Expos & Recruiting Events

Career & Internship Expos

Spring 2026 Career & Internship Expo

February 6, 2026 · 10 am - 3 pm

Rice University, Gibbs Recreation Center

Join us at the Spring 2026 Career & Internship Expo and connect with talented students and recent graduates from Rice University, one of the nation’s premier teaching and research institutions. This event offers a platform for employers to showcase their brand, discuss career paths, and recruit top talent across a wide range of disciplines. If you are unsure whether the Expo is a good fit for your organization, please contact us at ccdexpo@rice.edu. We are happy to consult with you about how to maximize your recruiting presence at Rice University.

Registration

Registration for the Career & Internship Expo is open in 12twenty (rice.12twenty.com/hire). Early registration is encouraged, as the space at the Expo is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rice offers an Early Bird rate through December 19, 2025, as well as discounted rates for nonprofit and government organizations.

If you have not previously used Rice University's 12twenty site for recruiting, please create a free employer account here to access the direct registration links below. Once you have an account, you can complete your registration here.

Sponsorship

Sponsors of the Rice University Center for Career Development leverage a comprehensive suite of recruiting and marketing benefits for the Career & Internship Expo in addition to year-round benefits. Sponsors receive a premium Expo booth and enhanced promotion of their organization and opportunities to Rice talent. More information on our sponsorship opportunities can be found here.

Questions?

Please review our frequently asked questions below or contact our team at ccdexpo@rice.edu or 713-348-4055.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Career & Internship Expo?

The Career & Internship Expo will be held on February 6, 2026.

The Expo will take place in Gibbs Recreation Center on the campus of Rice University from 10 am until 3 pm. We recommend employers arrive between 8:30 and 9 am to set up and ask that employers make arrangements to staff their Expo booth until the end of the event at 3 pm.

How can I register for the Career & Internship Expo?

Registration for the Career & Internship Expo is open in 12twenty, Rice’s career management platform (rice.12twenty.com/hire). If you have not previously used Rice University's 12twenty site for recruiting, please create a free employer account here to access the direct registration links below.

Once you have an account, you can complete your registration here.

What are the opportunities to sponsor the Career & Internship Expo?

Elevate your presence at the Career & Internship Expo by becoming a sponsor and unlocking exclusive benefits such as premium booth placement, enhanced marketing recognition, and the opportunity to customize your brand promotion to students. Sponsorship not only increases your visibility but also directly supports the Center for Career Development's vital services for Rice students, allowing you to cultivate stronger connections with top talent and build a lasting presence on campus. Rice University offers various sponsorship options tailored to meet different organizational needs and budgets. Read more about sponsorship opportunities here.

What are the registration fees for the Career and Internship Expo?

Rice offers an Early Bird rate through December 19, 2025 as well as discounted rates for nonprofit and government organizations.

Early Bird Registration Rates (before December 19, 2025):

Industry/For-Profit Corporations: $500
Government and Non-Profits: $250
Graduate Programs (recruiting prospective students): $300

Regular Registration Rates (after December 19, 2025):

Industry/For-Profit Corporations: $650
Government and Non-Profits: $300
Graduate Programs (recruiting prospective students): $350

Registration and invoicing are managed through 12twenty (rice.12twenty.com/hire). Please email ccdexpo@rice.edu with any questions about Expo registration fees. Registration for the Expo includes a 6 ft Expo booth with two chairs. Registration automatically includes parking for two vehicles and meals (breakfast and lunch) for two representatives. Add-on items are available upon registration in 12twenty.

Does Rice offer a discounted rate for nonprofits and government entities interested in attending the Expo?

Yes! We are pleased to offer a discounted registration rate for the Career & Internship Expo to nonprofit organizations and government entities.

Early Bird Registration (before December 19, 2025):

One day: $250

Regular Registration (after December 19, 2025):

One day: $300

Graduate programs attending the Expo to recruit students are welcome to attend the Expo. Graduate programs are not eligible for the nonprofit registration rate. The fee to attend the Expo for graduate programs is $300 at the Early Bird rate (before December 19, 2025) and $350 at the regular registration rate (after December 19, 2025).

Are graduate program (master's and doctoral degree programs) recruiters welcome to attend the Expo?

Yes! Graduate programs attending the Expo to recruit students are welcome to attend the Expo. Graduate programs are not eligible for the nonprofit registration rate. The fee to attend the Expo for graduate programs is $300 at the Early Bird rate (before December 19, 2025) and $350 at the regular registration rate (after December 19, 2025).

Higher education institutions hiring for jobs and internships may register at the nonprofit/government rate.

When are registration fees for the Expo due?

Once the Rice team has reviewed and approved your Expo registration, you will receive an invoice via 12twenty. Payment is due upon receipt of the invoice. If you register at the Early Bird rate, you must submit payment by December 19, 2025, or your registration fee will be raised to the regular registration rate.

If your invoice has not been paid by February 2, 2026, the Rice team will cancel your registration. If your organization has extenuating circumstances and needs an extension, please contact us at ccdexpo@rice.edu.

Is there a deadline for registration?

We encourage early registration, especially to take advantage of the Early Bird rates before December 19, 2025. Registration is typically on a first-come, first-served basis, and we may meet our capacity limits for the event before the end of January.

