Handshake has recently introduced peer-to-peer messaging to its platform. This feature allows students and alums to send messages to each other. Messages can be sent both within Boston University as well as to students/alums at other colleges within the Handshake network.
In order to take part in peer messaging, you will have to set your privacy setting set to public. Only users with public profiles are able to send and receive messages. To make your profile public, select Settings & Privacy from the pull down menu under the tab with your name on your Handshake homepage. Under the Privacy section select Community. This will make your profile visible to employers, students, and alums across all Handshake colleges. It will also allow you to message students and alums. You change your privacy setting at any time.
Peers can be a great resource to you in your college life and beyond. The peer messaging feature in Handshake is a great way for students to share their knowledge and experiences and to help each other out.
Peer messaging will allow you to identify students/alums with similar backgrounds to you. You can also reach out to individuals for advice regarding careers and professional experience. To begin messaging, go to the Students tab on your Handshake homepage. You can search students by major, school year, previous employer, and student clubs. You can also limit your search to BU only if you only want to message BU students/alums. Once you have identified the individual you would like to message, click on Message next to the person’s profile. When you begin your message, you will first have to agree to the professional content guidelines for messaging. You then will be prompted to select a topic for your message. Topics include: Professional Experience, Education Recommendations, Resume Advice, Interview Advice, Reviews or Q&A, and Other career related topic. After selecting your topic, you can then craft and send your message. The person receiving the message will have to accept the message in order to reply. You will get a notification from Handshake once the person responds to your message.
With peer messaging you will also be able to receive messages sent to you by other students/alums. When you are messaged, you will receive an email notification from Handshake. There is also a Message tab on your Handshake homepage where you can access your messages. You can either accept or decline any messages that are sent to you. Accepting will allow you to respond to the message. You can also flag messages if they are not within the appropriate content guidelines. Flagging will block the person from messaging you.
We encourage you take advantage of this great feature!
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