Report from a recent "Estates Gazette" forum which discussed attracting and retaining graduates. "How to get the cream of the crop" looks at problems of attracting graduates to the profession, and how it competes against other areas of graduate employment. Examines threats to the profession's autonomy, and methods to widen knowledge of the sector. Discusses the profession in relation to the university sector, and types of graduate who take up surveying. Considers the role of RICS in graduate recruitment. The second article "Keeping cool under the cloud" discusses the effects of company mergers on staff, and offers advice on how to approach the situation from an employees perspective. It also discusses the legal aspects of job transfers. Finally "Make the most of transferable skills" looks at transferable skills and people changing direction within the surveying profession. It is also accompanied by two examples of surveyors who have used their transferable skills to change direction within their career.