The recession has hurt the economy, but that has not stopped the university’s business students from finding jobs and internships, junior accounting major Dylan Standish said.

Despite the recession, last year 83 percent of graduate business students found jobs within three months of graduation, Jessica Cates, associate director of the Alcon Career Center wrote in an email.

Most business students begin looking for jobs in September because many companies come onto campus looking to hire students for full-time jobs, Cates wrote. Standish said he has started looking for internships and summer jobs but is not yet looking for a post-graduation job.

“I need to be working hard to find internships for next summer because opportunities go so quick,” Standish said.

The Alcon Career Center is one of the tools the Neeley School of Business has to help students begin their job search, Standish said.

The center advises business students starting in the second semester of their freshman years, Cates wrote.

“The center pushes students to begin their job search early because the process can take a long time,” she  wrote.

Standish has visited the Career Center for a mock interview and to get help with his resume.

“We have a dedicated staff that works with students on interviewing skills, networking skills, communication development, presentation coaching, how to work in teams, salary and offer negotiation skills, etc.,” Cates wrote.

The center also helps students understand what qualities business leaders are looking for in applicants Standish said.

Confidence is one of the qualities business leaders look for in applicants especially in the interview process, he said

“[Business leaders] like to look at their thought process,” Standish said.

It is also important to be a leader because businesses like to see applicants who are involved and are leaders in their field, Standish said.

Potential employers also consider an applicant’s grade point average, he said.

“This makes it important to keep your grades up,” Standish said.

Most accounting firms look for applicants with a 3.5 G.P.A. or higher, Standish said.

Networking is also an important part of the job search process, and one of the best ways to network is to attend career fairs, Standish said.

Cates said the next career fair will be held Feb. 15, and business students are encouraged to attend.