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Ryan Paugh graduated from Penn State in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism and a minor in Business. After working in corporate communications, freelance writing and reporting, he co-founded 
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It’s hunting season for the Class of 2007 – job-hunting season. If you’ve already been recruited this spring, relax. Have a beer on us and enjoy your last few moments of freedom. If not, check out Fortune’s “20 Great Employers for New Grads.”
Fortune was smart enough to realize we’re a little more particular when it comes to finding a career. We’re not just looking for a paycheck. We want to join a “deep-pocketed company, where we can work for a hip boss in an office that has free food, flexible hours and video game consoles.” I can’t vouch for the rest of my generation, but I don’t think this is exactly what we’re after. But at least they’re trying, right?
One thing I really liked about the list is the value it puts on mentoring. Whether or not it’s something we all want in an entry-level, it’s certainly something we need. You will notice that most, if not all of the companies mentioned, offer some sort of mentor program for new workers.
Fortune also makes an effort to cover multiple industries. From education nonprofit Teach for America to defense contractor, from traditional Big Four firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers to small health-care consultant Stockamp & Associates, this list doesn’t exclude.
My question is – did they get it right? Do these companies really offer the kind of perks millennials are after? To determine the “Top 20,” employers were asked about salary, training programs, promotion opportunities, mentoring, competitiveness, vacation time, work-life balance, diversity and other matters deemed significant to our generation. I know they’re missing something…
Employee Evolution wants to take this opportunity to find out exactly what YOU want as an entry-level. Check out Fortune’s “Top 20,” then share some feedback with us. If anything, it will give out HR readers a chance to hear what we’re really thinking.
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I was interested to read the “How we chose the 20″ section, but it really didn’t say much.
Overall, I think their list is noble in its attempts, but a little superficial. Don’t get me wrong, all of the massive starting salaries, benefits packages and time off is extremely appealing, but what about the real substance of the companies?
Only one description mentioned giving their new hires a non-entry-level responsibility. It also happened to be the only one I was remotely interested in. Millennials are hungry for creative challenges and and the chance to make a real difference. I’m not convinced this was factored into the criteria.
Well, apparently Google has fallen off because they definitely missed that as a great work place for millenials.
In fact it should be in the top 5. The other thing was that the list seems like a list of lesser evils. It’s a top 20 of the Fortune 500 for the most part and not really a true top 20.
I guess that’s forbes’ scope though. Either way, they didn’t truly hit on a place that has the things I would prefer as a millennial. High Market Cap to Employee ratio, flexibility, and more than just pushing spreadsheets is all I ask. Is that too much?
The list is decent, but definitely not all-encompassing. The things that I look for most is a semblance of work-life balance and an ability to have challenging work activity that varies day-to-day. An environment that doesn’t just stick you in a cube with the same tasks every day is much more important than many of the things Fotune mentions.
I agree that work-life balance was probably the biggest deciding factor for me, as well. I feel that many companies will offer you a comfortable working environment and relaxed work schedule, and then you start and are stuck in a cube farm with the option of working either 8-5 or maybe 8:30-5:30 - your choice.
There are going to be let downs in every hiring situation, but by taking the time to observe the atmosphere and culture when you are visiting offices you can minimize the risk of getting stuck in a disappointing first job situation.
The challenges and varying types of project work really make the days go by quickly, and if you truely believe in the service or product your company offers you will have a fairly stress free life even with looming deadlines and rollout dates.
My first year with the company I started with one month after college is almost over, and it’s flown by. I too hope to have my own company in another 2-3 years, but I think the professional experience you gain working in a growing business is so valuable and shouldn’t be passed up by anyone unless you have enough money to start over a few times on your own.