More companies are coming to Dartmouth to recruit every year, and Dartmouth seniors seem more stressed-out than ever.
The number of companies recruiting Dartmouth students increased by 186 percent last year and 137 percent the year before last, Associate Director of Career Services Kathryn Hutchinson said.
Hutchinson said Dartmouth is a favorite with recruiters.
"Employers are really thinking through what level of candidate and what kind of school they want to do business with," she said.
Seniors have discovered that looking for a job after college is a lot of work. Hutchinson said the application and resume-writing process is as much work as writing a major research paper.
Most students participating in corporate recruiting submit between one and 30 applications to employers, Hutchinson said. Dartmouth students will send about 5,000 cover letters to employers during Career Services' three major recruiting cycles.
But Career Services tries to minimize seniors' stress. In addition to referring seniors' resumes to employers, the office maintains a library of potential jobs.
Career Services "had a lot of information available," Jean Lee '97 said. "They handle everything."
But not all students are pleased with Career Services.
Lisa Prunty '97 said the office "is not big enough, and it's always too hot and too crowded."
"I think on other campuses it's a lot better," she said. At Dartmouth "you dread going up there."
Recruiters from certain fields tend to visit the College less than recruiters for more-traditional fields for Dartmouth students, like investment banking and consulting.
"The College pushes you into corporate finance and accounting," said Brian Buchwald '97, who said he would like to work for an investment banking or consulting firm.
David Kosloff '97, a student interested in writing for satire magazines, said Career Services' resources are inadequate. "I did most of the research myself," he said.
Andrea Krumholz '97, who is applying for jobs with two companies and medical school, said Career Services is not particularly helpful to those interested in healthcare.
Some students say they feel uncertain about their future.
Kristin Canavan '97 said she plans to return to her parents' home if she cannot find a job.
"I keep telling my parents not to change my room anytime soon," she said.
