Knowing how to identify and research potential employers are critical skills if students are to take control of their career futures. Whether searching for an internship or a permanent position, students should not rely solely on what employers advertise as open, but instead on their ability to pursue opportunity actively. This requires that employer targets be identified, both for personal follow through and for potential networking.

When should employer research skills be developed?

Such skills can come into play as early as a first year if a student is focused on acquiring experience relevant to a career, or is determined to network for contacts to help with career decision-making. Upper class and graduate students should build these skills quickly as their transition from Syracuse may be more imminent.

Where is help available?

Several college-based career offices, as well as the Center for Career Services, maintain a number of print and online directories that can help with identifying and researching employers.  Links to on-campus recruiters are included in career fair and recruiting announcements on OrangeLink.  The recommended reading below presents some sites that are excellent for researching employers online.

As far as staff assistance, students should check with their college offices, and connect with Chuck Reutlinger, Associate Director for Information Resources and Services, at the Center for Career Services (235 Schine), who will be happy to assist students needing to research employers. Work stations are available for web-based research at the Center.
 

RECOMMENDED READING:

Internet Research Sites

• Business and Industry Databases, SU Libraries
• Researching Companies Online.  Very user-friendly and very thorough.  Start here!
• Researching Employers, from The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
• Company Research. Profiles, news items and more from Business Week magazine. Use the "search" capability with company names to uncover articles and more.
• Vault.com.  One of the best regarded sites for research on the Net.
• Hoover's Online. Company as well as industry profiles - highly recommended!
• WetFeet.Com.  Great for companies and industries alike.
• Corporate News on the Net, from Business Wire.

The Syracuse University Libraries maintain a number of print and database resources that may be crucial to employer identification and research.  Visit the web site for the SU Libraries and review the business and industry databases from the main database menu (linked above).  Some provide basic profiles of companies while others index articles or brokerage reports that capture employers' recent activities.  don't hesitate to use the main catalog or a reference librarian to learn about print directories for the industries in which you have an interest - there are many specialized resources that offer fabulous information on industries and employers of all kinds.