Panelists gathered in the Engineering Building at Southern Illinois University Carbondale Thursday to discuss how to find employment in a tight economy.

The forum, "Employment Prospects in a Tight Economy: A Look Towards 2010," was organized by SIU Innovative Systems and gathered five experts to advise students on getting a job after college.

The panel consisted of John Waclawsky, software and technology consultant for Motorola Inc.; James DeBelina, consultant to Motorola's Corporate Software Development; Cynthia Jenkins, interim director for Career Services at SIUC; entrepreneur Brent Ritzel and Andrew Fickert, chief technology officer for Common Grounds Technologies.

Waclawsky said students should find out what their passionate about and work on it immediately.

"With a tough job market, you shouldn't wait until you graduate," Waclawsky said.

He said employers will look for someone who can bring passion to their company. Jenkins said it is important for students to get experience through internships and also gain experience through avenues such as registered student organizations and volunteering.

Ritzel said a lot of hiring will come through networking. He said he had lived in Colorado for several years and came back to Carbondale because it is where he has a network.

"A résumé alone will never, ever, ever land you a job," Ritzel said.

codell.rodriguez@thesouthern.com

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