Universum Top 100

THE MOST ATTRACTIVEEMPLOYERS IN THE U.S.

MEET THIS YEAR´S IDEAL EMPLOYERS AS SELECTED BY 65,000 STUDENTS IN

THE 2012 UNIVERSUM STUDENT SURVEY

PRESENTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEW YORK TIMES

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We foundthe missinglink.The classroom beyond the classroom.The Drexel Co-op is more than an internship. It’s real-world professional experience that’s a direct link between the classroom and the workplace, transforming our students into entrepreneurial professionals with an edge over the competition. They’re in the lead before they’re even out of the gate.

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100

FROM THE UNIVERSUM TEAM

W e are proud to present this year’s Universum Top 100. This year marks the second year we are publishing the results of our Ideal

Employer Student Survey in Universum Top 100 in the U.S.

The results of our survey provide a real, straightfor-ward answer to the important question that most students and recent graduates are asking: Who are the most attractive employers in the U.S.? In addition to asking who, we should be asking why – why are these companies the top employers in the U.S. and what makes them stand apart from all of the rest?

In order to answer these questions, we have gone straight to the sources and talked to the experts – the people who actually work and spend time with these companies every day. Some of an organization’s most

valuable information comes through candid stories from its employees.

The testimonials in this publication include stories from employees of all ages, industries, and career stages – everyone from recent graduates completing training programs to seasoned professionals serving as presidents of their companies. Each of the 20 employees featured in this magazine has a different perspective to offer, new insights and advice to share, and a unique story to tell.

We hope you enjoy reading about the experiences of these employees. We thank them for sharing their stories with us. •

– The Universum Team

QUOTE_HEADING_QUOTE_HEADING_QUOTE

FROM THE UNIVERSUM TEAM 3

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGS BUSINESS 4

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGS ENGINEERING 4

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGS IT 5

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGS NATURAL SCIENCE 5

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGS MBA 6

UNIVERSUM´S SURVEY METHODOLOGY IN THE U.S. 6

FAST FACTS – 2012 STUDENT SURVEY 7

THE DECLARATION OF CAREER INDEPENDENCE 8

EMPLOYER BRANDING BECOMES "GLOCAL" AND SOCIAL 9

THE NEW WORKPLACE WISH LIST 10

CAREER TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS 13

MBA FAST FACTS 13

DELOITTE 15

KPMG 17

BP 18

GENERAL ELECTRIC 19

HALLIBURTON 21

SHELL OIL COMPANY 21

SIEMENS 22

MOTOROLA MOBILITY 23

ERICSSON 23

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY 24

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 25

MARS 27

AIG 28

ALCOA 29

BASF 30

SCA 30

HENNES & MAURITZ 31

PANASONIC 32

UNILEVER 33

UNIVERSUM TEAM CEO Petter NylanderPresident Americas Melissa Murray Bailey Head of Production/Production Manager Sanna BurmanEditor/Project Manager Katharine LynnArt Director/Layout Helena Hagberg

kortney kutsop, katharine lynn, camille kelly, heather wickenheiser, kristina matthews, chris campellone, vicki lynn, jonas barck.

Cover Photo Christian GustavssonContributor Lindsay J. Westley, [email protected] Editor Mike Liechty (www.toallagoodwrite.com)

Sales Liza Dzul, [email protected] Camille Kelly, [email protected] Kutsop, [email protected] Vicki Lynn, [email protected]

University Relations Christopher Campellone, [email protected]

Marketing Jonas Barck, [email protected] Kristina Matthews, [email protected]

Sales Coordinators James Barraclough, [email protected] Heather Wickenheiser, [email protected]

Universum Communications Inc.129 W. 29th Street, 5th floorNew York, NY 10001

Phone: 917.793.0337Fax: 215.546.9921

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKING

UNIVERSUM TOP 100 RANKINGSUNIVERSUM PROUDLY PRESENTS the U.S. Ideal Employer Rankings of 2012. The list is based on nearly 60,000 undergraduate respondents and nearly 6,000 MBA respondents. We have broken down the data based on main field of study in order to

make the rankings as relevant as possible to students and potential employers. The result is four Top 100 rankings from undergraduate respondents: Business, Engineering, IT, and Natural Sciences. We have also included a list of rankings from our MBA respondents.

