Recruit at Your Alma Mater: Get Involved with Cooper Union Students 
We are deeply grateful to Cooper Union alumni for their continued commitment to supporting the next generation of artists, architects, and engineers. Your involvement plays a vital role in shaping students’ academic and professional journeys, offering them invaluable guidance, inspiration, and real-world insight.

By sharing your time, experience, and expertise—whether through posting job and internship opportunities, hosting company information sessions, participating in career fairs, or engaging in other creative collaborations—you strengthen the bridge between the classroom and the wider world. Your presence, both virtually and on campus, not only opens doors for students but also reinforces the enduring spirit of the Cooper community.

Thank you for giving back in ways that make a lasting difference. We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating the powerful impact of alumni engagement. Below are a list of possible ways alumni can recruit at Cooper Union: 

Post Job & Internship Opportunities

To begin recruiting at Cooper Union, register as an employer on 12twenty, our centralized platform for job postings, event registration, resume collections, and on-campus recruiting.  12twenty is free, easy to use, and helps the Career Center connect your roles with students across all disciplines. Whether you’re hiring interns or full-time employees, 12twenty allows you to post positions, collect applications, and review candidates at your convenience. 

Through 12twenty, you can: 
    •    Post job and internship opportunities 
    •    Register for career fairs 
    •    Schedule and host information sessions 
    •    Collect resumes and review candidate materials 
    •    Coordinate on-campus or virtual interviews 

Need help setting up your profile? Click here for instructions, or email us at career@cooper.edu. 

Participate in Career Fairs 

Each fall and spring semester, The Center for Career Development welcomes a diverse array of innovative employers to The Cooper Union campus to engage with currently enrolled students.

These events serve not only as dynamic recruitment opportunities for employers but also as integral components of students’ professional development while at Cooper. By participating in these fairs, students are empowered to explore impactful career paths, secure exciting internships and post-graduate job placements, and build valuable connections with leading professionals across various industries.  

Fall & Spring: School of Engineering Job & Internship Fair 
Held twice a year during Tuesday club hours (12:00–2:00 PM) in the Great Hall, this is Cooper’s largest career event, regularly attracting 150+ students. Employers from across the region participate—and many alumni return to recruit from the same academic departments they once called home. 

Spring: Architecture Career Night 
Launched in Spring 2024, this curated, evening event on the Foundation Building’s 3rd floor features 15 firms and includes student portfolio reviews, informal networking, and faculty engagement. Dinner is served, fostering a collegial and conversational atmosphere. 

To register for either event, log in to 12twenty or contact us directly at career@cooper.edu. 

Host an Information Session 

Increase your organization’s visibility among Cooper Union students by hosting an on-campus or virtual information session. These sessions offer a focused and conversational setting to share your company’s mission, values, and career opportunities directly with students in our Architecture, Art, and Engineering programs. Whether your goal is to recruit for specific roles, build long-term brand awareness, or simply connect with emerging talent, an information session is an effective way to make a lasting impression. 

Information sessions can be scheduled during peak recruiting periods—such as career fair season—or at other strategic times throughout the academic year. Many employers choose to pair their sessions with on-campus interviews or other recruiting activities to maximize engagement. At Cooper Union, information sessions are typically scheduled during designated “club hours” on Tuesday afternoons from 12:00–2:00 PM or Thursday evenings from 5:00–6:00 PM. Sessions are generally held in a classroom setting, and we are happy to provide a meal to encourage student attendance and participation. 

Please note that due to the intensity of Cooper’s academic programs and the time demands placed on students, we cannot guarantee a large turnout. However, those who do attend are often highly motivated and genuinely interested in learning more about your organization. To inquire about hosting an information session or to discuss scheduling options, please contact us at career@cooper.edu. 

Offer a Job Shadow Experience 

Support the next generation of innovators, creators, and professionals by hosting a Cooper Union student for a job shadowing experience. These short-term, observational opportunities—typically lasting between one to three days—offer students a behind-the-scenes look at a specific role, department, or industry. By spending time alongside professionals in a real-world setting, students gain meaningful insights into the day-to-day responsibilities, workplace culture, and career pathways they might not otherwise encounter in the classroom. 

Job shadowing experiences are especially impactful for students in the early stages of their career exploration, as they help bridge the gap between academic studies and professional environments. Whether in an office, studio, lab, or construction site, the exposure allows students to observe how teams collaborate, what skills are essential, and how professionals navigate challenges and decisions in their field. 
For employers, hosting a student is a simple yet powerful way to mentor emerging talent, showcase your organization, and contribute to a student's personal and professional growth. These experiences can be tailored to your schedule and comfort level—whether that means offering a full-day immersion, a multi-day shadowing experience, or even a hybrid option with both in-person and virtual components. 

If you are interested in providing a job shadowing opportunity or learning more about how it works, please contact us at career@cooper.edu. We’d be happy to help you design an experience that’s beneficial for both your team and our students. 

Request a Resume Collection 

Interested employers are encouraged to contact The Center for Career Development at career@cooper.edu to request a resume collection. This complimentary service is available for both internship and full-time job opportunities across all industries. 
To begin the process, employers should provide a formal job or internship description, along with key logistical details such as preferred application deadlines, anticipated start dates, required qualifications, and any additional instructions for applicants. Upon receiving this information, our office will publicize the opportunity to relevant student and alumni populations, collect application materials, and compile the resumes into a single, organized submission for the employer’s review. 
We kindly ask that employers allow for a total of three weeks to complete this process—from the launch of the opportunity to the delivery of application materials. This timeline ensures adequate time for promotion, student engagement, and resume collection. 
The Center for Career Development is committed to supporting a streamlined and effective hiring experience for both employers and candidates, and we look forward to assisting you in connecting with exceptional talent from The Cooper Union. 

 Host a Firm Visit or Office Tour

Company visits—including those to architecture firms, engineering offices, design studios, and arts organizations—offer students invaluable firsthand exposure to your organization’s culture, workflow, and team. These visits provide a unique opportunity for students to observe your work environment, ask questions, and gain insight into the professional practices and career paths within your industry. 

Tours typically last between 1 to 3 hours and are scheduled during standard business hours. We generally aim to arrange visits from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Tuesdays, a time that best aligns with students' availability and academic schedules. These experiences are consistently cited by students as among the most meaningful influences on their career exploration and decision-making. Hosting a visit is a powerful way to connect with emerging talent, build brand awareness on campus, and contribute to the professional development of the next generation of creatives, engineers, and innovators. 

To arrange a company visit or discuss potential formats, please contact The Center for Career Development at career@cooper.edu.

Conduct On-Campus Interviews 

On-campus interviews can be an efficient and effective way for employers to streamline their recruitment process while also boosting visibility and engagement among students. These visits often generate increased interest—and even buzz—on campus, helping to build meaningful connections with potential candidates. 

If your organization is interested in conducting on-campus interviews, please contact The Center for Career Development at career@cooper.edu. We recommend reaching out as early as possible so we can schedule your visit during a time in the semester when students are most available. Early planning also allows us to coordinate with our existing programming and ensure that a member of our staff can be present to provide additional support if needed. 
While we encourage initial outreach by email, please note that The Cooper Union utilizes 12twenty to manage its campus recruiting program. Interview schedules are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. 

We are grateful for your continued involvement in the Cooper community. Your experience and support make a lasting difference in students’ lives and their futures.