Results of a 1983 survey on policy and practice in the employment of college graduates in 262 well-known business and industrial firms are presented. The number of companies hiring graduates in nine bachelors-level and five masters-level fields are specified for both 1983 and 1984, along with the number of graduates for each field and salary levels. Information is also provided on: whether the firm's college recruiting is geared to the current business cycle or to a long-range manpower plan; the effect of drastic recruiting curtailment on a long-range manpower plan; whether college recruiting is continued during a general economic slowdown; the percentage of hires in 1983-1984 that will come from campus recruiting; and sources that will be used to fill exempt position needs in 1983-1984. Ten types of advice that are provided by personnel staff to help freshmen undergraduates plan for the future are identified, along with myths and realities about the Master of Business Administration degree. Additional survey findings are covered: attitudes and experiences for or against the liberal arts graduate and the future utilization of these graduates; the recruitment of PhDs with humanities background or elementary and secondary school teachers; and considerations in evaluating a resume. (SW)