DavisConnects Employer Engagement Team is here to help you recruit for your internships, full-time roles, and research opportunities.
Colby has a long history of producing exceptionally talented writers, thinkers, analysts, communicators, creators, teammates, leaders, and community members. Our graduates go on to lead extraordinary lives and build careers of accomplishment. Even more, they make a significant impact on their employers. Our experience has shown that employers, once they’ve hired a Colby student, keep coming back for more.
800+ employers recruit with us
Recruit Colby Talent this Spring
Colby College 2025 Recruitment Day: February 25th, 2024 from 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
If you have an internship or full-time opportunity open for application on February 25th we invite you to come to Campus to meet Colby students. Register Today!
On-Campus Interviews January 13th – March 14th 2025
We invite you to come to Campus to Interview Candidates for your internships and/or full-time opportunities. We provide interview rooms and candidate rotation for your convenience.
We work closely with our employer partners to ensure that they meet their recruiting objectives.
As a Colby recruiting partner, employers can:
- Post an opportunity on Handshake— or we can do it for you
- Join our signature, multi-employer recruiting events or Career Fair
- Host your own recruiting events; Info Sessions, Workshops, Coffee Chats, Interviews (Both Virtual & InPerson)
- Sponsor co-curricular projects, case competitions, hackathons, data fests, or micro-internships
We believe in making it easy for our employer partners to recruit at Colby College by:
- Collaborating with Bates and Bowdoin to give you the largest possible audience of talented and engaged students in a single evening
- Building your talent brand on our campuses through co-promotion with student clubs, faculty, coaches, class deans, and other campus partners
- Designing bespoke events tailored for the students you’d most like to attract
DavisConnects utilizes Handshake as its campus career management platform. Handshake is a web-based portal for publicizing bona fide full-time, part-time, seasonal, and short-term positions and other recruiting activities for small and large businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and on-campus employers. Employers are expected to be fully transparent when describing their organizations and posting information on Handshake. Handshake access also allows employers to remain up to date with campus activities, recruitment events, career fair registrations, and submitting requests for campus interviews and information sessions.
All job/Internship listings should have a start date, end date, starting salary, accurate position description of the responsibilities, expectations, requirements, and relevant details regarding steps in the application process. Employer information must be fully completed including physical address, contact information, and functioning website. Please allow 3-5 business days for employer registration and/or job listing approvals. It is the employer’s responsibility to refresh job listings as needed and to close listings that have been filled.
Handshake Requirements – Employer Accounts
Employers requesting to connect with Colby on Handshake must possess all the following minimum requirements:
- Organization name.
- A full physical street address and phone number (residential/private addresses cannot be accepted) that must be easily identifiable as a place of business.
- Full name of organizational contact.
- Corporate email address associated with the organization website domain (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc. will not be accepted). Individual contact names and email addresses should match whenever possible.
- Registered business license in the state of business or city they are in.
- A functioning website that clearly relates to your employer/organization and contains helpful information about your company for the potential applicant; the website should not be in a prelaunch/beta phase nor contain “coming soon” language. Social media sites (Facebook pages, LinkedIn, personal blogs, Twitter feeds, etc.) will not be accepted.
Handshake Requirements – Job/Internship Postings
All job and internship listings are approved at the discretion of DavisConnects, and we reserve the right to decline and/or remove a posting if it does not appear to support the best interests of students, alumni, and/or the university. Prohibited postings include, but are not limited to:
- Postings that discriminate against applicants based on race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability, gender, or other protected classes.
- Postings that require an investment of cash or other purchases (i.e., application fees, membership fees, refundable deposits, investments, purchase of training materials, or listings that offer items/services for sale).
- Postings that require personal information at the time of application, such as bank and social security numbers.
- Postings that involve on-campus solicitation or promotion, posting of materials, or sale of products and services as a condition of employment (i.e. campus ambassador or related positions).
- Postings from organizations who place and organize volunteer abroad positions.
