Trinity University CELCS Wins 2024 Handshake Career Spark Award

Trinity University is excited to announce that the Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS) has been recognized with a 2024 Handshake Career Spark Award. Out of over 1,500 schools that use Handshake, CELCS is one of only 35 career centers that were recognized this year as a Career Spark Award winner, placing Trinity’s CELCS in the top 2% of Handshake partner institutions. Trinity is one of only nine private schools to receive a Career Spark Award this year. This award reflects CELCS’s commitment to and excellence in preparing Tigers for success in their careers.

Handshake Career Spark Awards are awarded based on data gathered from the Handshake platform that shows schools’ success in utilizing Handshake in three key areas: student engagement, employer engagement, and reporting and analytics. As the largest, most diverse early talent network in the US, Handshake connects 75% of all U.S. college students through their school's career center with over 950,000 employers actively recruiting on the platform. The Career Spark Awards celebrate top career centers in the three areas previously listed, and to win one is a testament to the hard work and intentional effort that goes into the way CELCS engages with and supports students here at Trinity.

“CELCS is incredibly honored to receive this Handshake Career Spark Award, recognizing our Center among the top 2% of career centers using Handshake nationwide,” says Katie Ramirez, director of CELCS. “This recognition reflects our commitment to empowering students through innovative engagement strategies, comprehensive programming, and strong employer partnerships.”

CELCS offers a wide array of resources that prepare students for their careers and post-graduate pursuits, including internships, service learning, job searches, graduate school advising, and the Find Your Direction Fund that helps financially support students pursuing experiential learning. These comprehensive services equip students with the tools they need to thrive professionally and make an impact beyond Trinity. 

“Our team's dedication and active engagement with students on Handshake are crucial to students' success, contributing to Trinity's 98% positive outcomes rate and underscoring the collaborative efforts that drive meaningful results for our students,” says Ramirez.

CELCS is a successful resource for students in connecting them to internship and career opportunities through Handshake. Congratulations to the CELCS team for their hard work and well-deserved award!