Navigating Career Opportunities at Boston College

Boston College provides a multifaceted approach to career development, equipping students with the resources and support necessary to achieve their professional aspirations. From on-campus employment to internships and post-graduation job searches, BC offers a range of opportunities and guidance to help students succeed.

On-Campus Employment

Boston College offers numerous on-campus job opportunities for students. These positions provide valuable work experience, allowing students to develop professional skills and contribute to the university community.

Finding and Applying for On-Campus Jobs

All active on-campus student job openings can be viewed by searching the navigation menu of this page and clicking on each Summer and/or Academic Year job listing. Students can review each active job posting and contact the person listed on the posting directly or follow the provided application instructions if applicable. Students can view each active job posting's pay grade, description of duties and responsibilities, time frame, and the professional skills and competencies they will develop in that role.

Important Requirements for Student Employees

All newly-hired student employees must complete the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification requirement no later than the first day of employment. The Form I-9 is completed in the Office of Student Services.

Resources for On-Campus Job Seekers

The Career Center has plenty of resources and advice to help you succeed in your on-campus job search.

Off-Campus Federal Work-Study Program

If you are interested in working through our Off-Campus FWS Program, you must apply for financial aid and receive Federal Work-Study as part of your financial aid award in a given employment period (Academic Year and Summer). Any newly-hired students working through this program must complete the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification requirement no later than the first day of employment if they have not previously worked for BC. The Form I-9 is completed in the Office of Student Services. Students working through this program must also complete their Off-Campus FWS Hire/Rehire Form for each employment period they are being hired (Academic Year and Summer), have it signed by their off-campus agency supervisor, and submit it to our office for review and processing.

Frequently Asked Questions About On-Campus Jobs

Are positions posted daily? Yes. Positions are posted daily as they become available.
How will I know if I am being considered for a position? The hiring manager or Human Resources will contact you if you are being considered for a position. Also, if selected as a finalist for the position, you must interview with a member of the Human Resources staff before the recruitment process can be finalized.
How long does the hiring process take? The timetable for hiring for a position varies depending on the qualified applicant pool and interview process.
Is a resume required? No. However, a resume is strongly encouraged and may be requested for certain positions.
Are cover letters required? Yes. Cover letters are encouraged for professional/administrative positions.
How should I apply for a position? BC’s preference is for applicants to apply online and attach a resume.
What if I forgot my password? Reset your password login to your profile and click ‘Forgot Password’.
Can I withdraw my application? Yes. You may withdraw and remove your application from consideration for a position.
What is the BC interview process like? The BC interview process varies depending on the position.
Do current Boston College employees get preference? Yes. In filling positions at Boston College, preference is given to qualified persons currently employed in a regular position at Boston College. Ability, experience, and potential for growth are taken into consideration. Boston College is an equal opportunity employer. Boston College employees interested in applying to a different position should submit an updated resume and cover letting noting your status as a Boston College employee.
Who reviews applications? The hiring manager/selection committee will review all applications. If you are invited to interview, a representative from the hiring department will contact you to set up an appointment.

Internships: Gaining Professional Experience

Internships are a crucial component of career development, providing students with hands-on experience in their desired fields. At Boston College, students have access to resources and opportunities to secure internships that align with their career goals.

Formal Internships and Beyond

A formal internship isn't the only way to gain professional experience. Projects are a great option to boost your résumé/portfolio, build skills, and grow your professional network.

Eagle Intern Fellowship

The Eagle Intern Fellowship provides financial support of up to $4,800 to Boston College undergraduates who are on financial aid who obtain internships with organizations that are not able to provide a salary.

Job Search Strategies and Resources

Securing a job after graduation requires a strategic approach and effective utilization of available resources. Boston College offers a range of tools and guidance to help students navigate the job search process successfully.

Handshake: Your Centralized Job Platform

All of the top employers are hiring on Handshake, including the Fortune 500, nonprofits, and startups. Handshake is our centralized platform where top employers post positions for Boston College students.

Additional Job Search Platforms

While it is highly recommended that you use Handshake as your primary platform to search for a job, there are a variety of other online job boards that may also serve as helpful resources. Below are a few general job boards to start with. Students also have free access to a job search platform called Huntr. The platform easily keeps track of positions in which you are interested in and where you are in the application cycle.

International Student Resources

Interstride empowers International students to thrive. MyVisaJobs can help you identify companies who have sponsored H1B visas and green cards in the past.

Networking and Industry Events

The Career Center hosts smaller industry-specific fairs and networking events to connect Boston College students with alumni and employers. Fairs and networking events are an opportunity to discover different industries and organizations and make connections in person.

Campus Recruitment Program

Our campus recruitment program brings hundreds of recruiters to Boston College each year to meet with and interview students for full-time jobs and internships. Organizations come from across the nation-representing a variety of industries and seeking students of all majors and disciplines.

Read also: History of the BU Bridge

Understanding Recruiting Cycles

Every career field follows unique recruiting cycles and general hiring timelines. To succeed in your job search, you need to be aware of the recruiting cycles for your industry of choice.

Planning and Organization

Develop a plan that includes your target career field, ideal geographic location(s), ideal start date, what type of organization you are seeking in terms of size and culture. In addition, we encourage you to set goals for yourself as well as dates for achieving those goals. Most job openings aren’t advertised broadly. Because you will likely be at different stages of the application process with various organizations at a given time, developing a process to keep track of all the details is key.

Application Essentials

A strong application is essential for making a positive impression on potential employers. Boston College provides resources to help students craft compelling résumés and cover letters.

Résumé Development

A résumé is a tailored document highlighting your skills, education, goals, and experience. It is a summary of qualifications for a job, internship, scholarship, or other opportunity. Employers will often spend far less than 30 seconds looking at each résumé, so yours needs to stand out.

Cover Letter Writing

A well-written cover letter is your opportunity to demonstrate to an employer your fit and enthusiasm for the role.

Avoiding Job Search Scams

We know that you’re working hard to find that perfect internship or job. However, it is important to be aware that what appears to be the perfect job may not be so perfect. Not every job posting is legitimate; scammers may post fraudulent jobs to get your personal information for identity theft or to get money from you. The Boston College Career Center makes every effort to verify the legitimacy of employers and job postings listed on Handshake. However, the ultimate responsibility for researching a potential employer and its opportunities lies with the applicant.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

It requires that you provide your credit card, bank account numbers, or other personal financial documentation. Do not give out any financial information at any point during your job search and hiring process.
It requires an initial investment, such as a payment by wire service or courier.
You are asked to provide your social security and driver’s license information in the initial application.
Many employers have access to resumes via career centers. The employer responds to you immediately after you submit your resume (Note: this does not include an auto-response you may receive from the employer once you have sent your resume).
The employer contacts you by phone, however, there is no way to call them back.
The interview is conducted online, via text or chat and an offer is given almost immediately.
You receive an unexpectedly large check.
You are asked to provide a photo of yourself.
When meeting an employer in person, it should always be in a public place (their office, coffee shop, etc.).

Investigating Suspicious Companies

Scammers often create quick, basic web pages that seem legit at first glance, but it often doesn’t contain information beyond the job opportunity. Look for “stock photos,” grammatical errors, and poor use of English language. Is it hard to find contact information? If it is difficult to find an address, actual contact, company name, etc., you should proceed with caution. Can you find scam reports online for this company? You can Google the company name and the word "scam".

Important Reminders

We would like to remind students that if they accept a job with a political campaign, they should not be using BC student groups/resources, etc.

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