| Just because you have been accepted by a great | | | | 8. Does the college provide an easy way for you to |
| college, it doesn't mean that the college is the right | | | | contact alumni in your field of interest? |
| one for you. Although all colleges have a reputation, | | | | 9. Are Professors in your field doing work that is of |
| some better than others, they also have individual | | | | interest to potential employers? Whatexactly are |
| reputations in the various fields of study (majors) | | | | they working on? Projects, books, consulting |
| that they offer. Some of those reputations are | | | | assignments, etc.? |
| great, some are fair and many have not yet | | | | 10. Are college courses and equipment cutting edge |
| emerged. However, you may not realize that the | | | | or at least up to date? (In technicalfields, what you |
| best employers usually only conduct interviews at | | | | learn in your Freshman year may be out of date by |
| colleges that have a good reputation in a few fields | | | | the time yougraduate.) |
| that are of interest. | | | | 11. Will Professors, Advisors and Counselors be willing |
| Additionally, employers do not recruit equally in each | | | | to meet with you frequently, asyou have questions |
| field, even at the best colleges. For students in many | | | | or need help? |
| majors, not a single employer will visit the campus to | | | | 12. Do the Career Services people begin working with |
| interview students and may not even list a single job | | | | you in the Freshman year toexplain what you should |
| opening. That is why only about one percent of the | | | | be doing and keep you focused on what is needed |
| students nationwide are interviewed on campus, | | | | to land agreat job? |
| much less get offered a job. Generally, technical | | | | 13. How many students does each Career Services |
| majors draw the most interest. | | | | Professional handle? Is that areasonable number of |
| As High School students and their parents investigate, | | | | students? |
| visit and evaluate colleges, they should be armed | | | | 14. Talk directly with the Career Services |
| with a series of questions, like the ones that follow: | | | | Professionals and then verify their answers |
| 1. Which colleges are well known for their work in | | | | withseveral College Seniors, in your major. Does the |
| your field of study? | | | | Career Services Office actually teach,coach and guide |
| 2. Which colleges offer Co-Op, Internships and Part | | | | you in the specifics of what to do each semester, so |
| Time work in your field? | | | | you will becompletely prepared for your senior year |
| 3. Do Professors at each college regularly interact | | | | job search? Or, do they simply postresources on |
| with employers in your field? How manyemployers? | | | | their web site, leaving you to figure it out? |
| Which Ones? | | | | Believe me, it takes more than a generic, one page |
| 4. How many employers, in your field of study, | | | | resume and a list of potential resources to land a |
| actually visited these colleges to interviewstudents in | | | | great job, at a good salary, with a respected |
| each of the last few years? What are the names of | | | | employer. Therefore, it requires a well |
| those employers? | | | | choreographed, four year effort on the part of a |
| 5. Will the college help you make contacts for | | | | college to ensure that students receive the |
| summer employment in your field? Howmany | | | | information, tools, techniques, assistance and |
| students were helped last year? | | | | guidance needed for job hunting success. |
| 6. Do Professors in your field look for help from | | | | Your challenge begins with the initial college search. |
| students on research projects, books andpapers? | | | | Savvy students and their parents should consider the |
| What are the odds that you can help out? | | | | issues presented above, as they search for their |
| 7. Do Professors, Career Services and Alumni | | | | right college. Why not graduate from a college with a |
| Association personnel at the collegeregularly have | | | | great reputation in your field of study, one that also |
| contact with alumni who currently work in your field? | | | | aggressively maximizes your training and preparation |
| How many alumni? | | | | for the senior year job search? |
| At which employers? | | | | |