College might be the greatest four (or five) years of your life, but at some point the future beckons. Entering the work force can be daunting and advice from career experts can help ease the transition. The Princeton Review's survey of 120,000 college students for the Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition revealed the top ten schools offering students some of the most outstanding career/job placement services around.

Students at UT-Austin are often "career-goal oriented" and quick to take advantage of "the [myriad] of advisers and career assistance centers" along with the "[many] internship and study abroad opportunit[ies]." Additionally the university has "close relationships with local companies" and a number of undergrads opt to stay around Austin to kick-start their career.

Students who considered University of Texas at Austin also looked at Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Trinity University, and Baylor University.

Notre Dame has "great academic program[s]" and students utilize the university's superior career center to parlay classroom success into career success. Students say the university's advising program is second to none, helping students establish a game plan beginning in freshman year. From résumé tools to mock interviews, ND students are ready to hit the ground running when they cross the dais at graduation. Alumni are also a fantastic resource; as one student shares, "The Notre Dame network connection is outstanding for juniors/seniors. ND graduates will go out of their way to help another Domer."

Students who consider University of Notre Dame also look at Georgetown University, Boston College, Duke University, and Northwestern University.

Penn State students continually applaud the university's "great post-college career connections." Undergrads have access to one of the largest on-campus recruiting programs in the country, with opportunities to interview for a variety of industries. Another benefit of a Penn State education: "the social networking." With an alumni association of over 159,000 members and growing, opportunities for success through networking are "well in your favor" at Penn State.

Students who considered Pennsylvania State University-University Park also looked at Carnegie Mellon University, University of Maryland-College Park, Lehigh University, and University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

"Clemson University sets high academic standards which are evident by the success of its graduates," exclaims one student. Of course, some of that success can be credited to the Michelin Career Center. From résumé workshops and job banks, to helping students map career paths for specific majors, Clemson undergrads are given all the assistance they need to meet their professional aspirations.

Students who considered Clemson also looked at University of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, Wake Forest University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

According to one undergrad surveyed at this women's college, "Sweet Briar College is all about preparing young women for successful futures." Another adds, "SBC is one big sorority and its alumnae are always willing to help us find jobs, internships, or even put us up if we're traveling through their area. This is a very close-knit community. The Career Services center is also amazing, if you don't graduate with a job it is because you're going to grad school. The people there are well-informed and extremely patient and helpful."

Students who considered Sweet Briar College also looked at the College of William and Mary, Agnes Scott College, Hollins University, and University of Virginia.

A Rose-Hulman education is not for those looking to party their way through school. As one student shares: "The courses are very difficult and require a lot of work." The reward for this hard work is opportunity, especially for those looking to stay in the Midwest. One senior observes, "There are 31 seniors in my major looking for jobs, and there were over 40 companies on campus looking for seniors in my major at the career fair."

Students who considered Rose-Hulman also looked at Case Western Reserve University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Southwestern offers students impressive programs and facilities. As one undergrad attests, "We have great lectures, a well-stocked library, a strong international studies office, informed career services people, internships, research opportunities, teach-ins about grad school, med school, etc." And while students may grumble a little about the hours they log in the library, they assure us that "graduate schools and employers know that Southwestern produces good graduates, so the hard work is well worth it."

Students who considered Southwestern University also looked at Rice University, Rhodes College, Trinity University, and Tulane University.

"Fantastic academics" that demand "insane amounts of studying and work" have always been the signature feature of a Smith education, but students say life after Smith is just as noteworthy. Besides having a library full of information for just about any career you could imagine, Smith College's Career Development Office also has a number of recruiting services to help seniors right out of the gate. The office provides both current students and graduates with individual career counseling and graduate or professional school planning, and works diligently to keep its students flush with internships and summer-enrichment opportunities.

Students who considered Smith College also looked at Brown University, Mount Holyoke College, and Wellesley College.

At Bryant University, "every class, including the liberal arts classes...will involve business in one way or another." Fortunately, the Career Services Office at Bryant is able to help these future executives get on a career fast-track. The school boasts that 98 percent of its May 2006 graduates were employed or enrolled in a graduate program within six months of commencement. And it's not surprising why. Numerous job fairs and workshops help students hone cover-letter writing, interviewing, and compensation-negotiation skills, and have placed interns in companies as diverse as Ernst and Young, CBS News, MTV, and Target.

Students who considered Bryant University also looked at Bentley College, Providence College, University of Connecticut, and Quinnipiac University.

Students appreciate Cornell's "really good alumni network" and "helpful Career Services" office. Whether it's planning career fairs or hosting seminars on graduate school preparation, Cornell's Career Services keeps itself busy year-round. Their offices boast an extensive library dedicated to career-related materials and dozens of specialists in career advisement, from advertising and banking to health careers and fine arts. Perhaps most important, Cornell leverages strong alumni connections, with many undergrads finding positions through former students.

Students who considered Cornell University also looked at University of Pennsylvania, Columbia University, University of California-Berkeley, and Johns Hopkins University.