We are honored to partner with The New York Times and share these rankings with you.

1. Google

2. Apple

3. Walt Disney Company

4. Ernst & Young

5. Deloitte Page 15

6. J.P. Morgan

7. Nike

8. PwC

9. Goldman Sachs

10. KPMG LLP Page 17

11. The Coca-Cola Co.

12. Facebook

13. FBI

14. Microsoft

15. Morgan Stanley

16. Amazon

17. Starbucks

18. Bank of America Merrill Lynch

19. Procter & Gamble

20. BMW

21. LVMH: Louis Vuitton, Dior, Sephora

22. Marriott

23. U.S. Department of the Treasury

24. U.S. Department of State

25. Hilton Hotels Corporation

26. Central Intelligence Agency

27. Johnson & Johnson

28. Target

29. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

30. Coach

31. Wells Fargo & Company

32. Macy's Inc.

33. Sony

34. L'Oréal

35. adidas

36. Southwest Airlines

37. The Boston Consulting Group

38. Boeing

39. American Cancer Society

40. Under Armour, Inc.

41. Peace Corps

42. McKinsey & Company

43. PepsiCo

44. Grant Thornton LLP

45. IBM

46. IKEA

47. Teach for America

48. Citi

49. Barclays Capital

50. General Electric

Business

51. Time Warner

52. Anheuser-Busch InBev

53. The World Bank Group

54. Bloomberg L.P.

55. Delta Airlines

56. Electronic Arts

57. NASA

58. Exxon Mobil Corporation

59. Internal Revenue Service

60. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

61. Deutsche Bank

62. TBS

63. Bain & Company

64. American Express

65. National Security Agency (NSA)

66. Gap Inc.

67. Fidelity Investments

68. American Airlines

69. Lockheed Martin Corporation

70. Mayo Clinic

71. Credit Suisse

72. National Institutes of Health

73. HSBC

74. AT&T

75. General Mills

76. Walmart

77. Heineken

78. U.S. Department of Energy

79. Accenture

80. Yahoo!

81. The Blackstone Group

82. United Airlines

83. Visa Inc.

84. Ford Motor Company

85. Kraft Foods

86. Nestlé USA

87. Best Buy

88. UBS

89. Volkswagen

90. Shell Oil Company

91. Dick's Sporting Goods

92. 3M

93. Kohl's

94. Groupon

95. The PNC Financial Services Group

96. ConocoPhillips

97. Verizon

98. Pfizer

99. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs

100. General Motors

1. NASA

2. Boeing


4. Google

5. General Electric Page 19

6. Apple




10. BMW

11. Microsoft

12. Intel


14. IBM

15. U.S. Air Force


17. Shell Oil Company Page 21

18. Northrop Grumman

19. General Motors


21. DOW Chemical



24. BP Page 18

25. D.O.D.

26. FBI

27. Caterpillar Inc.

28. DuPont

29. Siemens Page 22

30. Nike

31. Sony

32. Chevron Corporation

33. Raytheon Company

34. U.S. Navy

35. 3M

36. Genentech

37. Honeywell


39. Texas Instruments

40. ConocoPhillips

41. U.S. Army

42. John Deere

43. Rolls-Royce North America

44. Mayo Clinic

45. Pfizer

46. Peace Corps

47. Centers for Disease Control

48. Turner Construction


50. Honda Companies

Engineering

51. Schlumberger

52. Volkswagen

53. Halliburton Page 21


55. Merck & Co.

56. Facebook

57. Valero Energy

58. Marathon Oil

59. Electronic Arts

60. Bose


62. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.

