The college labor market hangs on a steep precipice. With employment opportunities down 8% from last year, the college market is only avoiding further collapse through the efforts of three groups of employers, according to the information provided by over 900 employers to Michigan State University's 2008-2009 Recruiting Trends survey. Two groups of large employers, those engaged in global talent wars or those pressed to sustain their workforce continuity pending boomer retirements, have pared out the fluff in their hiring targets to aggressively pursue members of this year's graduating class. The third group propping up hiring are fast-growth small companies who remain committed to growth, despite continuing struggles in the economy. Employers remain active on campus but have shifted their focus from on-campus recruiting to career fairs and to the expansion of their internship and co-op programs. Companies are using internship programs to create a pool of talent that may be converted into full-time hires when conditions improve. Fewer opportunities will be available to students in the spring. For those students who have not initiated their job search or even framed their employment expectations, a call to urgency is warranted. In light of the employment dynamics now in play, students need to be: FOCUSED DIRECTED CONNECTED Employers are turning to professional web-based networking groups and college faculty to identify the talent they seek. Building and maintaining professional networking relationships are even more critical than ever before for success in hiring and retention. College students should be working now with their institution's career services staff to help facilitate networking options. This year's 2008-09 Recruiting Trends 28-page booklet includes information on hiring by industry sector including top majors and salary information.

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