PULLMAN, Wash. — The courting game begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in the halls of the
College of Engineering and Architecture at Washington State University. Until 4 p.m., more than 100
representatives from 71 companies seeking technical talent will be scoping out their potential workforce,
and more than 500 WSU students will be looking right back.
The fair atmosphere includes such teasers as puzzles, yo-yos, stress relievers, mechanical pencils,
edible treats and, last year, even alarm clocks. But the intent on the parts of both employers and students is
dead serious.
“For every qualified candidate there are multiple jobs just waiting to be filled in computing, engineering
and the technical and scientific fields,” said a recruiter from last year’s CEA career fair. While the demand
for computing and technical positions has exploded and companies struggle to fill them, the national trend
is that fewer college students are choosing engineering, computing and sciences, according to the
Commission on Professionals in Science and Engineering.
The good news is that the high demand has spiked starting salaries for engineers, chemists and
computer scientists to the high-$30,000/low-$40,000 range, says the CPST data. The recruiters say they
seek “intelligence in someone who loves technology, and people with quality resumes who want to solve
problems in teams.” Recruiters will be making appointments for interviews at the fair.
Some of the large companies attending are ARCO, The Boeing Company, Boise Cascade,
Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Tektronix and Weyerhaeuser. Other firms in
architecture, medical technology, software development, pulp and paper, construction, manufacturing,
transportation, public utilities, and government labs will show their wares. About 10 student organizations
will have booths as well. The College of Engineering and Architecture’s umbrella student group is
sponsoring the event.
For details, contact Ruby Latham, 509/335-5595, or check the web site at
nh164-98
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