After the fall of Enron, the tragedy of Sept. 11 and the economic recession that followed, some students are wondering how these events will affect them and their job search.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), consulting employers in 2001 accounted for more reported offers to graduating students than any other type of employer. In 2002, consulting employers rank 11th in terms of the number of offers and took a 10 percent drop from last year's salary report.

Although some employers have remained top employers, others have dropped quite a few notches, according to the NACE.

Preparing for a career fair š let alone a job interview — can be an unsettling and rewarding experience, but now some students are worrying about if the market has changed and if job opportunities are available at all.

Graduating students will have to start looking earlier, many advisors and students say.

"I think because of the recent events it is a much more difficult job market. Students will find that the job market is unfriendly to them compared to before," said Austin Jaffe, business administration professor.

Advice given to students looking for jobs can be found in the seminars that the university's colleges provide.

"On the current situation, it is a pent up demand for talent not removing demand. The long-term outlook for jobs is good. It's a cycle and it's a matter of waiting it out," said Ralph Oliva, director of the Institution for the Study of Business Markets in the Smeal College of Business. "Extend your professional contacts — that's your fastest key to securing a job."

Some students said they find the seminars, sponsored every semester, beneficial to their networking etiquette, interviewing etiquette and in creating a resume that works. Although the recession has frightened some students about job opportunities, these seminars and workshops can help give direction, according to the Career Services Web site.

"Take advantage of career fairs and go to the seminars so that your resume is prepared," said Jim Bischoff (senior-architectural engineering).

According to the NACE, students will want to "put their best foot forward" with employers, and that includes their clothes, hair and handshake.

According to the results of NACE's Job Outlook 2002 survey, 92 percent of employers say candidate's overall presentation influences their opinion of the candidate, including 69 percent who said it had a strong influence.

Brooke Thomson (senior-chemical engineering) said, "I was nervous on my first interview, but I went to all the job sessions and I knew the company's history and I was prepared."

Attending workshops provided by the Career Development Center can make the interviewing experience a lot smoother, students and officials said.

"We have a lot of services that students can take advantage of. We have workshops, individual counseling and a career information center. There are so many resources available for Penn State students as well as Penn State alumni," said Jack Rayman, director of Career Services.

Marcus Whitehurst, director of Multicultural Resource Center agreed.

"The Multicultural Resource Center works collaboratively with the Career Services so the information that is given is uniform throughout the university," Whitehurst said.

Plenty of officials and students had advice ready at hand for those preparing for the job search.

"In college they give you a standard way of creating a resume, but you have to take that and make it your own so that you stand out. Companies look for individuality," Thomson said.

A key tool many agreed upon was work experience.

"You have to also get as much relevant work experience and do whatever you can to set yourself (apart) from the competition," said Robin Stevens, director of corporate relations in the Smeal College of Business.

Thomson agreed. "I took part in internships and co-ops. I also got credit for those through school so that was great. With my work experience and activities it made me stand out from others," she said.

Another key to the job search is networking.

"Create relationships with alumni because that is an excellent networking tool. Join Lion Link and the Alumni Association — that can really help you later on. But, for the undergraduate students they should take advantage of recruiting activities and the seminars held to prepare them for job interviewing," Stevens said.

"Right now, it's a time for aggressive and professional networking," Oliva said. "Networking is a must today."