Communications of the ACM
Employers Favor State Schools For Hires
Credit: Penn State University
A Wall Street Journal study found that U.S. companies largely favor graduates of large state universities over Ivy League and other elite liberal-arts schools when hiring to fill entry-level jobs. In the study—which surveyed nearly 500 of the largest public and private companies, nonprofits and government agencies—Pennsylvania State University, Texas A&M University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked as top picks for graduates best prepared and most able to succeed. Of the top 25 schools as rated by these employers, 19 were public, one was Ivy League and the rest were private. By focusing solely on the needs of recruiters and hiring organizations, the Wall Street Journal study downplays traditional measures—such as student test scores, college admission rates or graduates' starting salaries—as a way to rank and measure undergraduate institutions.
Recruiter perceptions matter all the more given that employers today are visiting fewer schools, partly due to the weak economy. Instead of casting a wide net, big employers are focusing more intently on nearby or strategically located research institutions with whom they can forge deeper partnerships with faculty. The research highlighted a split in perception about state and private schools.
Recruiters who named an Ivy League or elite liberal-arts school as a top pick say they prize their graduates' intellect and cachet among clients, as well as "soft skills" like critical thinking and communication. But many companies said they need people with practical skills to serve as operations managers, product developers, business analysts and engineers. For those employees—the bulk of their work force—they turn to state institutions or other private schools offering that.
View a video of Careers Editor Jennifer Merritt discussing The Wall Street Journal's survey which reveals recruiters' focus on state universities.
From The Wall Street Journal
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