Vacationing students hit the pavement while hitting the beach

From Correspondent Robert Vito

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- Sure, college students are resourceful -- they have to be to cram five research papers into the last month of every semester. But who would have thought that college students would willingly combine business with pleasure when they go on spring break?

It's a real possibility, at least for college students who migrate to Daytona Beach for spring vacation this year. In this shoeless, shirtless atmosphere, the music pounds non-stop nearly 24 hours a day. And right on the boardwalk, major corporations are doing some beachcombing of their own, as recruiters look for talented future employees.

Michael Dickerson is recruiting students for IBM. "Most of what we're looking for is computer science, engineering, some sales and marketing," he told one interested student.

Students appreciate the opportunity. "You come down here and have a lot of fun and everything," said Jeff Neltner, a college freshman. "But a lot is on your mind. You want to plan for the future also."

So quite a few college students, like Neltner, took a break from the fun and sun to step into the sights and sounds of another world. "I don't think you're ever too young to start looking for a job," Neltner said. "You want to forge ahead and always keep an open mind for any possibilities."

On a sunny afternoon, luring students into a recruitment presentation to talk about mere jobs can be a tough sell. Some recruiters have tried handing out soap, CD-ROMs and free passes to nightclubs or wet T-shirt contests to drum up interest.

But for Helen Possas, a third-year computer science major, a simple brochure about job opportunities prompted her to combine some business with pleasure. "Is there anything you can give me with more detailed information?" she asked one potential employer.

Students don't even have to dress to impress for these impromptu interviews. Recruiters encourage them to come from the beach as they are to talk jobs. So, what it's come down to is this: Spring break, the annual festival of bodies and beer, is where the jobs are.

Related sites:

• Spring break in Florida
• Spring Break '97

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