Employer Policies & Handshake Access | UMSL Career Services

Posting Job & Internship Opportunities in Handshake

Job postings must be actual, current openings for internships, cooperative education positions, and/or traditional, W-2 or 1099 full- or part-time employees.

Please note:  The College of Optometry handles their job postings directly.  Please contact Linda Stein, steinli@umsl.edu

Visit our Employer Handshake Information webpage for login information.


Internships

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), an internship is defined as:
“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.”

To ensure that an experience—whether it is a traditional internship or one conducted remotely or virtually—is educational, and thus eligible to be considered a legitimate internship by the NACE definition, all the following criteria must be met: 

  • The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
  • The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
  • The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
  • There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
  • There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
  • There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
  • There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
  • If a position does not meet the above criteria, we will be unable to post it.

 

Unpaid/Volunteer Positions

This site does not post positions that are purely unpaid or volunteer opportunities (unless it is an unpaid internship that meets all internship guidelines listed above.) You may refer local volunteer opportunities to UMSL Student Involvement  for posting possibilities.
 

Private Households

Private households can post paid positions on bulletin boards located in the Career Services office.

 

Third-Party Recruiters 

Because Career Services at the University of Missouri-St. Louis can neither research nor endorse Third Party Recruiting Agencies, the following guidelines have been established for the protection of the students, alumni and UMSL: 

  • When establishing your organization in Handshake, you must indicate “Staffing & Recruiting” as the organization’s industry. (Only St. Louis area agencies or those with St. Louis area opportunities will be approved). 
  • No fees may be charged to applicants at any time. 
  • Information about the hiring employer must be disclosed to applicants prior to an interview. 
  • Student information cannot be disclosed to your employer/client for other than the original recruiting purpose nor can it be sold or provided to other entities. 
  • Solicitation of services to other businesses while on campus grounds is prohibited.  

 

Employment Matching Websites

We do not allow a company access to Handshake when only used to promote a specific job search engine or employment matching service. Examples might include:

  • Sites that match tutors, teachers, nannies, work from home positions, or personal assistant services
  • Job search engine promotion
  • Freelance talent posting services
  • Crowdsourcing, “microtask”, or project completion sites
  • Only positions for employment vacancies within the company will be approved. Advertisements to become a user/registrant on the site will not be approved.

 

Commission Sales Positions

UMSL Career Services will closely review any opportunity that involves any of the following to determine if approved for posting in Handshake:

  • Employee bears financial responsibility for required supplies, equipment, or training
  • Company practices an aggressive sales model
  • Employee manages or owns branch or franchise
  • Compensation is 100% commission
  • Position is not intended for advancement to a full-time opportunity

 

Compensation

Compensation details must clearly state if a position is 100% commission; includes a base salary (if partially commission-based); or clearly state how the participant will be compensated in the job description or the position will not be posted. Internships must be clear if they are paid or unpaid.

Every employer with wage-based positions should comply with minimum wage rates set forth by the United States Department of Labor’s Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Click here to learn more about the Fair Labor Standards Act


Door-to-Door Positions

UMSL Career Services may not approve companies or positions who require a candidate to participate in door-to-door sales, canvassing, or polling.

Fees and/or Equipment

UMSL Career Services prohibits employers from posting positions if candidates are required to pay a fee. Furthermore, companies that require an enrollment fee, start-up cost, tuition/course fees, or the purchase of equipment or inventory for resale are not permitted to use Handshake.

Marijuana-Related Positions

UMSL Career Services will not approve companies or positions whose purpose is to produce, test, distribute, or promote the use of recreational marijuana, medical marijuana, or marijuana-based products (i.e. cannabis, hemp, CBD, etc.). As the use of marijuana is illegal at the federal level and the University of Missouri receives federal funds, we must comply with federal law.

In addition, the use of marijuana violates the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act and continues to be banned on campus (see Drug and Alcohol Policy).

One exception to this policy is in relation to SB 133, signed into law by Governor Parson of Missouri allowing institutions of higher education based in Missouri and research centers directed or operated by such institutions to engage in the research and study of industrial hemp as authorized under the federal Agricultural Act of 2014 or any successor law without being required to obtain a registration.  University of Missouri departments may post student research directly relating to research projects for this purpose.

Soliciting on Campus

In accordance with the University of Missouri Business Policy and Procedure Manual (BPPM), sales and solicitations on campus grounds and in campus buildings by recruiting organizations are prohibited without prior authorization. Examples of sales and solicitations not permitted on campus include:

  • Buying back textbooks
  • Selling merchandise
  • Soliciting subscriptions or business services

 

Brand and Service Promotions

In accordance with the University of Missouri Business Policy and Procedure Manual (BPPM), promotions of services, products, or websites are prohibited on campus to UMSL students or staff without prior authorization. Any position seeking a candidate to promote a product, service, or website to other students on campus will not be posted. Examples include:

  • Campus brand ambassadors
  • Campus managers/reps
  • Campus marketing assistants
  • Selling advertising for student-driven products (apps, coupon services, etc.)

Building relationships with students, faculty and staff can help you gain greater visibility and generate positive hiring outcomes. UMSL Career Services encourages employers to participate in events like career fairs, information tables, and information sessions. Please contact us for more information.

General Information

Read more about Diversity & Inclusion Commitment at UMSL
Employers must abide by employer standards of ethical conduct established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).