- Postings for personal service-oriented opportunities such as babysitting, gardening, private tutoring, pet/house sitting, or other jobs where an employee will work out of someone else’s dwelling (house, apartment, etc.).
- Postings from organizations recruiting volunteer opportunities.
- Anonymous postings and/or postings submitted by third-party recruiters who do not identify themselves as such and/or do not provide us with their client contact information.
- Postings from businesses that pay students in Bitcoin/cryptocurrency/blockchain.
- Postings that are deemed misrepresented, fraudulent, and/or contain dishonest or absent information.
- Postings that breach confidentiality as required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
- Postings that fail to meet the DavisConnects Recruiting Guidelines or include any violation of Colby College’s rules and regulations, and/or local, state, or federal laws.
- DavisConnects accepts international positions offered by multinational companies with locations in the United States of America.
- Commission-based positions may be posted on Handshake only under the condition that the employer meets the following guidelines:
- Employers must disclose that compensation is based partially or solely on commission.
- Employers must disclose that the opportunity is running one’s own business through a franchise.
- Training and/or materials must not require the payment of non-refundable fees.
- The recruitment of others must not be a requirement for any part of compensation.
- Salary ranges must be listed from the minimum range ($0.00) up to the maximum range (max cap salary for the position).
- Part-time and internship positions must not have a salary that is 100% commission.
Job Posting requests on Handshake must adhere to the following:
- Position description should be detailed with a thorough overview of responsibilities and explanation of qualifications, general areas of expertise, and experience needed to qualify for the position.
- Posting must clearly state the salary or range of salary if a compensated position.
- Postings offering paid positions must pay at least the applicable federal, state or local minimum wage (calculated over any time scale such as hourly, weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, or annually).
- Postings must clearly outline any requirements for new hires to pay fees for certain federal and state licensing requirements (e.g. real estate, securities, etc.).
- All steps for the application process must also be stated, giving necessary contact information.
- Company profile information must be complete and accurate including a functioning email address, website, and physical location.
To Share opportunities (Internships, Research opportunities & Full Time Positions) with our talented Mules, please contact DavisConnects by completing the form below. You’ll be joining the many partners who have learned firsthand why Colby Students are uniquely qualified to solve the World’s most complex challenges.
JanPlan is a minimum 100-hours internship that runs throughout the course of the Jan Plan Term each year.
This is a perfect opportunity to get a project(s) done that you do not have the time to complete while allowing a student(s) to gain new skills and learn more about your industry. It is also a great way to have a potential full-time or summer intern candidate work, learn, and see if they are a good match for the role prior to summer.
If you have any questions about Jan Plan please reach out to Carolyn Anderson Gallagher (canderso@colby.edu or 207.859.4145)
DavisConnects Funding FAQ for Employers Please find our FAQ for employers around our funding and funding practices. Questions? Email Scott Lamer splamer@colby.edu.
Looking to Connect to the Colby Community? This is also a great place to post any role requiring 2+ years of experience.
The Colby Professional Networking Group offers a forum for members of the Colby community to share information, connect with fellow-members, and promote the improved access of information that can enhance the lives and prospects of fellow CPNG members. Alumni, students, Colby parents, faculty, and staff are invited to join the group. As a member of CPNG you agree to share information about your skill set, experience, workplace, or professional development with other members. Members are encouraged to promote hiring and program access, offer support to fellow members, and help bridge accessibility gaps wherever they exist. Thank you for participating in the Colby Professional Networking Group and for your openness to creating relationships within the Colby community that support the expansion of the Colby network wherever there is an opportunity to serve our common interests.
Please note that contact information shared on your profile and your CPNG member status will be noted with the College. Moderators of the group reserve the right to limit self-promotion and delete divisive, hateful, or off-color posts, and to block users if necessary.
