University Recruiting The prosperous recruiting As it turns out, this seduction of college students by recruiters at investment banks and consulting firms is more campus legend than reality— the exception and certainly not the rule. Sterling Witzke, a senior at Stanford University who signed on with Mercer Management Consulting in Chicago, says she got a glimpse of life in the fast lane, but notes, 'Most of my friends who went through the process did not get this type of treatment.' Indeed, the courtship is not as salacious as urban legend would have us believe While prospective recruits may not be destined for a hot club or even a low-down strip club, America's leading investment banks and consulting firms are, in fact, recruiting more aggressively on college campuses than ever before. Despite a sputtering overall economy that has reduced college recruiting by old-line giants like IBM or GM, I-banks and large consultant firms boosted their recruiting efforts on key campuses by about 15% last year-- a trend that is expected to continue, according to Trudy Steinfeld, Executive Director at New York University's Office of Career Services. 'Banking and consulting are leading the way in this very robust recruiting season,' says Steinfeld. As other seniors embark on a desperate job search and pile up the rejection letters, those with their eyes on the investment banking/consultant world are bombarded by fervent entreaties and hosted at a series of events ranging from information sessions to expensive dinners. And most important of all, there are jobs waiting-- with the promise of that pot of gold -- at the end of their rainbow. 'A lot of the employers are becoming more proactive and determined,' says Barbara Hewitt, associate director of career services for undergraduates at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 'Because their economy and job market are so good now, they're finding it very hard to get all of the students what they want. There is just a lot more competition on the employers' side at this point, and they are feeling more pressure to step up their campus recruiting. Recruiting work in the university The field can be a perfect match for students not yet certain of their ultimate career destination or those who have an urgent need to pay off college loans before pursuing the next degree. These firms thrive on 'human capital' and therefore put a premium on attracting bright, ambitious young people, explains one Wharton alum. With their offices buzzing past 2 a. m., there is significant turnover. Thus they value freshly minted college grads who want to out-compete their peers and who can churn out high-quality work on precious little sleep. 'There were nights when I slept under my desk, using my jacket as a blanket and my keyboard as a pillow,' says one recent Brandeis graduate who asked that his name be withheld because his company discourages employees from talking to the press. Yet despite the hard work and many sleepless nights, entry-level positions at big I-banks and consultants are the most sought-after jobs for graduating seniors interested in finance and consulting. The entry-level jobs are unusually lucrative, with first-year analysts making up to $120 000. Moreover, these positions provide invaluable training for those pursuing careers in the field. 'Most people leave after the first two years because they get burned out,' explains the Brandeis grad, who works at a top investment bank, 'but the skills you learn are essential to getting the most coveted(令人垂涎的) jobs in finance going forward, I-banking is a stepping stone to a great business school, and most importantly, to a great job.' The recruiting process still begins in earnest in the fall of senior year, when a group of associates arrives on campus to interview and select applicants. In an effort to signal the students that they are not