Comments on: 20 Great Employers for New Grads

By: Aron; Chicago, IL

Aron; Chicago, IL — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:02:23 +0000

I’m a client service partner and have been with PwC for 21 years, so I guess I don’t qualify as a recent grad. However, I’ve worked previously for a major automobile manufacturer and major aerospace & defense firm. In my view, Pwc is the best place to work. The learning experience and opportunities are limited only by one’s own passion for client service and innovative problem solving. Work/life balance is attainable and I’ve helped new grads get there with an organized approach, adequate communication, and support from superiors. I’ve mentored a vast number of new grads and as you can imagine some are superstars, some are very capable, some are solid contributors, while others may need to better match their skills and interests elsewhere. Nonetheless, all get tremendous training, access to top client management, challenged by complex business issues, recognition for their acheivements, multiple career paths, a quality peer environment, and highly competitive compensation and benefits. Can a new grad focused in the accounting, finance, IT or operations areas do better somewhere else? Maybe, but I don’t think so. In fact, our turnover is less than 15% and our diversity is highly regarded. Indeed, we are very selective and hire the best; and getting an internship provides an inside track. Not all experiences will be as good as mine and some may be even better. It’s up to you.

By: moved on _ Philadelphia Northeast Region

moved on _ Philadelphia Northeast Region — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:26:26 +0000

I have to warn new grads, DO NOT WORK FOR RANDSTAD. Actually since this list was published they have experienced nationwide layoffs! Up in the NE we also rarely took vacation days, and NEVER took lunch, of course it was offered in their benefits by law employeed do need a break, but it was politely “frowned upon” to actually take a day off or eat away from your desk ever..With 5 people stuffed in a tiny branch (aka ROOM) with no cubicles or offices, you try sneaking away for some fresh air or a breather-good luck. Their bonus structure is a complete joke. Anyone who has worked for other firms in the industry would know this. They do not reimburse their employees sufficiently for what you are putting in on a daily basis. There is No room for advancement and due to turnover they have 20 something year olds running branches because anyone with a brain or any seniority is long gone-which in turn would probably explain the layoffs and over 50% turnover in the Philadelphia region. If you believe in negative reinforcement or micro management, this is the place for you! And dont expect to get paid for it either! A Complete Joke of a company, and a joke of a region in the northeast. Apply to another competitor and you can be sure you’ll be walking away with a lot less stress and a lot more money for your efforts!

By: John S., Chicago, IL

John S., Chicago, IL — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 23:54:24 +0000

Working in Sales at CDW definitely does NOT rate inclusion in any list of “best” places to work. Individual sales quotas are often set at double the average sales per rep, and the few who exceed those high targets are exemplified as what everyone should be doing (even the newbies). The pressure and lack of fun were unbearable. I’m so glad I left.

By: Bruce, Herndon, VA

Bruce, Herndon, VA — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 19:03:46 +0000

I, too, have had an awesome experience at Northrop. All companies in the defense industry have good and bad contracts. But the difference at NG is that employees are free to apply to positions confidentially if you truly see something you are interested in. And you don’t have to have manager approval to do so which is the great thing. I was very unhappy in my role and when I talked to my manager, he supported my decision to move into a different direction.

The group I work with here in Herndon, VA constantly asks its “younger” employees to provide input on projects. In fact, a couple of the guys down the hall from me just graduated 2 years ago and they were asked to create a marketing campaign for recruiting other new graduates to the company. Their presentation was so remarkable that the entire company adopted it. I feel that you can really find what you are looking for here, especially as a twenty something, without the cut throat atmosphere you get at other places.

By: Joey, Chicago, IL

Joey, Chicago, IL — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 01:26:21 +0000

Electronic Arts filed for Bankruptcy. Not such a good company to work for afterall.

By: Judy C, Memphis, TN

Judy C, Memphis, TN — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 19:51:23 +0000

I read all the reviews, and found them interesting. Copied one for friend who is new graduate looking for great job, and this one would be what he is looking for.
Personally, I would love to see you do something similar for those of us in our 60s, who both financially need to work, and also would like to be able to move into something more personally gratifying. That is, companies who consider us sixties as still productive and effective employees.
Thank you.

By: Al, Arizona

Al, Arizona — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 18:19:27 +0000

You would have to be out of your mind to work for Intel. I have been with Intel for more than five years and make LESS than the day I started even though I am “rated” a top employee. They make salaried folks work in excess of 70 hours each week often on call 24 hours a day. The culture is like the military and in recent days they have moved to allow LESS telecommuting. Intel is doing all they can to cut costs by not paying people well (3.25% raise/yr) and letting them go. Oh and by the way everything at Intel is lifeless and grey.

By: Teacher, VA

Teacher, VA — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 15:20:39 +0000

As the article states, Teach for America is not for the faint of heart. My 2-year experience teaching with TFA was the hardest thing I will ever do. That said, it was incredibly rewarding and eye-opening. Though I am not still teaching in my TFA placement school, I am still a public school teacher and a firm believer in the TFA mission. TFA is not a job for someone who wants to be a teacher. It is a job for recent college graduates with a social conscience who want to provide opportunities for deserving children that the rest of our county has forgotten.