Our highest priority is ensuring that both students and employers enjoy an equitable and successful recruiting environment. As such, we hold both parties to the highest ethical standards. Behavior by any participant found to be illegal or inappropriate will result in an immediate, temporary, or permanent ban from any or all of our services. Additionally, we reserve the right to refuse service if an organization has any unresolved investigations, complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau or for any inappropriate or egregious behavior as determined by the DavisConnects Employer Engagement Team and our campus community. These penalties, which include the removal of job postings, can be invoked at any time, with or without explanation. Our guidelines for defining illegal and inappropriate behavior are the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines, the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Ethical Professional Practice and Advisory Opinion: Career Centers Should Not Select Students for Employers, the policies and guidelines on this page, and, always, common sense. DavisConnects reserves the right to decline any employer or job posting at our sole discretion with or without explanation. Questions regarding our policies and guidelines can be directed to the Employer Engagement Team.
Exclusive Collaboration: Employers seeking to recruit our students must do so exclusively through DavisConnects. This ensures that all opportunities are vetted and aligned with our values and educational mission, and Statement of Inclusion.
Centralized Access: All job postings, career fairs, and recruitment events will be coordinated and hosted by DavisConnects. This centralization streamlines the recruitment process for both employers and students while maintaining transparency and equal access to opportunities.
Club Engagement: While we value the involvement of student clubs and organizations in the career development process, direct recruitment by employers through clubs is not permitted. Instead, clubs are encouraged to collaborate with DavisConnects to host events and workshops that complement our overall career development initiatives.
All organizations that transact in legal business and in accordance with our Recruiting Guidelines and Policies, are welcome and invited to recruit through DavisConnects. We are not able to cull out certain organizations or industries based on individual student values. Different students have different preferences, values, and opinions. If a particular organization or industry does not align with your values or beliefs, it may align with another group of students. Please be sensitive that this practice allows us to offer the widest array of employment opportunities for all students.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
The federal government prohibits higher education institutions from discriminating on the basis of race, color, or national origin (Title VI, Civil Rights Act of 1964); gender (Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972); or disability, veteran status, or age (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). Colby College’s non- discrimination policy is consistent with the law and includes additional protected categories:
Colby College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, disability, status as a veteran, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, or other school administered programs.
Employers using DavisConnects’s services (including job postings and student interviewing) are required to abide by Colby’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy which applies to any individuals who have expressed an interest in applying or have submitted an application for employment or enrollment as a student. In addition, employers recruiting Colby students through on-campus or other processes are expected to follow the Equal Employment Opportunity guidelines, set out by the NACE Professional Standards for University Relations and Recruiting.
In addition to these policies, external evidence, such as negative publicity or social media, that reveals such discrimination, hate speech, or disrespectful or bullying behavior, as determined by Colby College’s DavisConnects in its sole discretion, may be taken into consideration. DavisConnects reserves the right to refuse engaging with any organization for any reason at any time.
We expect all employers that recruit at Colby to abide by our Interview and Employment Offer Guidelines. Allowing student candidates enough time to make an informed decision serves the interests of both candidates and employers. We strongly encourage employers to permit students to participate in recruitment activities and allow student candidates sufficient time to explore their career options before deciding whether or not to accept offers for internships or full-time employment. If a student decides to accept an employment offer for a full-time position or an internship within the specified timeframe (i.e., prior to the stated deadline), that is their prerogative.
The dates outlined below are our recommended time frame for acceptances. DavisConnects strongly discourages any practices that may pressure students in forgoing the entirety of the recruiting cycle. Tactics, such as time-limited “exploding offers”, that attempt to force students to make decisions before they have had an opportunity to fully explore opportunities are inappropriate. DavisConnects also strongly discourages other high pressure tactics, including but not limited to monetary bonuses or deadlines prior to those stated below is highly discouraged.
If Employers choose not to follow these guidelines as outlined in this document, Colby College’s DavisConnects will not enforce Recruiting Policies for Students with regard to reneging on accepted offers.
All employment offers should be made in good faith. We strongly encourage employers to work with DavisConnects if an offer is to be rescinded or postponed. Employers who renege on an employment offer without just cause could face possible suspension from recruiting activities at Colby College for at least one year. Lifting any suspension from recruiting activities will be at the discretion of DavisConnects.
