of the week it was. As campus comes back to life and syllabi start rolling in, this first week of the semester is the perfect time to set the tone, not just for your classes, but for your future career too.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to have everything figured out. You just need one strong habit, and the Career Center makes it easy.
The habit? Actively using Handshake.
Handshake is more than just a job board, it’s your personalized connection to internships, part-time jobs, employer engagement events, workshops, and employers who want to hire CPP students specifically. But the key is using it with intention, not just utilizing it at the last minute when you’re stressed or in a time crunch.
Start simple this week:
- Log into Handshake and update your profile, even a little goes a long way.
- Favorite roles, industries, or companies, that spark your interest, even if you feel “unready”.
- Register for one event this semester: a workshop, info session, or employer engagement event.
That’s it. One login. One update. One event.
Why does this matter so early in the semester? Because career growth works best when it’s consistent and low-pressure. Students who regularly engage with Handshake tend to feel more confident, more prepared, and less overwhelmed when internship and job deadlines approach. Instead of scrambling later, you’re building momentum now.
And if you’re thinking, “I’m only a first year” or “I don’t know what to do yet”, that’s actually the best time to start. Handshake helps you explore not just commit. It’s a space to learn what’s out there, what excites you, and what skills you want to build next.
This semester will move fast, but taking 20 minutes during your first week investing in your career can pay off for years to come.
So welcome back. Open Handshake. Take one step at a time.
Your future self will thank you.
