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US Army Corps of Engineers new techniques to attract graduates
Scott Nielsen
South Pacific Division
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is trying new techniques such as 'Speed-networking', on the spot tentative job offers, and Facebook to attract new college engineering graduates.
“We are trying to reach college graduates in new ways, to introduce them to the exciting and fulfilling work they could have with the Corps of Engineers. If the students know about us, many will choose us.” said Col Janice Dombi, U.S Army Corps of Engineers SPD Deputy Commander.
A new technique SPD tried was ‘Speed-Networking’.
‘Speed-networking’ operates on the premise of the speed dating model, and allows multiple recruiters and students to meet for 10 minutes and introduce themselves, their organizations, and to talk about what each other is looking for.
When the time is up, the recruiters switch and move to another table of students.
This ‘speed-networking’ was a part of a 3-day conference in Burlingame CA, hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineer’s Construction Institute and sponsored by several agencies including USACE to meet and discuss several aspects of Civil Engineering including career opportunities.
“These events help us to better understand what graduates are looking for so we can try and tailor what we can offer them,” said Marvin Oey, Director of ASCE Construction Institute.
This technique gave the students more of a chance to ask questions that they otherwise might not because they feel intimidated walking up to a booth and asking said Oey.
This ‘speed-networking’ format allowed the students to speak with representatives from each organization. Their questions ranged from the projects being worked on to vacation time.
The common questions the students asked were: where they'll be working; will they be able to do different things; and will they be in charge of their own projects.
"When we think we know what the students are interested in, we get surprised,” said Richard Gallegos, a recruiter for the Corps of Engineers. He said typically students are interested in both traveling and the ability to work on multiple projects.
The SPD is also testing the social networking site Facebook as part of its recruiting efforts.
Facebook allows the students to upload their photos from the conference and share them with their friends who were not there. The SPD hopes other friends will learn about USACE and jobs opportunities from the friend that attended the conference.
The SPD plans to use this tool to provide information about jobs and opportunities in a way that is more accessible to current students.
At the American Indian Science and Engineering Society National Conference in Anaheim CA this year, the Corps provided pictures and videos of the event on a Facebook site dedicated to AISES which the students could use to share their own photos and comments.
“This process will hopefully allow us to find a new way to let graduates know about the jobs we have available and also allow us to get feedback about what they are looking for,” said Richard Gallegos, recruiter for the Corps.
The Corps of Engineers is also testing out on-the-spot tentative job offers at recruiting fairs to better fill the positions it needs and to attract the graduates who are ready to work, and students interested in internships.
“We know what jobs we need filled right now and there are students who are ready to begin working now, so this is an effort to streamline the process of filling those positions,” said Col Dombi.
The USACE has a three tier approach to how they recruit at career fairs; have junior professionals meet with the students, have senior employees answer questions and to interview, and have someone with hiring authority to coordinate getting them started.
“There is a lot of competition for fresh new talent graduating now and we hope using innovative techniques will allows us to reach the students in a way that is better suited to them,” said Col Dombi. “Even if the students do not sign on with USACE immediately after college, we have exposed them and perhaps their network of friends to our mission and what we can offer.”