Grads Keep Look-Out For Best Companies

As graduation draws closer for seniors, the looming job search raises questions about what UC Berkeley students are looking for in companies and what they can expect in today's job market.

Pete Bucklin, professor emeritus at the Haas School of Business cited several standard qualities that job-seekers might look for in a potential employer, including compensation and benefits such as health plans and vacation time. He added that other factors, such as the quality of the management, can also play a role.

"A good company is one where there is good morale, a good feeling among people of the company that they're doing something of importance, and that they're well organized to reach the market with their products," Bucklin said.

Many students agreed with Bucklin, saying they seek similar qualities in an employer.

To freshman Nolan Koon, finding a job that not only makes you happy, but also pays well, is key.

"Money. Good location. Benefits besides money are also important, more so than money actually. Happiness-doing something that makes you happy and then, of course, money," Koon said.

Despite the downturn in the U.S. economy, Adam Berman, senior assistant dean and executive director of the Institute for Business Innovation at Haas, said UC Berkeley students seeking employment shouldn't worry about having to settle.

Workers with specialized knowledge still have the advantage as employers competeto attract the most talented workers, he said.

"I don't think the economic downturn necessarily has resulted in changes, but I think there is a shortage of talent out there, you know top notch talent, and I think companies need the top talent, so I think companies need to change to recruit the best workers," Berman said.

In addition to career counseling services and other such programs at UC Berkeley, some colleges on campus offer other career-building programs.

One such program run out of the Haas School of Business' Lester Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation gives selected students, faculty and alumni who have start-up businesses the chance to use Haas as a headquarter and draw upon the resources of the campus, said David Charron, an Entrepreneurship lecturer at Haas Business School who is in charge of the program.

UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law also helps students find jobs. Franchesca Gonzalez, a second-year student at Boalt, is currently undergoing on-campus interviews with law firms and other businesses.

"I'm looking for an employer who's respectful, who can provide me with guidance in terms of helping me figure out what my future goals are ... an employer who's going to give me a lot of responsibility and provide me with a lot of feedback," Gonzalez said. "Right now the market's really bad, so, to tell you the truth, I'm not really hopeful right now."

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