If you are a college graduate who is in need of work, you might want to consider heading back to the school from which you graduated. In fact, a growing number of alumni are returning to the career counseling centers of their former schools to get assistance with searching for a job.

In the past, career counseling centers have not been available to college graduates six to twelve months after graduation. Thanks to a huge influx of alumni requests for assistance, however, a growing number of colleges and universities are opening their career counseling doors once again. In fact, according to a New York Times article, career services offices have become a sort of hub for graduates who find themselves without a job or who are afraid they will soon become unemployed. The number of graduates returning to their schools for career assistance has become so great that some schools have actually hired new staff members to help focus exclusively on the career needs of students who have already graduated years ago.

The New York Times article reports that some of the services being provided to graduates by career counseling services are quite extensive, including editing resumes, administering personality tests, prepping for interviews and assisting with building professional networks. Many career counselors, however, report that they spend a good amount of their day simply offering encouragement to those who have become disenchanted about their career prospects.

Although some universities do charge alumni $25 to $50 for each career counseling session they receive, many are offering these services for free. By offering their services for free, these colleges are able to expand their networks further, as those alumni who do successfully find a job are more likely to contribute money to the cause or to help others find a job.

“Obviously, knowing that the university still cares about me after I’ve paid my final tuition bills makes me that much more willing to give down the road.” Said Brian Fessler, who graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 2006, in the New York Times article.

The New York Times article also reports that the career services office the State University of New York in Albany has experienced a 28% increase in its alumni sessions over the past year. Rutgers in New Jersey, on the other hand, has seen a 119% increase over the past two years. In response to the demand, the university also offers seminars and networking sessions for alumni. At one recent “speed networking” session hosted by the school, 300 chairs were set up in pairs so employed alumni could meet and speak with current students and unemployed alumni in three minute sessions. Other sessions have involved bringing in speakers to provide interested alumni with tips for identifying their skills and adapting to the job market in order to give themselves the greatest chance of landing a job.