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BusinessWeek: Best places to launch a career
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BusinessWeek recently released its “Best Places to Launch a Career” in 2008 list. If you’re currently seeking an internship or entry-level position, this list serves as a good starting point. However, please note that some of the organizations in the financial and mortgage industries have since either gone bankrupt or been bought by another organization.
In interviews with several of the organizations on BusinessWeek’s list, current employees cited reasons to launch your career with them:
Elissa Clapp in Recruitment: Teach For America corps members have the potential to significantly impact the students they teach, and Teach For America provides the resources to support them in doing so. Furthermore, over time, we have found that corps members are able to apply the skills and insight they’ve gained in the classroom to become leaders and advocates for change in education.
Caroline Bulmer in Intern Recruitment: At Microsoft, employees have lots of options. Nowhere else do employees have such a variety of products and technologies to get behind - or so many career paths from which to choose. Microsoft employees also have the opportunity to learn from people who have been in the industry for years. And most of all, they have the resources to reach people all over the world with their work. We believe it’s about empowering employees to take their career as far as they want it to go - in any direction they choose.
Kyle Thompson in Communications: We have an energy and pace that you won’t find at other companies. We work quickly and efficiently to bring the Target brand to life for our guests and team members. Team members are given accountability, decision-making and financial responsibilities early in their careers. We also have excellent training and developmental opportunities and offer more training than any other company of our size.
Frank Brown in Corporate Communications: One benefit to joining Norfolk Southern versus another company is that railroading in modern times is a true growth industry. We provide a safe, fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative for moving the freight that moves the nation’s economy. Being part of that is rewarding, personally and professionally. Our programs focus on balancing the academic and railroad sides of the equation. Being a co-op or intern at NS is challenging. It’s real work, it’s hard work and when you’re done you’ll be able to say that you really accomplished something.
Odesa Stapleton in Talent Management: An entry-level employee at Verizon will find some of the best training and skills development programs available, in addition to mentoring and real-world experience. That’s a tough balancing act for an employer ,but when it’s done right, both the employer and the employee benefit greatly. The individual realizes an opportunity to grow and learn, quickly increasing their value in the company and in the job market, while the employer gains a valued contributor who can take on greater responsibility within the organization.
Kristi Breen in College and International Programs: A great deal of the success that the Theme Parks and Resorts area experiences is a direct result of the outstanding quality of our entry-level Cast Members. It is in this position that a Cast Member learns the important cultures and traditions that distinguish the Disney Company from others. Many of our leaders began their career in an entry-level position and will often state the tremendous impact that their entry-level position had in their overall success.
Dawn Carter in University Programs: At Amazon, every employee is focused on the customer, and business and technology professionals work together to develop innovative solutions to challenging business objectives. Entry-level employees have the opportunity to learn a lot and apply it quickly, and we believe all employees' contributions are extremely important to the growth of the business. It's a continually evolving place where motivated employees thrive and where employee ownership and accountability lead to results.
Meredyth Naramore in Corporate Relations: Financial representatives beginning their career with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network have the benefit of strong mentoring and leadership development programs to provide support and guidance. For example, the Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Fastrack Academy is a six-day premier training program of interactive, team-based learning and self-discovery. Each year, more than 150 newer financial representatives with high potential are selected to participate. The Fastrack Academy provides Network financial representatives from around the country with an interactive forum designed to inspire higher production and professional growth.
Dina Tilgner in Intern Recruiting: Union Pacific offers interns real-world experience, responsibilities and accountability. Our program provides meaningful work to interns. Union Pacific recruits interns and entry-level employees at colleges and universities from more than 20 states.
Carlos Figeroa in University Relations: Travelers offers a Leadership Development Program (LDP) in actuarial, financial management, human resources, information technology and insurance operations. The goal of each program is to prepare participants for management positions. Participants take part in multiple rotations, which expose them to all elements of their business, course work that provides the technical training required to lead a unit and coaching from peer and senior management mentors. Many LDP program participants have gone on to hold crucial leadership positions with the company.
Jeff Beavers in Global University Relations: Our Leadership Development Programs provide emerging leaders with the opportunity to experience many key areas within their specific business function and to quickly develop and apply skills to prepare them for increasingly challenging roles throughout our Fortune 150 company. Because most programs have a global component, there is also a unique opportunity to gain global exposure and experience that complements the classroom and experiential learning and the career coaching provided to all members.
Laura Iwanycky in Recruiting: With so many different career paths available to an entry-level employee, making decisions about where to go next can be daunting. That’s why we offer our online CareerQuest site, which allows all of our employees - new hires and veterans alike - the chance to map out their career paths at Progressive. Additionally, we offer training programs for entry-level people to learn more about the rest of the company and provide mentors in certain business areas.
Keyla Cabret in University Relations: Aflac has been highlighted for our workforce diversity, attention to working mothers, and credibility and respect towards our workforce. Often, when graduates take an entry-level position, they may feel that the skills they are gaining will not be relevant in the future endeavors or won’t be useful in building experience. They should use all opportunities to expand their knowledge and skill-set.
Jason Buss in Talent Recruitment: From day one, we offer entry-level employees access to a variety of best-in-class training and development opportunities that help them to grow professionally and personally. Departments across the company also offer mentoring programs to further encourage professional growth and development within their staff-groups. Most importantly, we really listen to our employees. Whether they’re executive or entry-level, all employees set annual goals and meet one-on-one with their leaders on a regular basis.
Diane Lewis in Human Resources: As an intern, you have the opportunity to understand our company and culture and to determine whether a career at L’Oréal is the right fit for you. As an entry-level employee, you are part of a program geared toward developing you for a long-term career at L’Oréal. We have a very long-term career oriented recruitment and development policy at L’Oréal, which sets us apart from many other companies.
Paul Cholette in External Affairs: BCBSA has a mature work force. In the next three to four years, almost half of our employees would be eligible for early retirement. This is a great opportunity for entry-level folks to learn from some of the top minds in the health care industry and have the potential for advancement in their careers. With the current state of the job market, we offer a sense of stability and security within the health care industry.
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