Recruiting Guidelines
Recruiting Guidelines for Employers & Students
The Jackson School of Geosciences recruiting season occurs over approximately a one-month period where we host several companies that interview our students for internships and full time positions. This is a busy time of year (for both employers and students), as most students will have interviews that span about 3-weeks, and we prefer they have ample time to interview with a number of companies. It is important that both parties follow the guidelines below to ensure a safe, respectful, and successful recruitment season.
Student Code of Ethics
Students who participate in career services on-campus recruiting; including interviewing, negotiating offers, and participating in the fall career fair are expected to maintain professionalism at all times. Please view the guidelines below for more details. If you have concerns or need individual guidance, please make an appointment (in-person or online) with JSG Career Services.
Accepting an Offer
Communication is crucial during the interview phase. Once an offer is made, both parties should provide written correspondence as a record of employment intention. If you (as the student) accept an offer, it’s best to provide an acceptance letter in writing (either electronic or hard copy) to the hiring entity. Sending a written acceptance letter allows you to demonstrate your professionalism and make sure there is no confusion about the precise terms of the offer (such as compensation, vacation time, or benefits). We want to celebrate your accomplishments with you, so please share accepted offers with us!
Reneging Offers
Reneging is a term where someone formally commits to a job offer, then later reject for a different opportunity. It is unacceptable for students to renege an offer, as it looks poorly on you, as well as the Jackson School student body. If you are a student faced with multiple job offers, please visit JSG Career Services to discuss your situation. All questions or concerns go to Jennifer Jordan, Career Services Director, at jjordan@jsg.utexas.edu.
Employer Guidelines
Employers are expected to abide by The University of Texas at Austin’s Employer Recruiting Guidelines & Procedures and the National Association of Colleges and Employers Principles for Ethical Professional Practice. We welcome you to explore the following recruiting guidelines and applicable federal, state, and local employment laws. Additionally, we ask that employers provide accurate information about their organization and employment opportunities.
Interviewing and Offering Positions to Students
During peak recruitment period, students are often meeting with several companies. We kindly ask employers to communicate employment decisions to student candidates within a reasonable time frame. Additionally, we ask that you give students an appropriate amount of time to consider positions offered to them.
Reneging Offers
If conditions change after an offer has been made and accepted causing the employing organization to revoke its commitment, we ask that the employing organization pursue a course of action for the affected candidate that is fair and equitable.
Hiring International Students
If you are considering hiring an international student, please read this document from the University’s International Student Office “An Employer’s Guide to Hiring International Students.”
Jackson School students must abide by a code of ethics when interacting with employers at all stages of recruiting. If you have interactions with a student who has demonstrated behaviors that are against our guidelines, please notify Career Services Director, Jennifer Jordan (jjordan@jsg.utexas.edu).
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
The Jackson School of Geosciences Career Center is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). We follow NACE Principles as well as NACE guidelines for making reasonable job offers to students. Employers and their representatives are responsible for reading and complying with our basic recruiting principles for recruiting at the Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) provides the following internship definition and criteria:
An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Internships give students the opportunity to gain valuable applied experience and make connections in professional fields they are considering for career paths; and give employers the opportunity to guide and evaluate talent. Please also see the U.S. Department of Labor website.
NACE Seven Criteria for Internships
- The experience must be an extension of the classroom: a learning experience that provides for applying the knowledge gained in the classroom. It must not be simply to advance the operations of the employer or be the work that a regular employee would routinely perform.
- The skills or knowledge learned must be transferable to other employment settings.
- The experience has a defined beginning and end, and a job description with desired qualifications.
- There are clearly defined learning objectives/goals related to the professional goals of the student’s academic coursework.
- There is supervision by a professional with expertise and educational and/or professional background in the field of the experience.
- There is routine feedback by the experienced supervisor.
- There are resources, equipment, and facilities provided by the host employer that support learning objectives/goals.
Internships and what they provide to students:
- Students put their academic learning into practice
- Increased professional skills
- Build professional network
- Enhanced ability to recognize preferences and abilities and match them with appropriate career-related choices