Recruiting Policies & Guidelines

At the Colorado School of Mines, the Career Center is committed to maintaining a fair and transparent recruitment process that supports student autonomy and access to a wide range of career opportunities. All employer partners are thoroughly vetted prior to gaining access to our recruitment services, including our employer database, DiggerNet. This vetting process ensures that each organization adheres to our clearly outlined recruitment policies, which are publicly available on our website.

The Career Center does not restrict access based on industry type or the specific nature of work, provided the employer meets our established criteria. We believe that Mines students are capable of making informed decisions about their career paths based on their individual goals and values. Our role is to facilitate access—not to limit it—so students can explore opportunities that align with their personal and professional aspirations, free from institutional bias.

Mines is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment for all guests engaging with our community, including employer representatives. Students are expected to uphold campus conduct standards, which prohibit disruptive behavior, threats, harassment, or any actions that may endanger others or interfere with authorized campus activities. Disagreement with an employer’s industry or mission does not justify conduct that violates Mines policies. All members of the campus community are expected to engage with professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Employers are eligible to recruit at Mines via DiggerNet (Symplicity) at no cost,  if the position they are posting is a legitimate full-time or part-time position or an internship.

To create an account in DiggerNet, all employers are required to use a company website, a company email address, and a company mailing address in their account registration. It is our policy not to approve ANY accounts that do not possess a valid website, that utilize non-company email addresses (e.g. Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, Live, etc.), or that use residential homes for business. Not only does a website assist us in verifying the legitimacy of companies who request an account, but it also gives students an additional resource in researching a potential employer.

Fees
Positions requiring candidates to pay an application fee or to purchase equipment, supplies, travel, or training are not eligible to be posted or to be recruited for through the Mines Career Center. Exceptions may be made for positions requiring federal and/or state licensing such as real estate, securities, etc.

Colorado School of Mines Career Center is a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), the national professional association to facilitate the employment of the college educated. As members, we abide by the Principles for Professional Practice, an ethics document that serves as the framework and foundation for practices within the career planning, placement, and recruitment processes. We expect all employers recruiting at Mines to follow these guidelines in addition to the ones listed below.

Resources for Recruting Best Practices: 

• Setting Reasonable Deadlines for Job Offers 

• Professional Standards for University Relations & Recruiting (NACE account required)

Unpaid Internships

All job and internship opportunities must be paid and meet minimum wage standards. Unpaid internships will not be approved. For more information regarding the value of internships and the importance of paid opportunities, please see the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Internship Guide.

Additional Resources:

• NACE: Unpaid Internships And The Need For Federal Action

General Job Postings – Non-STEM

Career Center recruitment services are reserved for employers offering positions that align with the academic preparation, technical expertise, and professional experience of Colorado School of Mines students and graduates. Eligible opportunities typically require a college degree or are directly related to STEM disciplines represented at Mines.

Organizations seeking to fill positions that are general in nature, do not require college-level education, or fall outside the scope of STEM-related career paths are not eligible to participate in Career Center recruiting programs or post positions through Mines channels.

Colorado School of Mines Career Center is committed to equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status (as defined in the Immigration Reform and Control Act), disability, and veteran’s status. We are dedicated to providing all of our departmental programs and activities to Mines students on a nondiscriminatory basis. These equal employment opportunities extend to several aspects of the employment relationship including recruiting, interviewing, and selection and hiring. Compliance with federal and state equal opportunity laws is a requirement of any company requesting to be present on our campus. It is also expected that employers and their representatives eliminate harassment of all forms in their recruiting, hiring, and selection process.

Employers recruiting for work outside of the United States are expected to adhere to the equal employment opportunity (EEO) policy as described above. It is expected that these employers will advise the Career Center and the students of the realities of working in their particular country and of any cultural and foreign law differences.

Colorado School of Mines adheres to the professional and ethical standards established by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) in its Principles for Third-Party Recruiters. These standards ensure the appropriate use and protection of student educational and employment information.

Third-party employment services (TPES), including employment agencies, search firms, executive headhunters, and temporary or staffing agencies acting on behalf of client organizations, are not permitted to post positions in DiggerNet or otherwise represent client openings through the Mines Career Center. Additionally, third-party recruiters and staffing agencies are not eligible to participate in any on-campus recruiting activities.

Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) organizations are not eligible to participate in employer services at Colorado School of Mines.

MLM organizations are defined as companies that engage in recruitment or compensation practices inconsistent with Mines’ commitment to fair and ethical employment standards. Examples include:

• Companies that require individuals to purchase products, services, or sales kits as a condition of employment or participation.
• Companies that require individuals to recruit others to sell or purchase products or services as part of their compensation structure.
• Companies that require individuals to pay a fee to become an employee, representative, or distributor of the organization.
• Companies that require individuals to pay fees to attend orientations, trainings, or service opportunities, with the exception of costs associated with professional licensure or certifications.
• Commission-only positions that do not provide a guaranteed base salary meeting minimum wage standards.

This policy ensures that all employment opportunities promoted through Colorado School of Mines support transparent, ethical, and equitable recruitment practices for students and alumni.

Colorado School of Mines receives federal funding and Colorado School of Mines Career Center is limited to posting jobs that comply with both federal and state laws. Therefore, organizations involved in the production and/or promotion of marijuana, which is non-compliant with federal law, are not eligible to utilize Colorado School of Mines career services to recruit.

Employers involved exclusively in hemp production and/or hemp research may be eligible to utilize career services if they can provide the following:

1. Evidence that they are registered with the State of Colorado Department of Agriculture, AND
2. Information regarding the THC levels of the products they are producing, refining, or handling for research purpose

Counsel will be sought from Colorado School of Mines’ legal department as needed to ensure compliance with university policy as well as state and federal law.

Colorado School of Mines does not permit teaching abroad agencies to recruit on campus or use Mines Career Center services. This policy is in place to protect students from unclear or potentially exploitative employment arrangements.

Many of these organizations require applicants to pay fees for placement, training, or participation, or fail to provide transparent information about the actual employer, job duties, or working conditions. Mines upholds strict standards to ensure all employment opportunities are legitimate, transparent, and compliant with fair labor practices.

The Colorado School of Mines Career Center is committed to connecting students and alumni with high-quality employment and experiential learning opportunities that reflect the university’s academic mission and professional standards. To ensure student safety and uphold professional integrity, the Career Center restricts participation in its services to verified, professionally operated organizations.

Businesses that operate primarily from a private residence or offer services performed in a private home, such as childcare, elder care, housekeeping, landscaping, or personal care, are not eligible to access Career Center services. This policy protects student safety, maintains compliance with university risk management and liability standards, and upholds the integrity of the recruiting process by ensuring that all opportunities occur in structured, professional environments. All participating employers must be properly registered and in Good Standing with the Secretary of State in the state where they operate.

Career Center recruitment services are reserved for companies with opportunities that align with the skills and experience of Mines students and graduates. This means those that are STEM oriented and require college experience. Companies with positions that are general in nature and do not require college experience are not eligible for service.