Quick Poll Results: Student Activity Up, Employer Activity Down

The January 22 issue of Spotlight Online includes findings from a recent quick poll of NACE college members (http://www.naceweb.org/spotlight/2009/c012109.htm). The poll compared student and employer activity this year to last year at the same time. Among the findings:

Student traffic at career centers has increased significantly this year: Fifty-one percent of respondents reported an increase in traffic compared with 20 percent who are seeing a decrease. Virtually all types of students are expressing a concern over market conditions, but undergraduate business majors are particularly affected.

Employer activity decreased in the fall. To measure extent of change, NACE created an index that indicates:

Career fair activity decreased marginally

Employer information sessions were down noticeably

On-campus interviewing decreased significantly

Job postings were down significantly (near estimated 10 percent overall)

Most career centers are addressing the market situation using multiple actions, including:

Outreach to employers to attract them to campus

Special job-search workshops

Special information presentations about the economy

Increased outreach to students to bring them to the career center

Outreach to alumni as a job source

Added services and staff

The same issue of Spotlight Online highlights some of the programs and services career services professionals are implementing to meet the current challenge. What’s happening on your campus? And what are you doing to help students?