The software firm's CEO and Founder JoeLiemandt spoke at the conference dinner Wednesdaynight, and on yesterday, Trilogy took interestedstudents to lunch at John Harvard's Brew House.

Liemandt was among several heavy hitters whoattended: D. Ronald Daniel, a Director of McKinseyand a member of the Harvard Corporation, spoke atlast night's dinner. Other companies sent theirfounders and CEOs.

Sakoda says he enticed the 12 sponsors with anoffer of eager recruits.

"We said this is a great chance for you toreach out to Harvard students going intobusiness," he says.

Recruiters agreed.

"It's clearly to establish an earlyconnection," Daniel says.

But while companies were wooing students, manyweren't at the conference for a job.

"The main thing was the chance to see what sortof opportunities there are in various parts ofbusiness," says Jesse L. Margolis '99. "I'm notcoming here to get a job from these people."

Kadar A. Lewis '99 says he attended more to geta taste of business than to charm recruiters.

"It's almost a mini-business schoolexperience," he says.

Classroom or Recruiting Fair?

The Office of Career Services (OCS)--whichcoordinates Harvard's official recruitingprogram--had no involvement at all in theconference, according to Assistant Director EmilyHelm.

"Our programs are for the entire student body,"Helm says. "What we are concerned with is that wepresent opportunities for all students."

HSA solicited applications last spring. Of the160 applicants, roughly 100 were accepted, Sakodasays, but exact figures were not available atpress time because students were entering at thelast minute.

Companies recruiting officially at Harvardcannot hold information sessions or receiveresumes before a date set by OCS. Helm says theserules ensure each student has a fair shot at jobopportunities.