Observers point out that many students want a first job where they previously interned or otherwise know someone with inside information. With that in mind, PCL decided to reduce its reliance on campus cold-calling, while increasing its use of interns to 25 to 30 per year. PCL also works hard to entice them with significant work on submittals, shop drawings and change orders. We're saying, 'It doesn't matter. With a staff of 640, PCL now tries to hire 60 to 80 new grads each year.
Recruiters watch and wait for years for some students.
Ferretti scouts at industry contests, like the one that Associated Schools of Construction and Associated General Contractors of America held in Reno, Nev., in January. One student, first noticed by Swinerton at the 1999 competition, plans to work for the company after graduating this spring. But not everyone feels so pressured. Each year, the office receives 100 resumes, plus books of resumes from design departments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, California Polytechnic State University and elsewhere. And when sifting through resumes, Carolyn F. Friel, HOK's human resources vice president, looks for internship experience, all but ignoring grade-point averages.