Internet searches help seniors looking for jobs

The Internet boom in the 1990s brought unprecedented access to the job market at the touch of a keyboard. Sites such as monster.com and hotjobs.com are helpful for students looking for internships or jobs.\n"These sites have taken some of the stress of searching for jobs off my shoulders," said senior Brandon Bennett.\nBut as we approach 2004, computer users should not be so dependent on the Internet to find a job, said Patrick Donahue, director of the Career Development Center and of the Arts and Sciences Placement Office.\n"I was reading the other day that only 10 percent of jobs are found through online job listings," he said. "With that being true, students should only devote 10 percent of their time to the Internet." \nDonahue said the Career Development Center, 625 N. Jordan Ave., has an extensive library full of guides to help students find pertinent information on companies for internships and jobs. \n"These guides have all the information a student could want," Donahue said. "After going through them, then maybe a student can go to the company's Web site to find out what person to directly contact."\nDonahue said students should not spend much time on online job sites. He compared them to huge newspaper ads. \n"The Internet cannot be the only resource students use," he said. "It should be one of many."\nMarcia Debnam agrees. Her position as the career services director for the School of Journalism brings her in contact with many students needing internships that are so vital in today's job market. She recently has been updating the School of Journalism's Career Resource Web page to make the search easier.\n"The Internet is a successful tool if people know how to use it," she said. "But people need to go one step farther. For example, use google.com to find more about the person or the company to help you in an interview."\nDebnam said instead of relying on the Internet, students should network with professionals in their field of interest. She said building these contacts could lead to relationships that result in references and passing resumes along to the proper people.\nBoth Debnam and Donahue agree that the Internet is a fine tool for students to use. It brings up important information quickly and efficiently. But they also agree never to be content with relying on it solely. \n"People respond to people," Debnam said.