Firm hires 24 Clarkson alumni

POTSDAM — After four years of studying together, 24 recent graduates from Clarkson University are working together.

A submarine design and manufacturing company with several large contracts with the Navy routinely hires Clarkson graduates, but this year's number is a record, according to Kathryn B. Johnson, vice president for university outreach and student affairs.

"It's certainly a record for that particular company, and it's unusual, especially in this economy, to have one employer that's hiring that many out of one school," she said.

She could not say whether the hires have created a record among all of the university's big recruiters since the economic downturn began.

"I would say it's very significant in these competitive economic times," she said.

The company, General Dynamics Electric Boat, has approximately 125 Clarkson alumni working among its force of about 4,000, according to a university news release. All but three of the most recent hires were engineering majors; the others studied global supply chain management.

General Dynamics usually comes to Clarkson's fall career fair, held every September. Company officials then come back to conduct preliminary interviews before inviting potential employees to the Groton, Conn., office.

"The acceptance rate is very, very high; we were the number one school two years in a row with General Dynamics," Ms. Johnson said. "That's what is really significant, when you think of all the quality universities at which General Dynamics recruits."

Though there are no forecasts of how many students may be hired this year by General Dynamics — or any other company — more than 100 potential employers were recruiting at this fall's career fair, and hiring is predicted to go up this spring.

Those results are expected to filter up to north country colleges, including Clarkson.

"We believe we have the right degrees for the right students at the right time," Ms. Johnson said. "National projections are up and we're tracking right along with that. You have to work hard; it's not going to be easy, but this should be a good year for Clarkson."