Students will search for jobs on a new platform beginning later this month.

The student job search platform Handshake will replace GWork in an effort to increase student engagement with GW’s career service online system, officials said last week.

Rachel Brown, the assistant provost for University Career Services, said the Career Services Council’s technology project team – made up of faculty, staff and students – has been researching alternatives to GWork for nearly a year.

“The project team recommended this transition in an effort to continue to provide a high level of service to students, alumni and employers who access the University’s career services systems,” she said in an email.

Student employers were notified of the change in an email May 24 that called Handshake “a modern platform for college recruiting.” GWork accounts will be deactivated June 30, according to the email, which was obtained by The Hatchet.

Brown said the new system has a “student-friendly” interface, which has received positive feedback in the past from student users at other universities.

“Handshake will be easier for students to access – all students will log in through one portal – and they will have one place to see a variety of career programs, shared resources and individual services available to them,” she said.

Brown said the project team collected feedback from students and staff on several potential systems before settling on Handshake, which was the “top recommendation” of the Career Services Council and was endorsed by Provost Forrest Maltzman earlier in the spring.

She said the new system will be mutually beneficial for students and employers, who will be able to connect with one another more easily.

“This easier method for employers to expand their reach with new schools should open new opportunities for GW students at employers in a broader range of industries across the country,” Brown said.

Handshake is currently used at several of the University’s peer institutions, including Boston University, the University of Miami and Duke University. More than six million college students at more than 350 universities currently use the service, according to the company’s website.

“The feedback from other universities that have transitioned to Handshake is extremely positive – particularly around student engagement with the system – with increased student satisfaction, engagement and increased internship and job opportunities that were available for their students,” she said.