Welcome Mines Students and Alumni
Leading companies are looking for new employees with the skills necessary to take the world into the future, and you have the opportunity to connect with many of them. Build up your network, learn about career possibilities, and sharpen your interview skills, all at the Mines Career Days.
Career Days will take place across two separate days, with each day having unique companies and industries. In the weeks leading up to those dates, the Mines Career Center will host a variety of workshops and related events, all of which can be explored in the pages below.
Mines Spring 2025 Career Days January 28-29
Time: 10am-3pm
(9am start for students graduating in May 2024 or December 2025)
DAY 1 is Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | Earth, Energy, and Environment
Industries: Chemicals, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Consulting, Energy – Alternative/ Renewable, Energy – Oil & Gas, Environmental Resources/Water, Geotechnical Engineering, Government/ Public Sector, Humanitarian/ Non-Profits, Mining, Transportation & Logistics, Utilities (Public & Private)/ Power
DAY 2 is Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | High Tech, Aerospace, and Futures
Industries: Aerospace/Defense/Aviation, Automotive, Banking/Finance/Accounting, BioTech/BioEng-Pharmaceuticals, Education/Instruction/Administration, Electrical/Electrical Components, Government/Public Sector, Healthcare/Medical Equipment, High Tech/Information Technology, Legal/Law, Manufacturing/Machinery/Equipment, Metals, Military, Retail/Wholesale
PAST: Fall 2024 Career Days – September 10-11
Contact Us
Career Services
1200 16th St., E180
Golden, CO 80401
303-273-3233
Monday-Friday
8:00 am – 5:00 pm
By the numbers
4000+
attendees in Fall 2024
2000+
attendees in Spring 2024
400+
companies participated
in Fall events
350+
companies participated
in Spring events
4,500+
jobs posted by
800 organizations
in DiggerNet
Career Days Events: What to Expect
Use the tabs below to learn more about Career Days events and important information!
Leading up to Career Days, the Career Center offers two weeks of workshops to help you prepare to meet with recruiters. From practicing interviews and building resumes to learning how to properly dress (and buy professional clothes for cheap!), participation in these events will provide everything a student needs to succeed during the fair.
Check out the Event Calendar or visit DiggerNet under ‘Events and Workshops’ for details on upcoming events!
Save Time & Skip the Line!
Beginning 2 weeks before Career Days, the Career Center will be offering Early Badge Printing!
Students can get their badges and lanyards at the Career Center in advance. For students graduating in within one year of the event, this lanyard will be silver – this allows you to enter the event an hour early (at 9AM rather than 10AM), while all others will be navy blue. No reservation needed, just stop by with your Blastercard and know your CWID!
Other Opportunities for Pick-Up:
- Rapid Resume Reviews – (Date/Location TBD)
- Rapid Resume Reviews – (Date/Location TBD)
- Prep with Reps – (January 27th, 2025/Location TBD)
Career Days – Day-Of Check In Process
Getting your badge printed early saves you time waiting in line. You will be able to skip the registration counter at both days of Career Days, but note you will still need to show your BlasterCard to security to get into the event.
1. There are separate badges for Day 1 or Day 2. If you get your badge early, you will be asked which event, or both, you plan to attend. You will receive the badge(s) for the day(s) you plan to attend.
2. If you arrive to the event and you have the badge for that day, that states either Day 1 or Day 2, you can show your badge to the security staff in addition to your BlasterCard for ID verification, and continue into the event.
3. If you arrive to the event and you do NOT have the badge for that day, you can still get in line to print your badge and access the event.
*Note:
1. Make sure you know your CWID or have it handy when you arrive to get your badge printed!
2. You will be required to show your BlasterCard as ID verification each time you enter the event.
Career Fair Plus is an app that will be used as a booth map and career fair guide. Download the app today and you will be able to view the full list of attending Career Day companies. ‘Star’ your favorite companies, take notes, and see where they will be located at the fair (booth map available starting August 26th)! You can also access the list online (list only; booth map only available via the app) at https://cfplus.page.link/jqAc
Reach out to the Career Center with any questions, or go here for more information: https://www.mines.edu/careers/cfpresources/
The app contains a wide variety of information, including and not limited to:
- Attending companies
- Map of venue
- Pre- and Post-Career Days Workshops
- Company Information Sessions
January 27, 2025 – Student Center, Grand Ballrooms
The day before Career Days, several companies, organizations, and employers will be present to help students prepare for the Career Fair. At Prep With Reps, you will have a unique opportunity to review your resume, practice your elevator pitch, get interviewing tips, and build connections with recruiters, all in one location. Stop by for this opportunity to ease your nerves before Career Day and get practice interacting with recruiters!
