With 140 different academic programs on campus, there is no one way to conduct a job search, says Townsend. Students in such fields as engineering, computer science and accounting will find that the campus interview program is ideal, while others are encouraged to take advantage of a broader range of CSC services. Alumni also are encouraged to return and use the center's resources, which are particularly useful for recent graduates who are seeking entry-level positions.

Programs designed to match students and alumni with employers are wide-ranging.

Cosponsored by academic departments and colleges, these events expose students to employers in their fields. Fifteen job fairs are offered each year--for students in education, health and nursing, agriculture, consumer studies, law, engineering technology and other fields. There also are special events for liberal arts majors and for minority students. At Project Search '99, for example, more than 140 school districts conducted 2,500 interviews with 600 participating students.

Last year, the CSC sent out more than 34,000 resume´s to employers. Students can participate in the resume´ referral service simply by submitting a paper copy of their resume´. The resume´s are scanned and made available to prospective employers. During the 1998-99 academic year, more than 500 companies asked for resume´ searches.

Now offered online through Crimson Solutions, the Campus Interview Program assisted with 5,760 interviews during the 1998-99 academic year. More than 300 organizations participated, conducting interviews from October through mid-May. Students can submit resumes electronically and receive e-mail notification if they have been selected for interviews, which also are scheduled online.

Townsend says that, despite today's strong economy, many students must still work hard to be successful in the job search. "If you have technology skills, it is a really hot job market," he says. "If you're a liberal arts major major, it is no different than it was five years ago. You still have to do homework to identify employers who are hiring people with your skills."

The University's increasingly strong reputation among recruiters has benefited students and alumni as well. "We get calls all the time from employers who have never had a prior association with Delaware," Townsend explains. "They're indicating an interest in recruiting our students, and we're doing everything we can to help them do that."