Employers are committed to in-person college recruiting this fall, according to a report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

A poll by the association found that firms plan to spend 68% of their time on in-person recruiting and 32% on virtual recruiting. The question was answered by 179 companies.

It also found four out of five employers said they are not preparing to pivot their plans in response to a surge in either Covid or monkeypox this fall.

“This is evidence of the high value employers place on high-touch college recruiting and the competition in the current job market to bring top interns and new college hires into their organizations,” said Shawn VanDerziel, NACE executive director. “Employers are determined to make personal connections and grow their relationships with both the college students they recruit and the schools these students attend.”

A number of firms also plan to start recruiting earlier. The poll found one-third of companies will start recruiting earlier and end later than they have in the past. In addition, although 42% indicated they will end their recruiting cycle at the same time as in previous years, a sizable portion, 37%, will further expand their college recruiting cycle by ending it later than they have in previous years.

“Expanding their recruiting cycle requires these employers to commit significant staff time and budget for these extended efforts,” VanDerziel said.