In addition to increasing your confidence before the Career Fair, we will also be offering professional photos and resume printing for those in attendance!
Companies in attendance:
TBD
Spring Career Days will take place in the Student Rec Center on January 28-29, from 10AM-3PM (9AM start for students graduating in May & December):
**Both days are open for all majors, and students are encouraged to visit both to maximize the opportunity**
Day 1 – Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | Earth, Energy, and Environment
Industries: Chemicals, Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, Consulting, Energy – Alternative/Renewable, Energy – Oil & Gas, Environmental Resources/Water, Geotechnical Engineering, *Government/Public Sector, Humanitarian/Non-Profits, Mining, Transportation & Logistics, Utilities (Public & Private)/ Power
Day 2 – Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | High Tech, Aerospace, and Futures
Industries: Aerospace/Defense/Aviation, Automotive, Banking/Finance/Accounting, BioTech/BioEng-Pharmaceuticals, Education/Instruction/Administration, Electrical/Electrical Components, *Government/Public Sector, Healthcare/Medical Equipment, High Tech/Information Technology, Legal/Law, Manufacturing/Machinery/Equipment, Metals, Military, Retail/Wholesale
*Government/Public Sector will select the best date that aligns with their organization, and are still only able to attend one of the two dates.
For more information on participating companies and the venue’s layout, download the Career Fair Plus app!
Following Career Days, the Career Center hosts a number of companies for Next-Day Interviews around campus.
These companies may choose to invite students during Career Days or will reach out later on to invite you to participate in an interview. Some companies may choose to conduct interviewing later in the semester. Employers will reach out to students directly to coordinate these interviews.
Starting around Career Days and continuing for several weeks, companies will begin to schedule info sessions to meet and recruit Mines students. These can be either in-person or virtual, and are intended to get students interested in their companies for internships, co-ops, and entry-level full-time positions. These events are announced on DiggerNet (via weekly updates), and are a great opportunity to connect with employers after Career Days!
Some companies may also have an information table placed in Pedestrian Plaza or the Student Center, so be sure to keep an eye out!
Student Organization Events
Various organizations host employer events around Career Days. Events will be added as details are finalized.
Career Days take place each fall and spring semester. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to connect with your dream company.
Common Questions
Why Do Employers Always Say to 'Apply Online?'
Answer By Wendy Winter-Searcy, Mines Career Center Director:
Navigating the world of job applications may feel just as complex as quantum physics at times. However, understanding a bit about the inner workings of applications, recruiting, and hiring can remove the mystery and help students be most effective in their job search.
Upon leaving Career Days, students sometime scratch their heads in confusion: “Why did I just waste my time going up to an employer’s booth, only to be told to go to their web site and apply? What’s the point?” First, understanding the motivation for employers to invest their time, staff, and resources to participate in a career fair, may allow you to strategize to maximize your own goals.
According to one of Mines’ employer partners (and a Mines alum): They want to hire you as much as you want to get a job! The reason a job is open is because there is a business need, and you could be the solution to that problem. Employers are motivated to recruit at Mines because they know they can find students with outstanding technical skills, and they hope to find the added bonus of professional skills, such as communication, professionalism, teamwork, etc. See more about professional competencies here: Home – Vallejo Irvine Program for Professional Development (mines.edu).
Employers choose to come to the Mines Career Days to expand visibility of their company and opportunities for college students to intern, or new college graduates to obtain full-time employment, or both. Whether or not they are hiring for internships or full-time, they believe there is potential for Mines students to contribute to their workforce. Your job is to convince them that 1) you are the best candidate who can bring these professional skills as well as the technical, 2) you will fit within their team culture, and 3) you are actually interested in them and their opportunities. Without any one of these, you may not make it through the screening criteria.
