Other Ways to Recruit Students

The Center for Career Development at The Cooper Union is committed to building strong, collaborative relationships with employers to help them effectively connect with our exceptional students and recent graduates. We understand that each organization has unique hiring needs, and our goal is to provide a range of opportunities that allow employers to engage with students in ways that are both impactful and productive. By working together, we aim to create meaningful pathways that lead to successful recruiting outcomes and long-term talent pipelines.
Our large-scale career fairs remain one of the most visible and well-attended recruiting events we host throughout the academic year. These fairs offer employers access to a broad and diverse student audience, making them an ideal venue for promoting internships, co-ops, and full-time positions. However, we also recognize that some of the most successful recruiting experiences emerge from smaller, more personalized interactions. Intimate settings such as portfolio reviews, information sessions, skill-building workshops, and mock interviews often foster deeper conversations and allow employers to more accurately assess a candidate’s skills, creativity, and cultural fit.
To accommodate a wide range of recruitment strategies, we offer multiple engagement options that go beyond the traditional career fair format. These include curated resume books, targeted email campaigns, on-campus and virtual interviews, classroom visits, and employer-in-residence programs. Whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, source candidates for niche roles, or engage in long-term talent development, we are here to support your efforts.
The list below includes several examples of recruitment activities available through our office. We encourage you to explore these options and consider how they might align with your hiring goals. If you have a specific idea in mind or would like to design a customized strategy for engaging with our students, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at career@cooper.edu. We are happy to consult with you directly to help you get the most out of your recruiting experience at Cooper.
- Conduct an Information Session
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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
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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. Accordion content. -
Request a Resume Collection -
Interested employers are encouraged to contact The Center for Career Development at career@cooper.edu to initiate 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
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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
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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.