63. Daimler/Mercedes-Benz

64. U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

65. Delta Airlines

66. General Mills

67. Amazon

68. Nissan

69. Biogen Idec

70. Dell

71. Accenture

72. NASCAR


74. Chrysler

75. Kraft Foods

76. Waste Management


78. HP

79. Goldman Sachs

80. Life Technologies

81. United Technologies Corporation (UTC)

82. Deloitte

83. Autodesk

84. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

85. L'Oréal

86. BAE Systems

87. J.P. Morgan

88. Ecolab

89. adidas


91. Cisco Systems

92. IKEA

93. Kimberly Clark

94. Oxy (Occidental Petroleum)

95. Nestlé USA

96. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals


98. United Airlines


100. Bayer



1. Google

2. Microsoft

3. Apple

4. Facebook

5. IBM

6. Amazon

7. Intel

8. Electronic Arts


10. Sony

11. FBI

12. National Security Agency (NSA) page 24

13. NASA

14. Cisco Systems



17. HP

18. Dell

19. Oracle

20. D.O.D.

21. Boeing


23. Northrop Grumman

24. Yahoo!

25. Zynga

26. eBay

27. AT&T

28. Deloitte

29. Verizon


31. U.S. Air Force


33. J.P. Morgan

34. U.S. Navy

35. Nike


37. BMW

38. Goldman Sachs


40. Accenture

41. Lenovo

42. PwC

43. Best Buy


45. Bose

46. Siemens

47. United Technologies Corporation (UTC)

48. Ernst & Young



IT

51. BAE Systems

52. Raytheon Company

53. Autodesk


55. Booz Allen Hamilton

56. KPMG LLP

57. Motorola page 23

58. PepsiCo


60. U.S. Army


62. Time Warner

63. Bloomberg L.P.

64. Morgan Stanley


66. Hasbro

67. John Deere


69. Peace Corps

70. Target

71. Nokia

72. VMWare

73. The PNC Financial Services Group

74. Starbucks

75. 3M



78. Delta Airlines

79. Rolls-Royce North America

80. T-mobile

81. Groupon

82. General Motors

83. adidas

84. Walmart


86. Volkswagen

87. SAP


89. EMC Corporation



92. Merck & Co.

93. Honda Companies



96. Qualcomm


98. United Airlines

99. Salesforce.com


1. National Institutes of Health page 25

2. Mayo Clinic


4. American Cancer Society


6. Peace Corps


8. Google

9. NASA

10. Apple

11. FBI

12. Nike

13. Maxim Healthcare

14. United Nations




18. Pfizer


20. U.S. Air Force


22. U.S. Navy

23. Ecolab

24. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation

25. U.S. Army

26. Genentech

27. Microsoft

28. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals

29. Starbucks

30. Bayer

31. Facebook

32. CVS Caremark


34. adidas

35. DOW Chemical


37. Target

38. Amazon

39. Merck & Co.

40. Biogen Idec

41. Kraft Foods


43. Under Armour, Inc.


45. GlaxoSmithKline

46. Coach

47. L'Oréal

48. Life Technologies

49. REI

50. Macy's Inc.

Natural Science

51. Nestlé USA

52. General Mills

53. D.O.D.

54. J.P. Morgan

55. AstraZeneca

56. Boeing


58. Siemens


60. ConAgra Foods

61. Lilly

62. United Airlines

63. Sony


65. Amgen




69. McGraw-Hill Companies

70. Delta Airlines

71. Kohl's

72. IBM

73. Abbott

74. American Airlines

75. Monsanto

76. MetLife


78. IKEA


80. Waste Management

81. Humana

82. Walmart

83. Cargill

84. John Deere

85. Best Buy

86. DuPont

87. Electronic Arts

88. Marriott


90. PepsiCo

91. Bristol-Myers Squibb

92. Goldman Sachs

93. BP

94. Intel

95. Toys 'R' Us, Inc.

96. Yahoo!

97. Aetna



100. Heineken

ranking results were presented at employer branding conference 2012



1. Google


3. Apple

4. Bain & Company


6. Amazon

7. Goldman Sachs

8. Facebook

9. Nike

10. J.P. Morgan

11. Deloitte


13. IDEO

14. The Blackstone Group



17. Microsoft


19. Morgan Stanley

20. Starbucks


22. IBM

23. BMW


25. American Express

26. Nestlé USA

27. PepsiCo

28. Intel

29. PwC


31. Unilever page 33

32. Accenture


34. Credit Suisse

35. Ernst & Young


37. 3M

38. Target

39. Barclays Capital


41. Starwood Hotels & Resorts

42. L'Oréal

43. Citi

44. Booz & Company


46. Kraft Foods

47. Deutsche Bank

48. Boeing

49. Sony

50. General Mills

MBA

51. Booz Allen Hamilton

52. Diageo

53. Chevron Corporation

54. Salesforce.com


56. Siemens

57. Fidelity Investments


59. FBI

60. KPMG LLP

61. eBay

62. Gap Inc.

63. Genentech

64. A.T. Kearney

65. Marriott

66. Mayo Clinic


68. Cisco Systems

69. MillerCoors



72. Mattel

73. UBS

74. Cargill

75. Time Warner

76. Medtronic

77. Harrah's Entertainment


79. The Vanguard Group

80. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.

