As college seniors begin their final semester, many wonder what their career options will b following graduation this spring. Lisa Kastor, director of career services at The College of Wooster, evaluates the current job market and offers some helpful advice for members of the Class of 2004.

Q. Who is hiring?

A. Service-oriented organizations, such as the Peace Corps, are hiring. Environmental/ecological groups are also hiring, hoping to attract students for canvassing, fundraising, and lobbying activities. In the technical sector, there is an ongoing need for people who know software and can teach it to others. There is also renewed interest in international work, particularly students who can teach English in other countries.

Q. What are employers looking for?

A. Employers seek candidates who have the ability to demonstrate the skills necessary for a particular job. This requires in-depth preparation on the part of the candidates to learn about the needs of the organization they want to work for and then articulate what talents/skills/abilities/experiences they have to offer the employer. Employers are looking at an entire package. Fit counts.

Q. Which students are attracting the most attention?

A. Students with a broad base of experience are attractive to employers. This includes students who have spent a semester abroad; can converse in one or more additional languages; and have had hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work. We are finding that some employers will not hire students without these types of experiences. Students with well-developed written and verbal communication skills still stand out above the rest.

Q. What salary ranges and packages can students expect?

A. Liberal arts students can expect a starting salary somewhere between $25,000-$28,000. Technical positions will pay more. The highest offer I have seen in the past year is $44,000.

Q. Are there any geographic trends?

A. Most of the interest in Wooster comes from employers in the Midwest. Other cities that appear to be strong, based on our experience, are Washington D.C. Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and Chicago. Some of the southern states – Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi, in particular – are slow because of a tough economy.

Q. Have you spotted other trends?

A. One thing we have noticed is that fewer recruiters are coming to individual campuses, opting instead for consortia-driven events, like job fairs, where they can be more efficient and effective. Another thing we have noticed is that there are fewer true recruiters. This is probably a result of the downsizing in Human Resources divisions in the past few years. Instead, managers are meeting with the students in a less-formal setting, opting to meet casually over lunch. Also, some companies, like Procter & Gamble, test a candidate’s Internet savvy by requiring them to submit or post resumes online.

Q. Can alumni help?

A. Networking with alumni is a very effective way to help students through the search process. Alumni are happy to give advice and encouragement to current students. In some cases, they also have jobs to offer.