Campus recruitment by employers has always been in the form of job fairs and campus interviews. After the events that transpired in New York City, however, seniors at Dartmouth seeking employment will face somewhat limited options this year.
The immediate effects of the terrorist attacks have structurally damaged some companies to a degree such that recruiters will not visit Dartmouth.
Cantor Fitzgerald is among a few companies that will not recruit at Dartmouth at all this year due to the attacks, according to Asst. Career Services Director Monica Wilson. "I won't expect to see [Cantor Fitzgerald] this year. Haven't heard from them," she said. Rebuilding infrastructure is the company's foremost priority right now -- recruiting is a distant secondary concern.
The attacks exacerbated an already existing slowdown, making companies even more reluctant to pay travel expenses for recruiters. Students should not expect, however, to travel much themselves. There has been a noticeable shift towards rsum drops, in which students' rsums are collected and sent to employers. Consequently, a more extensive screening process has ensued and phone interviews are a necessity.
Although Mercer, a subsidiary of Marsh and McLennan, lost 292 employees in the New York City attacks, it will also make fewer new hires this year because of economic conditions. They will send less recruiters to campuses this year as a result.
In the wake of the detrimental economic effects of the World Trade Center attacks, certain career paths have become more difficult to pursue. Career opportunities in consulting and investment banking have decreased significantly. Wilson estimates that three to four percent of companies in these areas will send fewer recruiters to Dartmouth.
In contrast, other options have opened up to seniors looking for employment. Security related jobs, government positions, marketing and health care careers are in higher demand now than before the attacks.
Career Services has increased its efforts to accommodate seniors searching for jobs. The office now offers extensive online resources and walk-in hours for students on any day of the week.
Wilson advises students to "think outside of the box." There are plenty of job opportunities for seniors, she said, even in a more limited environment.
She also recommends that students "pursue other career options. Look at companies that may be a little bit different. Don't just look at the big names." According to Wilson, there are not-for-profit companies, many of which students often overlook, that pay well and need employees.