By: Michael, LA, CA

Michael, LA, CA — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:50:25 +0000

I have worked for PwC for over three years after working for a Global 100 previously. I have found there to be pros and cons, as with any job.

I can immediately refute the claims by some that we are extremely over worked. Of course, during the busy season for each group we put in over 40 hours per week, and there are always some horror stories (80 hours/week for 2 weeks as an extreme). During busy season, I will average around 55 hrs/week and during the other 8 or 9 months this is down to 40-45 hrs/week. The pay is outstanding, in my three years I have had raises of 10%, 12%, and 19% with bonuses ranging from $3000-$10000.

After two years the vacation is pretty great too, I have taken a few long weekends this year and still have over 4 full weeks of vacation.

Benefits are good, not great (only 25% match of 401k for example) but the pay makes up for it.

As for the work itself… while at times I have not been challenged fully, if consider that as a 20-something I am regularly exposed to CIOs, CFOs, and other executives this is an outstanding opportunity. I have been able to travel the entire US and some international destinations (currently am travelling about 20% of the time). Typically the people who leave the company are able to because of the bredth of experience and training that PwC has provided.

By: Agent, TN

Agent, TN — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:42:48 +0000

Whoever is saying you don’t get any vacation time at Randstad (Internal Agent Position) is severely misinformed about their benefits. I am literally looking at my vacation hours right now on a website that provides complete control over benefits, pay, re-location and many more options. I have worker here since January and already I am able to take almost two weeks of Paid Time Off. Please get your facts straight. Yes, this is a fast paced and sometimes stressful job. But live in reality people what job isn’t?!

By: John, Boulder, CO

John, Boulder, CO — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:37:08 +0000

Always surprised oil/energy companies never make these lists. The pay is nearly that of wall street with 20-40 hours less per week. Other than defense, it is the only other industrial sector that is truely vibrant in the US. Although both are cyclical, energy has proven to be MUCH more stable than defense in the last twenty years. Only major drawback is usually the location…other than calagary and california, you are likely going to live in a less than desireable place.

By: Tom, Los Angeles, CA

Tom, Los Angeles, CA — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:26:22 +0000

Like “Vic” I work for NG on the F35 program. His comments are 100% on target. Every day I go to work were I am told by my management what a great job we are doing,that we are shining star of the program, how much the customer is impressed by our work, and all the uplifting ra ra that would be said by a chearleader. I read great emails from our senior executives how we are wining contract after contract and how well our finiancial performace is with repsect to past results. How do they reward me for all of the great work we do ? They give us a paltry 3.8% pay raise and a steep increase in benefit premiums. This doesn’t include the other cost living expenses that have to pay. One day I expect to be called to a meeting where some senior program VIP will spend a lot time telling us what a great bunch of people we are, what a great job we did, how our customer really thinks the world of us, and then we are not needed anymore so we should go back upstairs and clean out our desks.
My advice to new hires to come to this company, get some training, experience ,skills, and move on to another company that will give meaningful raises and just alot lip service.

Tom

By: W, St. Louis, MO

W, St. Louis, MO — Mon, 28 May 2007 09:00:36 +0000

So you mention Rockwell and Northrup. What about Boeing? Boeing offers all employees 100% tuition reimbursement as well as all the time off that Rockwell gives employees. Plus their benefits packages are hard to match, and starting salaries are competitive. For young engineers, rotation programs allow you to transfer among groups and see various areas of the company. And while some programs are heavy with the more experienced engineers, there are places within the company that contain a majority of 20 somethings. Plus you have the oppurtunity of working for Boeing in many cities and in either Aerospace/Defense or Commercial. If you are unhappy in your current job, I have found that most managers are willing to help that change…either by getting you the work on that project you want or by helping to place you elsewhere. Boeing is a great company to work for: they take care of their employees and actively seek new growth.

By: Cris, Mesa, AZ

Cris, Mesa, AZ — Mon, 28 May 2007 03:21:20 +0000

Wells Fargo & Google should be in the top 5.

By: Steve- Hopewell Jct. N.Y.

Steve- Hopewell Jct. N.Y. — Sun, 27 May 2007 23:33:05 +0000

With all of the great jobs and career opportunities out there today, I wish I was 20 something instead of 60 something.

