TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama College of Engineering will host an "industry roundtable" on July 19 and July 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Hardaway Hall to bring companies together to discuss current trends in recruitment and issues facing industries in today's economy.

Some 700 companies from across the Southeast have been invited, and those planning to attend include Shell, Southern Co., ACIPCO, U.S. Steel, and Brownlee-Morrow. The companies will be represented by human resources and engineering representatives that will meet with UA faculty. Participants may pick either date to attend; sessions will be the same on both dates.

This is the first time the UA College of Engineering has held this type of event. Discussions will include recruiting trends, skills needed in new employees, deficits found in new hires, and the economic outlook for the next few years. It is hoped that the outcome of the discussions will provide the College's career services staff with valuable insights into the job market.

For more information, contact Angelia Knight, director of Engineering Career Services, at 205/348-6382 or e-mail at aknight@coe.eng.ua.edu.