ABSTRACT
Public universities, especially those with a regional reach, have an opportunity to separate themselves from their competitors by building strong links to potential employers. Potential employers interact with applicants through their expectations, students by offering advice as well as opportunities for hands-on education, and graduates at the recruiting and hiring stage. Many applicants-students-graduates seek admission to graduate schools, which have roles that are similar to the roles of potential employers because they identify what students must learn to secure admission. In developing a recruiting mechanism, an essential parameter is decentralizing the design and operation of the system, so it effectively meets the needs of potential employers and students. Considering potential employers as customers is a fundamental step to improve higher education, and it requires universities to focus on their role as a mediator of the relationship between students and employers.