By: Madison, WI

Madison, WI — Fri, 25 May 2007 21:43:08 +0000

PROGRESSIVE: I worked for Progressive for 2 1/2 years and I have to admit, they are a great stepping stone if you can stand the stress long enough. It is very true that they are constantly hiring fresh graduates because people are constantly quitting. We always joked about the “mass exodus” that each office seemed to have every 6-10 months when a number of employees got fed up and quit. When I quit, I had the second longest tenure of all the regular employees, and our office had about 20 at the time. 12 hour days are common and do not expect a lunch or break (those are taken on the road). The company does offer a fast track to the top if you’re motivated, but people with families need not apply. Most of the higher ups were either single, or they seemed to put more of an emphasis on work than family. I remember seeing emails and “diaries” from a regional boss that were written at 1am on a Tuesday night only a week or two after she gave birth! A co-worker of mine was asked to do an inspection on her way home to pick up her sick infant! This just gives you an understanding of the mindset there. A friend of mine, and also an ex-Progressive employee, had a great quote. He said “why work investment banker hours when you’re not getting paid investment banker money?” Live by those words if you are a Progressive employee, or are thinking about working there. Like I said earlier, it’s a great place to get your foot in the door until you realize that you could be getting paid the same, or more, somewhere else while actually having a 40 hour work week. And don’t listen to all the corporate sponsored “we’re great” blogs from Mayfield Village, OH. That’s the companies HQ and some of those blogs are from the exact same higher ups I was referring to earlier. They would rather defend Progressive than see their family so feel free to believe who you want.
Thanks for reading!

By: glad to have left Randstad, Columbia, SC

glad to have left Randstad, Columbia, SC — Fri, 25 May 2007 17:23:05 +0000

I worked for Randstad for 3 1/2 years. This is a good company for a college grad who is looking to move into a better paying sales or recruiting role in a year or two. Even though this is a good first step for a recent grad, I am surprised it made the top 20. Unfortunatly, too many decisions are left to local district level managers who are frequently absent from the local office causing them to make misguided decisions. There is also not a lot of room for growth unless you move geographically. Starting salaries and raises do not seem to align properly with experience and goals achieved. Eventually time put into the company outweighs what an employee gets back. Bonuses are based on group totals and there is no room for individual rewards. This provides a team environment but if an individual is exceeding goals, that person does not reap the rewards he or she would see in other sales roles at other companies. Randstad is essentially a sales company and compensation / bonuses to not stack up when weighed versus others. Based on the article stating that Gen Y is seeking opportunities with flexibility, free food, game consoles etc….Randstad would not be on the list at all. There is NO room for flexibility as this is a very regimented company that does not allow room for any ‘outside of the box’ thinking. As I stated, this is a good company for college grads to start with as it offers good classroom training and experience that affords opportunities for growth at OTHER companies. Benefits are ok as well. Turnover is high. I worked with one individual who was with the company 8 years, but in my 3 1/2 years I saw nearly 20 agents come and go in 2 small branches. Lastly, once a grad leaves Randstad to grow their career further, it is quickly obvious that this company is not all that it is cracked up to be.

By: nameless, Vancouver Canada

nameless, Vancouver Canada — Thu, 24 May 2007 17:53:00 +0000

EA is a great place to work – they really do treat their people well most of the time. However, where the company comes up short is in management and executive leadership. The majority of managers at EA have little to no business training at all, many are former engineers or artists. The execs at EA is inexperienced to lead the now large company. Larry Probst’s recent move is a sign of things to come. Don Mattrick’s departure was the beginning of what has recently been a dark period at EA. The company blames the sagging stock price on next-gen transition, but their execs and managers are the real problem behind the company’s woes. Unlike many game companies, EA is reactive, rather than proactive when it comes to innovation. Working at EA is great to start, but after a few years of extra hours and repeated problems in development cycles, you start to get wary and realize that some managers don’t know what they’re doing.

By: keeping it real, mayfield, ohio

keeping it real, mayfield, ohio — Wed, 23 May 2007 16:37:56 +0000

Progressive: I did not join PGR out of school, worked at 6 various employers in mult industries before joining. I’ve seen it all, and PGR is a unique company, Any company this large will have some people who hated it. The company rewards top performers, if your not getting a good raise – then take the hint. The company encourages people to move around to various departments to gain experience, it has very good career paths, a large training budget, it promotes from within, great offices(there are fitness centers at every major campus, if your in a field claims office with 40 employees then you won’t have this perk – although you could post for positions in one of the main campuses if its that important to you), it does fast track high performers, encourages creative thinking, and welcomes those who challenge conventional wisdom. The person who said PGR was not a growing company needs to understand this company better, volatility at PGR rest with the claims organization who has to ramp up claims capacity based on projects volumes, if for some reason we get less claims than anticipated and they view it as a sustainable trend – they will look hard at the claims staffing levels. Overall PGR is one of the top innovators in this industry, I’ve witness the grass is greener attitudes that some have — I’ve seen many try to rejoin the company after a stint somewhere else, if their performance was marginal they are not always welcomed back

By: Michele, Chantillly VA

Michele, Chantillly VA — Wed, 23 May 2007 15:37:57 +0000

I work for Northrop Grumman. It was my first “Real” job out of college and I’ve been her for seven years now. It is an amazing company with great benefits. With over 120,000 employees in all 50 states and over 25 International offices, you can work anywhere and do just about anything. I HIGHLY recommend working here! Graduates, this is the place for you!