Offers for Opportunities Beginning in Fall 2024
Employers are asked to follow this timeline for Colby students. We strongly encourage employers to permit students to participate in recruitment activities and allow student candidates sufficient time to explore their career options before deciding whether or not to accept offers for internships or full-time employment. After October 18, 4-weeks or a decision window mutually agreeable between the student and employer, are acceptable. Employers are asked to consider requests for additional flexibility on a case by case basis. Our office recognizes that there are times when a job offer and start date are less than 4 weeks apart; in those cases we ask employers to offer a reasonable amount of time (at least 48 hours and up to 1 week) for students to consider the opportunity.
| Fall 2024 & Spring/Summer 2025 Date/Timing of Offer | Acceptance Deadline |
| Full-time or Intern offer extended prior to October 18, 2024 | November 8, 2024(This includes Summer ’24 offers for Summer ’25) |
| Full-time or Intern offer extended October 18, 2024 or later | Four weeks from Date of Offer or a decision window mutually agreeable between the student and employer |
When an employer extends a verbal offer of employment, a written offer of employment with the same terms and conditions must be issued within 7 days of the verbal offer. Employers cannot require acceptance of the verbal offer prior to issuing the written offer nor can the four week date of offer countdown begin until the written offer is extended.
Off-campus / Traveling for Interviews
Student safety is our priority; We expect employers to take the health and safety of our students into consideration when scheduling interviews and offer a virtual option, if requested.
It must be clearly communicated to the student at all times that he/she/they should feel comfortable speaking up about any scheduling conflicts. We recommend employers to provide alternative dates, without negative consequences, for a second-round interview if the date originally suggested by the employer conflicts with students’ academic and/or other valid campus obligations.
Exploding Offers and Other Tactics to Incent Early Acceptance
DavisConnects defines an exploding offer as: Any offer that does not adhere to the policy stated above and/or that has special incentives attached, such as diminishing bonuses or location or job preferences, for purposes of inducing early acceptance. Exploding offers are strictly prohibited.
Any offer made to students must remain “whole” during the consideration period, including any monetary incentives. Employers violating this policy will be immediately suspended from recruiting activities at Colby College for at least one year. Reinstatement will only occur when DavisConnects determines that the problem has been resolved.
All employers who participate in recruiting will be expected to follow the Offer Guidelines for all opportunities. Employers that violate these guidelines will be subject to penalties that may include forfeiture of the use of DavisConnects, including on-campus interviewing and participation in recruiting events (both virtual and in-person) for the following academic year.
All employers should extend offers in writing to potential student hires. At this point in the recruiting process, written offers are considered contracts, please examine the contract very carefully. Employers who rescind or alter contract conditions after both parties have signed will be subject to penalties which may include suspension from Colby recruiting activities.
Confidentiality and Data Collection Policy
Participating companies are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all student and alumni information. All materials received throughout the application process (including cover letters, resumes, transcripts, via email or hard copy), should be shared only with those persons involved in the hiring process. Sharing information about a candidate with another organization is not acceptable unless the company receives prior written consent from the candidate.
DavisConnects may ask participating employers to supply hiring data and outcomes as it relates to our student population. DavisConnects and Colby College are committed to maintaining the confidentiality of student information, therefore sharing this hiring data is not a breach of our confidentiality policy. DavisConnects will not disclose identifying information about specific employer hires.
Alcohol Policy
In accordance with guidelines established by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), there should be no alcohol consumption by candidates in the interview or recruiting process, or at events associated with full-time or internship opportunities, either on- or off-campus. Employers should neither offer alcohol to candidates nor expect that candidates will consume alcohol.
Email Policy
DavisConnects does not supply student emails to recruiting organizations or permit mass emails to students. We ask all marketing to students is done via the DavisConnects staff for maximum distribution and fairness to all students. It is also our office’s discretion to share recruiter email / contact information to students who request it. Employers may email students via Handshake to those students who have approved receiving employer emails on their individual account.
