To find talent, you must create, invest in and nurture it; you must be willing to assume the risk that the talent you grow and nurture may sometimes benefit others, even your competitors. Still, companies that take a broader view of talent acquisition benefit in the long run. It is a law of nature: The more you give, the more you receive. The idea that the primary function of hiring managers is simply one of matchmaking--that is, finding the right person for the right job--is antiquated. Instead, forward-looking companies understand that talent acquisition also entails participating in the development of talent, particularly for entry-level positions.

Such companies play an active role in defining, creating, shaping and nurturing talent. Progressive companies understand that paying close attention to how talent is developed and grown is itself a rewarding experience, one that mutually benefits both institutions of higher learning and corporate America. This is particularly true for entry-level positions.

Across companies and industries, there is a frequent cry about the shortage of entry-level technical talent. Hiring managers and other executives often complain that today's graduates fail to meet the expectations of hiring managers. Graduates of today appear to be unprepared to become fully functional the first day on the job, and their critical thinking and problem-solving skills are often subject to criticism. Finding a graduate with technical knowledge, business acumen and a sense of professionalism appears to be a huge challenge. Yet it need not be this way. A small investment of time and resources on the part of CIOs and hiring managers can result in significant rewards on the talent acquisition front for managers.

Here are 10 simple ways to nurture, develop and recruit entry-level technical talent:

1. Get to know the colleges and universities in your area. Although this may sound like a simple idea, many hiring managers do not have a strong relationship with their local institutions of higher learning. It is worthwhile to review these institutions' program offerings and take time to understand the skill sets of graduates from their programs. In particular, pay attention to programs that have an interdisciplinary focus. For example, some programs may emphasize computer science with a business minor or a combination of information systems and liberal studies.