What is included in registration for the Career & Internship Expo?

Registration for the Expo includes a 6 ft Expo booth with two chairs. Registration automatically includes parking for two vehicles and meals (breakfast and lunch) for two representatives. Add-on items are available upon registration in 12twenty:

Electricity Access at Expo Booth: $15/day
Additional Representative (parking and meals): $30/day

If you have already registered but need to confirm or amend your add-on items, please contact ccdexpo@rice.edu.

I need to change or add something to my Expo registration. How do I make updates?

To update your registration, please email us at ccdexpo@rice.edu. Once your registration is approved on 12twenty, you will not be able to update it directly within the platform, but we are happy to make changes for you.

I need to cancel my Expo registration. What is the cancellation policy?

The cancellation policy for the Spring 2026 Career & Internship Expo is based upon the date by which you cancel your registration.

Cancellation before January 1, 2026: Full refund minus a 10% cancellation fee
Cancellation between January 1 - August 16, 2026: 75% refund minus a 10% cancellation fee
Cancellation after January 16, 2026: No refund.

How should we prepare for the Career & Internship Expo?

To maximize your experience at the Career & Internship Expo:

Plan to promote available jobs and internships. Consider promoting roles across a variety of departments and functions to maximize your company’s time at the Expo.

Post the roles you will recruit for on 12twenty (rice.12twenty.com/hire). There is no fee to post jobs for Rice talent on 12twenty, and you can route interested applicants back to your company site, if desired.
Plan who from your company will attend the Expo. We recommend sending representatives who can speak about various roles. If your organization already has some Rice alumni on board, we’d love to welcome them back to campus for the Expo.

Be prepared to answer questions about whether or not your company is able to hire international students. Please review this guide for U.S. employers interested in hiring international students.

Plan your Expo booth setup. Popular booths at Rice Expos often include materials and/or displays to start conversations about your company’s products or services. Unique giveaway items are also encouraged! You are welcome to ship items to Rice for the Expo; please see the shipping question in this FAQ for the shipping instructions.

Arrive ready to engage with Rice talent! The most effective recruiters actively engage students at the Expo.

What should we bring to the Expo?

Employers are welcome to bring materials to promote their company and opportunities. Please ensure all displays are freestanding and no wider than six feet. Space is limited, so be mindful of your neighbors and keep all displays within your booth area.

Popular booths at Rice Expos often include materials and/or displays to start conversations about your company’s products or services. Unique giveaway items are also encouraged!

Can I ship my booth materials to Rice before the Expo?

Yes, we are happy to accept shipments of your recruiting materials prior to the Expo. Clearly label all shipments with “Career Expo” and your company name. Your materials will be placed at your booth on the morning of the Expo. Space is limited, so be mindful of your neighbors and keep all displays within your booth area. All materials must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, to ensure delivery to the venue. The shipping address is:

Rice University Center for Career Development
6100 Main Street, MS 521
Houston, TX 77005
ATTN: Career Expo

When should we arrive for the Expo?

You may begin arriving and unloading at the Gibbs Recreation Center at 8:30 am. There will be signs around the campus to guide you to the venue and unloading areas. While you unload, you may temporarily park in front of Gibbs Recreation Center with your hazard lights on. Volunteers will be available to assist you with unloading. Do not block pedestrian walkways or bus stops, as the Rice University Police will ticket you.

Once you arrive at Gibbs Recreation Center, please visit the Employer Registration station inside to check in and find your booth. Employer guests must wear their Rice-provided name tag lanyards throughout the day to ensure the safety and security of our event.

Where will we park for the Expo?

Parking is available in Greenbriar Lot, located behind the Rice stadium, using entrance 13A. There will be signs directing you to the parking area, and you will see a tent inside the entrance. A parking attendant will greet you at the entrance of the lot. Be sure to let them know you are attending the Expo. Shuttles will be available throughout the day to take you back and forth to Gibbs Recreation Center. Please see a map of campus here. There are various credit card lots available around campus, but employer registration includes parking only in the Greenbriar lot. Employer guests are responsible for parking fees at any other lot on the Rice campus; no validations will be available.

I need accommodations for the Expo. Who do I contact?

If you or someone on your team needs a mother’s room, has dietary restrictions (beyond vegetarian or gluten-free), or requires other accommodations to participate fully in this event, please email ccdexpo@rice.edu as soon as possible.

What student groups will attend the Career & Internship Expo?

The Career & Internship Expo is open to all Rice students and alumni, including undergraduate students, master’s students, PhD students, and MBAs.

Rice University has academic schools in Architecture, Business, Engineering and Computing, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences. Please review a list of Rice’s undergraduate programs and graduate programs.

Our students are interested in working in a wide variety of industries and functions. If you have questions about whether or not your opportunities are the right fit for the Rice Expo, please contact us at ccdexpo@rice.edu.

What kinds of roles and opportunities can we promote at the Expo?

Opportunities promoted at the Expo must align with Rice University’s recruiting policies. Employers must be offering paid professional opportunities (such as full-time, part-time, and internship positions) for candidates with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees.

Employers may not promote positions at the Expo that are commission-only or commission-based, require students to work in a residential home (babysitting, tutoring, etc.), or require any upfront costs. Third-party recruiters at the Expo must disclose the company they are representing.