Rice University’s Center for Career Development (CCD) strives to fulfill its mission of educating, connecting, and empowering students to find and make their place in the world.
Why These Policies Matter
At Rice, we view every interaction with an employer or alum as a step toward your professional future. These policies are designed to help you build habits of accountability and excellence that will serve you throughout your career. By following these guidelines, you not only ensure you are putting your best foot forward, but you also help uphold Rice’s reputation for professionalism, ensuring that top-tier employers continue to recruit and invest in our talented student body.
CCD Appointments
Our appointments are in high demand, particularly during peak recruiting seasons.
- Cancellations: If you cannot attend, please email your counselor as soon as possible to free up the slot for another student.
- Punctuality: Appointments are held until the 15-minute mark. After this, the appointment is considered cancelled.
- Late Arrival: Appointments cannot be extended. If you arrive late (but before 15 minutes), only the remaining time in your original slot may be used.
Event Attendance and RSVPs
To view and register for upcoming events, you can log in to 12twenty. When registering for an event such as a recruiting presentation, coffee chat, Lunch & Learn, or Career Night in 12twenty, you agree to attend and conduct yourself professionally when engaging with employers. This includes signing in with the CCD staff representative to confirm your attendance and abiding by the dress code listed for the event in 12twenty.
Employers plan their visits and resources based on RSVP counts in 12twenty. If you are unable to attend an event for which you have previously registered, you are required to cancel your registration in 12twenty at least 24 hours before the event starts. If you must cancel within the 24-hour window, you must email the CCD and the primary event contact listed in 12twenty to notify us of your planned absence.
Failure to abide by this policy will result in the following measures:
- For a first and second absence, you will receive a written warning from the CCD.
- For a third absence, your access to 12twenty – including appointments, events, workshops, and job postings – will be suspended pending a meeting with CCD leadership.
- For coffee chats and on-campus interviews, an absence without prior notification will result in the immediate suspension of your 12twenty account pending a meeting with CCD leadership and a written apology to the employer.
We understand that unexpected circumstances come up, and we are here to support you in making a positive impression when engaging with employers on campus. If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at ccd@rice.edu so we can help you.
Job Offers and Reneging
- Exploding Offers: If you are being pressured by an accelerated offer decision timeline, email the CCD at ccd@rice.edu. Our counselors can help you manage the decision-making process.
- Reneging: The CCD highly discourages reneging on a signed offer. Doing so will result in a suspension of 12twenty privileges and an in-person meeting with the CCD Executive Director.
Professional Attire Guidelines
When you're planning to attend an event, you should always check the Dress Attire listed on the event page in 12twenty to understand how the employer expects you to present yourself. Regardless of the dress code, your clothes should always be clean, well-fitted, and free of wrinkles and stains.
| Attire | Typical Pieces | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| Business Professional | Full suits (black, gray, navy), button-down with tie, or pant/skirt suit with blouse. | Interviews, high-level formal settings. |
| Business Smart | Slacks/skirts with blouses or button-downs. Blazers are great; ties are optional. | Career Expos, Career Nights, and Networking. |
| Business Casual | Khaki pants or slacks with a collared shirt, a neat blouse with a skirt, or a comfortable dress with a sweater or light jacket. | Site visits, Lunch & Learns, and Coffee Chats. |
| Casual | Non-ripped jeans/chinos, solid t-shirts (no graphics), neat sneakers. | Events where "Casual" is listed. |
Note: Flip-flops, Crocs, athletic wear, and revealing clothing (crop tops/cut-off shorts) are not acceptable for CCD recruiting events.
Need professional attire?
Dressing professionally is a key step in making a great first impression, but we recognize that building a career wardrobe can be a prohibitive expense for students. Rice students can access business wear through CCD initiatives:
- CCD Career Closet: We host Career Closet Pop-Up Shops where students can choose and keep free, gently used professional clothing. Check out the events tab on 12twenty for the next Career Closet shopping date. If you have an immediate need for attire for an interview, presentation, or conference, email us at ccd@rice.edu to schedule a time to shop the closet.
- Community Partner Referrals: We partner with Dress for Success Houston and Career Gear Houston. To receive support from these partners, schedule a Professional Attire Referral Appointment via 12twenty. Your advisor will guide you through the process for these organizations. We recommend scheduling referrals a few weeks before your event to ensure a perfect fit!