Jobs.
Everyone has to get one sooner or later - but many students have found that making career choices is rather difficult.
How do you find a job that is a good match for your personal interests and the range of jobs that are out there? What factors make a company "good" to work for?
Experts say there are several key characteristics to look for in a company.
Potential employees should find out what is involved with a particular job, like the "size" of the job, amount of responsibilty expected and the type of training needed to enter the field.
What does the job pay and what benefits, like health or child care, are offered? What is the work environment like - the building, the location, the other employees - and will aspects like regular traveling be expected? Does the job offer potential career ladders and promotions? What are the future prospects for the particular career itself?
Students at the CP&P Career Fair earlier this month also commented on what factors they look for when searching for an "ideal" company.
"I look at the overall 'culture' of a company," said Kathleen Marinelli, an LSA senior graduating in December.
"A good training program is also a very important issue for me. I find myself steering away from the huge companies that require very intense training and have very stressful atmospheres," Marinelli said.
Many students said that location of a company is not a significant factor when looking for jobs.
"I think if you find a job that you like, where you live is a secondary factor," said LSA senior Johanna Ott.
At the other end of the scale, what skills define a desirable employee?
Many recruiters at the Career Fair said they look for strong communication skills in potential employees.
"Individuals who present themselves as very interested, prepared and organized are those we remember the most at job fairs," said Jennifer Wurdock, a human resources administrator at American Systems Technology Inc.
Angie Popek, a representative of The Boston Consulting Group, added that "strong quantitative skills, as well as good leadership and communication skills, are qualities that definitely impress potential employers."
Malcolm Cohen, a University socio-researcher, said the projected shift in careers in the upcoming decades will necessitate a greater need for specific skills for employees.
"There is a definite need for increased computer literacy in the future," Cohen said. "This, in combination with a strong ability to communicate and work effectively with others, as well as good analytic and problem-solving skills, will place any potential employee at a greater advantage in the job world."
Cohen also stressed that the University provides opportunities to garner these skills.
"Any undergrad who can gain these skills, and put them to use, regardless of their field of study, is very well-positioned for success in the 21st century."
1. General Motors
2. Ford Motor
3. Exxon
4. Wal-Mart Stores
5. AT&T
6. General Electric
7. International Business Machines
8. Mobil
9. Sears Roebuck
10. Philip Morris
11. Chrysler
12. U.S. Postal Service
13. State Farm Group
14. Prudential Insurance Company of America
15. E. I. Du Pont de Nemours
16. KMart
17. Texaco
18. Citicorp
19. Chevron
20. Procter & Gamble