81. BP

82. Groupon

83. Walmart

84. United Airlines

85. Zynga

86. Pfizer

87. Bloomberg L.P.

88. HSBC

89. HP

90. Mars Incorporated page 27

91. Monitor Group


93. AT&T

94. Daimler/Mercedes-Benz

95. Yahoo!

96. Dell

97. Abbott

98. Colgate-Palmolive Company


100. Oracle

UNIVERSUM’S SURVEY METHODOLOGY IN THE U.S.

Universum’s survey questionnaire is comprised of closed-ended questions with an extensive list of alternatives, ‘Other’ options, and a few open-ended questions that provide qualita-tive data. Our list of 250+ employers for students to chose between based on their area

of study has been developed through a combination of Universum’s knowledge of each market, evaluations of the previous year’s list, extensive market analysis complemented by information derived from discussions with employers, educational institutions, and student “write-ins.” The list of target schools from which we actively gather responses is developed through dialog with Universum’s corporate partners and responses from our annual Employer Feedback Survey about how employers recruit.

When it comes to actually collecting the data, approximately 95 percent of respondents complete our survey online. Additional paper surveys are collected at some key campuses. The survey link has been distributed mainly via university contacts (career centers and the educational institu-tions), the Universum Panel of students, and different local partners. The 2012 survey responses were gathered between December 2011 and March 2012.

Our IDEAL Employer rankings are compiled by asking students to choose the five employers they would most like to work for. The rankings are then ordered based upon how many times an employer was selected as one of five IDEAL Employers.

google at universum awards 2012


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

UNIVERSUM’S SURVEY METHODOLOGY IN THE U.S.

FAST FACTS 2012 STUDENT SURVEY

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THEIR EXPECTED ANNUAL SALARY, FEMALE RESPONDENTS EXPECT TO RECEIVE AN AVERAGE OF $48,236.70, WHEREAS MALE RESPONDENTS EXPECT TO BE PAID $55,292.80. ENGINEERING STUDENTS HAVE THE HIGHEST SALARY EXPECTATIONS, AT AN AVERAGE OF $59,816.

This year, 59,643 UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS from 320 UNIVERSITIES were surveyed. This year’s survey respon-dents have an AVERAGE GPA OF 3.5 and are primarily women: 66 PERCENT FEMALE versus 34 PERCENT MALE. The average age of respondents is 21.1 YEARS OLD.

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THEIR CAREER GOALS, BOTH MALES AND FEMALES

LISTED HAVING A WORK/LIFE BALANCE AS

THEIR TOP CAREER GOAL: 66% OF FEMALES AND

57% OF MALES RATED IT AS THEIR HIGHEST PRIORITY. THE SECOND MOST IMPORTANT CAREER GOAL FOR MALES

AND FEMALES IS HAVING JOB SECURITY AND STABILITY.

THE BREAKDOWN

STUDENTS IN ALL FIELDS (BUSINESS, IT, ENGINEERING, LIBERAL ARTS, AND

NATURAL SCIENCES) RATED SECURE EMPLOYMENT AS THE

MOST ATTRACTIVE JOB ATTRIBUTE, FOLLOWED BY PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT.

JOB SECURITY

STILL A TOP PRIORITY

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THEIR

PREFERRED EMPLOYER ATTRIBUTES, THE LARGEST GAP BETWEEN GENDERS WAS IN STUDENTS WHO PRIORITIZE HIGH ETHICAL STANDARDS

IN AN EMPLOYER:

48% OF FEMALE STUDENTS

VERSUS

32% OF MALE STUDENTS

INTERESTINGLY, the least selected career goal by males was being autonomous or independent: only 11% OF MALES listed it as a top priority. For women, the lowest selected career goal was being a technical or functional expert, with only 7% OF FEMALES selecting it.