But, why on-line, you ask? Large employers, especially those who are federal contractors, are bound by law to consolidate their applications to one central portal, hence, the “apply on-line” statement. The whole reason for the OFCCP (Office of Federal Contract Compliance, US Department of Labor) regulation was to provide opportunity for all qualified candidates to be considered fairly. Beyond the legal requirement, employers know it is a best practice to standardize their process of collecting applications in order to ensure equity in the hiring process.
Think of your resume as your marketing flyer, making you memorable so that the employer is interested in talking to you more, which is why format, design, and proofreading are all important components along with content. Then, the application will follow as the legal documentation for a specific position, allowing the employer to evaluate all applicants’ credentials consistently and paving the way for a potential offer. The online application allows the employer to gather information that may not be included on a resume, such as mailing address, full dates of employment history, and references. It streamlines their process to compare applications more uniformly.
Remember, some of the representatives who attend Career Days at Mines may have been in your shoes as a student not so very long ago. They may feel just as nervous and uncertain about Career Day conversations as you! Employers love to send Mines alumni back to recruit here, knowing they may be best suited to evaluating the Mines experiences. Your success will be enhanced by preparing your self-introduction and questions you are truly interested in exploring with the representatives. See “Tools for Engineering your Career: The Mines Strategy” for more Career Day success tips.
Pro tip: research the employers ahead of time, and apply on-line to any openings that are appealing. Then, you can start your conversation with the recruiter at Career Day by saying, after your strong introduction: “I noticed (blank) position, and it looked exactly like what I’m looking for, so I’ve already applied on-line. Can you tell me more about this role and your company?” This way, you can instantly deepen the conversation and create a connection for future follow up. Be sure to ask how you may stay in touch with them, perhaps through a LinkedIn connection or an email address to send your thank you message.
What Should I Wear to Career Days?
Students are encouraged to dress professionally for Career Days, so as to leave the best possible impression on employers. This typically means:
- Clothes
- Solid, dark, or neutral colors
- Light colors worn underneath
- No stripes or bright colors/print
- Shoes
- Closed-toed heels, flats, or dress shoes
- Suit jacket & Pants
- Should be matching or coordinating colors
Check the Mines Strategy for more details!
What Can I Bring to Career Days?
Students attending are encouraged to bring a folder of resumes to the event as well as their lanyard (if they had their badge printed early).
Student backpacks will not be allowed in the venue and can be stored at a designated location outside of the venue. This year, backpacks must be stored in the Brown Hall 1st floor designated area (follow signs and directions day-of)
How Can I Best Prepare for Career Days?
Career Days can be overwhelming, but the Career Center provides a variety of services before the event itself to prepare students for interacting with employers!
Students can:
- Schedule an appointment with one of our Career Advisors before the event to review their resume, practice interviewing, and more!
- Attend Workshops being held in the days and weeks before the event for specific advice
- Consult the Mines Strategy for tips on everything career-related
- Research companies of interest beforehand, using the list found on Career Fair Plus
How Can I Print my Resume?
The Career Center will have a printer designated for resume printing in the weeks leading up to Career Days, for students to print from free of charge!
How Can I Skip the Line at Career Days?
By getting your badge printed early at the Career Center in advance (see above for more information), students can skip the line at Career Days!
Other Unanswered Questions?
Check out the Mines Strategy for comprehensive information on everything career-related, be it resume-building, interviewing tips, or Career Days prep.
Otherwise, you are welcome to email us at careercenter@mines.edu with additional questions!
Strong Partnerships
Our Recruiters
“Please continue to host these events. We love participating in them virtually as well because our primary recruiting team is located in our headquarters, so this enables more of us to participate”
– World Wide Technology
Our Recruiters
“The students blew us away. They were professional, motivated and impressive and we wish we could have hired all of them. It was also great talking with women with STEM degrees—that kind of representation matters”
– JT4
Career Days can be an important step in your career journey. Use our resources to
maximize your time at these events.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
The Colorado School of Mines Career Center is committed to embracing the inclusion and diversity of our campus community, thereby creating equal opportunity for everyone. We feel that acknowledging, respecting, and promoting each student and graduate, with their distinctive combination of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status or military service, and socioeconomic background, brings a creative, innovative and valued new workforce to our family of employers.
Those with accessibility accommodations or support needs are encouraged to contact L. Jane Cain at 303-273-3233, lcain@mines.edu.