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A total of 202 companies responded to a survey of policy and practice in the employment of university and college graduates in business and industry. Among results of the survey were that 54 percent of the respondents indicated that business outlook was better than 1977 and that they planned to contact the same number of colleges as last year. The reporting companies expected to hire 14 percent more college graduates at the bachelor's level in 1978 than were employed from 1977 classes, and 9 percent more at the master's level. Almost all starting salaries will increase from 3 to 7 percent. When colleges were chosen for recruiting the most important factor was reported to be the strength of the offering in the fields of special interest to the companies. Forty-five percent of the companies indicated that it would be helpful to earn an MBA degree in order to achieve a management position. Experience in the company was ranked more important than an MBA by 55 percent of the companies. When employers were asked to offer suggestions for improvements in colleges and universities they most frequently listed more practical and work-related courses, more attention to communication skills, more adequate counseling and career planning services, better understanding of the job market by students, and closer relationships with business and industry. (PHR)

Results of a 1984 survey on policy and practice in the employment of college graduates in 250 well-known business and industrial firms are presented. The number of companies hiring graduates in nine bachelors-level and five masters-level fields are specified for both 1984 and 1985, along with the number of graduates for each field and salary levels. Information is also provided on: respondents' views concerning the importance of 18 factors often considered by companies when selecting an institution for interviews; an assessment of the current year's business and recruiting activity and the outlook for 1985; the percentage of campus interviews that resulted in second interviews and the percentage of offers resulting in acceptance by field; the fields for which hiring goals are difficult to meet; and the effectiveness of services that placement offices provide to their graduates. Fields for which hiring goals were most difficult to meet were electrical engineering (33 percent), and computer science (26 percent). About two-thirds of the companies indicated more career counseling should be made available to college students and that such counseling should become a function of placement offices, while more than 70 percent felt that colleges should offer a course in career planning and job search techniques. (SW)

Results of a 1983 survey on policy and practice in the employment of college graduates in 262 well-known business and industrial firms are presented. The number of companies hiring graduates in nine bachelors-level and five masters-level fields are specified for both 1983 and 1984, along with the number of graduates for each field and salary levels. Information is also provided on: whether the firm's college recruiting is geared to the current business cycle or to a long-range manpower plan; the effect of drastic recruiting curtailment on a long-range manpower plan; whether college recruiting is continued during a general economic slowdown; the percentage of hires in 1983-1984 that will come from campus recruiting; and sources that will be used to fill exempt position needs in 1983-1984. Ten types of advice that are provided by personnel staff to help freshmen undergraduates plan for the future are identified, along with myths and realities about the Master of Business Administration degree. Additional survey findings are covered: attitudes and experiences for or against the liberal arts graduate and the future utilization of these graduates; the recruitment of PhDs with humanities background or elementary and secondary school teachers; and considerations in evaluating a resume. (SW)