Information for Employers
Career Discovery & Planning welcomes the chance to collaborate with employer partners in the UVA Wise community, throughout the Southwest Virginia region, and beyond on recruitment, programs, and events. Share your opportunities – jobs, seasonal employment, internships, projects, events, and networks – through our centralized system, Handshake.
Recruiting at UVA Wise
- It enables you to build a pipeline of talent.
- It’s cost-effective.
- It elevates the quality of candidates.
- It helps your organization stay competitive.
- It’s an investment in the future of our communities.
Learn more about ways to engage with our students
Employer Lunch Series
We are building a 4-part lunch series with employers who are recruiting interns or employees, whether for one position or several. We provide lunch, the space, swag, and the tech. You provide 45-minutes of interaction in a format of your choosing. The best time is from 1:00-2:00 on Mondays and Wednesdays. Reach out for recommended dates.
Employer Site Visits
If your business, company, or organization is within an hour’s drive of UVA Wise, we’re interested in bringing our students to you. It’s part of our Get Ready. Go Mobile. Gain Experience. Campaign. For site visits, we typically bring 4-8 students and provide transportation and a meal. Most visits consist of a welcome and overview, a brief tour, interaction with current employees, and a wrap up with Q&A.
Skills Sessions
By now, you’ve heard about the eight NACE Competencies that most employers seek in college students. If not, you know them as soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. What about lifelong skills? Aspects of customer service, proper use of basic hand tools, fire suppression, and off-grid navigation, and suturing techniques are just a few examples of what you might teach UVA Wise students. Fun activities are encouraged. We will provide the space and instructional items that you require.
Podcast
In academic year, 2025-2026, we launched Just Off College Avenue on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube. The podcast has featured episodes on topics ranging from embracing non-linear careers to networking tips and advice. Would you like to be a guest? It’s a great way to raise our students’ interest and awareness.
Micro-internships
If you are located in Wise County, you are eligible for our micro-internship program. Each project is designed by you and is the equivalent of 10 hours of work. We pay $20/hour to the student that you select and supervise once the project is complete. Projects could be virtual, in-person, or hybrid. For instance, you might hire a student to clean data in spreadsheets, update your social media or web content, organize a space, work an event, etc. If you are interested in helping our students gain experience, respond or call for further instructions: Tonya Nations at mnr3pm@uvawise.edu or 276-376-1081.
Virtual Info Sessions
Setting aside two virtual sessions each semester is a great way to accommodate our students and your busy schedule. You can do this through Handshake, which will broaden your approach regionally, statewide, and nationwide. If you want to focus on UVA Wise students, respond or call to set up your sessions. Most sessions last 30-45 minutes and our audience ranges from 4-8 students. Like site visits, sessions begin with an overview, then interaction with each attendee, followed by a wrap up of Q&A.
Opportunity Advertising
Do you have an opportunity that you would like emailed, posted, and/or promoted to our student population?
- For emails to students, including our monthly newsletter, mid-month updates, and social media, Send your graphic and content with your request to careerdiscovery@uvawise.edu.
- Also share your updates and opportunities with us on LinkedIn. We are the UVA Wise Office of Career Discovery and Planning.
- Finally, post your jobs and internships on Handshake and select University of Virginia’s College at Wise. Create your free Handshake account.
Employers who recruit at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise are encouraged to follow the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principles for Ethical Professional Practice, policies established by the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) guidelines.
Explore the benefits of internships and the difference they can make.