Providing Career Services with a personal touch.

"Career Services in the Boston Chapter started with Gorham Brigham," says Paolo Castelli, the chapter's current Career Services and Career Planning leader. "All of our lives have been touched by him, so our program is one of personal touch and personal connection."

As a principal with Agere Enterprise Management, Castelli helps private equity firms restructure companies having difficulties, so he knows the value of hands-on management with the personal touch.

The Boston Chapter, FEI's largest chapter, currently has more than 900 members, of which 88 are unemployed (tracking the national unemployment rate of close to 10 percent). Anyone can register for free career services, whether or not they are a member of FEI, notes Castelli. Boston's Career Services Committee is comprised of 24 members, with six of them very active. Here is just a sampling of the committee's current activities:

* Monthly Meetings. There is a Career Services meeting on the second Tuesday of every month between September and June. Speakers have included CEOs, career counselors, recruiters, search consultants and even sales professionals, to help develop cold-calling skills.

* Resume Reviews. Two CFO members of the Career Services Committee provide free resume reviews, offering practical guidance to members seeking that important interview for a new position.

* Career Center. The Boston Chapter maintains its own online database of resumes (of both members...