Recruit at UWL
A page within Academic Advising Center & Career Services


Recruit at UWL
- Community Portal - Seek an intern, volunteer or help on a project or research proposal from a UWL student or faculty member
- Fast Facts about UWL
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- Explore La Crosse - Hotel & Regional Information
- UW-La Crosse Campus Map
- Printable Campus Map
- Student Organizations
- La Crosse Employers Only: The Greater La Crosse Area Diversity Council (GLADC)
- Membership is indicated on your employer profile in Handshake. Please contact GLADC for more information.
- Employer Policies & Procedures
Employers – Please contact Rebecca Lee, rlee@uwlax.edu, to have your name added to the invitation list for future career events.
Before you are able to post positions at UWL, you must first create an account on Handshake. Here is a guide for creating an employer account.
Once your account is created, you can begin to connect with universities and post positions. To learn more about posting positions, click here.
- UWL Campus Employers: PLEASE follow the format “UW-La Crosse “Office Name” when creating an account.
What is Handshake?
Handshake is an online career management system that allows employers to connect with hundreds of other campuses around the country in addition to UW-La Crosse.
Benefits of Using Handshake
- Free for employers
- All UWL students have access
- Allows them to search for part-time, internship, and full-time positions
- Nearly 75% of career services offices across the country use Handshake
- Ability to post one job to multiple campuses in one system with one login and password
Career events at UWL
UW-La Crosse hosts an all-majors fair each semester for employers to recruit interns and permanent employees. There are also part-time job fairs each semester and other major-specific career events.
Fall 2023 Events
All events are free for students.
Employer Registration for Fall 2023 Events is open through Handshake.
- Accounting Career Fair
Monday, Sept. 25, 2023, 3-5 p.m., The Bluffs, Student Union - Fall Career & Internship Fair - this fair has a waiting list
Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., The Bluffs, Student Union
Employer Registration for Spring 2024 Events will open Dec. 1 through Handshake.
- Spring Career & Internship Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 - Western WERF (Wisconsin Education Recruitment Fair)
Friday, March 15, 2024 - Summer & Part-Time Job Fair
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
How to participate: Employer registration for all of our fairs is through Handshake. Click on the appropriate fair through the buttons under “Upcoming Career Fairs.” After you have completed the form, it will be reviewed by an administrator. You should receive a confirmation within 1-2 days. Please contact Rebecca Lee, rlee@uwlax.edu, for registration assistance or to have your name added to the invitation list for future career events.
PLEASE NOTE: You will receive a confirmation email from Handshake. A reminder is also sent 1 week prior to the event.
Employers may request an on-campus interview schedule through Handshake. Click on the “Request an Interview” button from the home page. You will be asked a number of questions to help us fulfill your request. After you have completed the form, it will be reviewed by an administrator.
Interviews can be requested for weekdays throughout the academic year; however, we recommend avoiding days leading up to major holidays, during midterms or finals, and during spring break. You can find a list of those dates through the Academic Calendar.
UWL Internship Program Overview for Employers
The UW-La Crosse Internship Program is one of the largest programs in the UW-System and features regional and national opportunities. All internships (and jobs) are posted through Handshake and available to ALL UWL students. FREE for all employers!
The popularity of the program is due to the flexibility for employers as well as students. Although some internships follow the timeline for academic semesters (fall, spring and summer), others are part-time, year round or for a specified time frame to complete a special project. Employers may request the timeline that best suits their needs and may specify their preference for certain majors. Employers who wish to discuss an idea for an internship may contact one of our Career Services staff members.
Employer Benefits
- Identify potential new employees
- Meet short term and special project needs
- Support the university community and increase your company's visibility on campus
- Reduce your recruitment and training costs through potential retention of interns
Steps for Establishing an Internship and Hiring an Intern
In order for an internship to be advertised to students, employers are required to post in Handshake. When posting internships in Handshake, they can select one of three ways to receive applications:
- Students can submit their resume through Handshake. This method gives employers the ability to view applicant resumes online or to receive the resumes of all applicants as a bundle that is emailed out following the expiration (deadline) date for the position. Employers can then review applicants and contact them directly to schedule interviews.
- Students can apply directly to the employer via the employer's own website, email, mail, or other method specified by the employer. Employers can then contact applicants directly to schedule interviews.
- Employers can schedule on-campus interviews and have students apply and schedule interviews through Handshake. Employers interested in on-campus interviews should contact Rebecca Lee in Career Services at 608.785.8362 for additional information.
Students who accept an internship may have the option to receive academic credit for the experience. If a student chooses to receive credit for an internship. the employer will be required to complete an employer evaluation at the mid-term and at the end of the semester.
Recruiting Timeline
Internships can be posted at any time throughout the year. However, the largest pool of candidates will be available prior to the start of each academic term (preferable one semester prior to start date). We encourage you to post your internship as early as possible.
Intern Compensation
The UWL Internship Program works with employers who offer both paid and unpaid internships. However, in some high demand fields, employers will find it necessary to offer paid positions in order to attract candidates. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division has re-examined the criteria for unpaid internships. Employers should consider the following criteria when considering unpaid internships.
Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division Criteria for an Unpaid Internship*.
*The National Association of Colleges and Employers recommends the following standard definition of "internship":
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent.
Talent Generator in Wisconsin: Tap Into the Higher Education Pipeline. Here’s Everything You Need to Know to Establish a Successful Internship Program
Talent Attraction Toolkit: La Crosse Chamber of Commerce
Student Employer Connection Guide - Greater Dubuque Development Corp & Dubuque Works