Center for Career Exploration

Core Employer Program

At Brown, it is the mission of the Center for Career Exploration to help students and recent graduates achieve their career ambitions through three activities: Reflect, Connect & Explore.

Brown University Core Employers uphold this mission through meaningful engagement with students demonstrated through these activities: 

  • Reflect: Provide students with a space to begin exploring careers while reflecting on their individual goals, interests, and skills. 
  • Connect: Offer insights and education on career pathways by connecting students to a knowledgeable network of professionals including, but not limited to, Brown alumni and family. 
  • Explore: Offer opportunities for exploration where experience and professional skills can be gained and developed through internships and jobs. 

How does my organization become a Core Employer?

To be a Core Employer, an organization must participate in and/or host at least 2 events (in-person or virtual) offered only to Brown students, post jobs/internships to Brown using Handshake, and if possible provide Brown-specific hiring data by July 1 of each year. There is a strong preference that Brown alumni or family members of Brown students/alumni employed by the organization participate in events. Job and internship opportunities located outside of the United States that are posted on Handshake and promoted at fairs and other events should be paid. 

Qualifying events include, but are not limited to:

  • Single-employer recruiting events, i.e.,
    • On-site interviews
  • Multi-employer recruiting events, i.e.,
    • Fall Career Fair
    • Industry Spotlight 
  • Information session or coffee chat
  • Host a group of students at your location, i.e.,
    • Spring break career exploration trip
    • Summer break for students in the city
  • Host an educational event/workshop, i.e.,
    • Mock interviews 
    • Consulting case prep
    • Technical interviewing tips
  • Host an DEIB event/workshop
  • Have Brown alumni attend a Brown networking event
  • Host a student club event (workshop, educational session)

How does this benefit your organization?

Core employers are able to enjoy these benefits at no additional cost:

  • Inclusion in Brown's Core Employer Collection in Handshake visible to all Brown students. 
  • Priority access to registering for on-campus events.
  • The offer of an annual meeting with the Employer Partnerships team to discuss the company’s hiring strategy and timing. 
  • The Employer Partnerships team will provide data regarding Brown's recruiting trends at the end of the '24-'25 academic year.

Employers who are being investigated for a suspected policy violation, or who are found to have violated a policy, are subject to suspension from the Core Employer list. Reinstatement will be at the discretion of the Center for Career Exploration.