Recruiters representing almost 200 employers will be talking to Missouri University of Science and Technology students during the campus’s annual fall career fair Sept. 29.

The number of companies participating has dropped since last year, but Missouri S&T students are still in demand.

“Instead of getting four job offers, now they may only be getting one or two,” says Lea-Ann Morton, director of Missouri S&T’s Career Opportunities Center.

Morton encourages students not to limit themselves geographically. She says they increase their chances of landing a really good job if they are willing to relocate throughout the country and world.

Despite the tough economy, jobs in science, engineering and technology continue to pay well. Among all Midwestern universities, Missouri S&T ranks near the top when it comes to starting salaries for graduates. The average starting salary for an S&T grad is $57,300.

And there are signs that the overall economic outlook is improving. Morton says Anheuser-Busch InBev will be recruiting at the fair and conducting on-campus interviews this fall for the first time in more than a year.

Several employers, including ConocoPhillips and Lockheed Martin, will be presenting workshops on what recruiters are looking for during the fair.

According to Missouri S&T Chancellor John F. Carney III, Missouri S&T prepares its students to play crucial roles in addressing many of the nation’s business and technological challenges.

The career fair will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 29, in the Gale Bullman Multi-Purpose Building. The fair is open to S&T students from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., only students and alumni may visit with recruiters. Faculty and staff are allowed to attend the fair from 8-10:30 a.m. and from 3-5 p.m.