UNIVERSUM FIRST LAUNCHED ITS

STUDENT SURVEY IN THE U.S. IN 1999,

SURVEYING 3,166 STUDENTS.

THIS YEAR, THE SURVEY HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE

59,643 RESPONDENTS FROM 320 UNIVERSITIES

AROUND THE COUNTRY.

13 YEARS LATER


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

THE DECLARATION OF CAREER INDEPENDENCE: WHY STEM STUDENTS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE

W e hold these truths to be self-evident, that all undergraduate degrees are not created equal, that students are endowed by their university

with certain credentials, that among these, none gua-rantees the pursuit of a challenging and fruitful career.

Chances are that if you are a recent graduate under 25, you’re one of the 53.6 percent who are jobless or un-deremployed according to an analysis of government data conducted for The Associated Press. For many, the promises of gainful employment after graduating have not materialized or, instead of a salaried job in a comfortable office environment, many recent grads are working in a job that doesn’t require a degree.

However, it’s not all bad news. Students who chose to major in STEM fields (majors relating to science, technology, engineering and math) are seemingly

immune to the pitfalls affecting their peers. According to the same study from The Associated Press, students with specialized degrees, including computer science and engineering, were among the most likely to find a job after graduation.

“Employers of all industries seek out STEM students because of their technical and analytical abilities,” said Deborah Liverman, direc-tor of career services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “At MIT, we teach our students how to solve problems in and outside of the classroom and students take this knowledge with them into their future careers.”

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce looked into U.S. Census Bureau data to determine the employment rates of 173 college majors. Not a single STEM-related major had unemployment of more than 10 percent, while some liberal arts degrees, such as psychology, were pushing 20 percent unemployment.

For many of the current unemployed, the job prospects don’t look much better. Today, there are 3.6 unemployed people for every vacant job in the United States, accor-ding to a study conducted by Change the Equation, an organization that promotes STEM majors. Compare

that to fields in science, technology and engineering, which actually have two unfilled jobs for every one un-employed STEM graduate. “The University of Michigan College of Engineering has seen record recruiter numbers at our career fair that took place on September 24 and 25, 2012 with over 300 companies attending,” said Kerri Boivin, director of the

engineering career resource center at The University of Michigan. “This is a great indicator that employment options are good for…engineering students.”

At the Massachusetts STEM Sum-mit last year, Raytheon Chairman & CEO William Swanson, said, "Too many students and adults are trai-

ning for jobs in which labor surpluses exist and demand is low, while high-demand jobs, particularly those in STEM fields, go unfilled."

Only three of the thirty occupations with the largest projected number of job openings by 2020 will require a bachelor's degree or higher. It will be up to the students to choose specialized fields that will give them a leg up in an already flooded market.

So, for recent graduates in the pursuit of independence from student loans, unemployment lines, and Mom and Dad’s basement, it’s the graduate with a background in STEM who holds the advantage in today’s economy. •

by christopher campellone

“THERE ARE TWO UNFILLED

STEM JOBS FOR EVERY ONE

UNEMPLOYED STEM GRADUATE.”

In this economy, everyone needs an edge. New Jersey Institute of Technology is the place to find it.

The Academic EdgeGraduate study at NJIT pays off:

• Bloomberg Businessweek’ssurvey puts NJIT in the top10 percent nationally for return on investment over30 years.

• PayScale.com placed theuniversity fourth amongstate universities for newgraduates’ starting and mid-career earnings.

The Technology EdgeNJIT has a program to suityour goals and schedule:

• 59 master’s in technological specialties from cyber security to pharmaceutical engineering.

• Certificate programs in cutting edge applicationslike CloudMaster and CloudGuru, iPhone, iPad and Android app development,and Drupal.

The Entrepreneurial EdgeNJIT’s Enterprise DevelopmentCenter (EDC) is home to 90high-tech and life-science companies. The universityprovides the latest technical information, and access tospecialized equipment, facultyexperts and students. EDCfirms partner directly with NJIT researchers.

NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYUNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, NEWARK, NJ 07102-1982973.596.3300

www.njit.edu


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

“OUR OWN STUDENT SURVEY TELLS

US THAT YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY ARE

MORE MOBILE AND MORE INTERESTED

IN INTERNATIONAL CAREERS.”

A strong employer brand is no longer just something that a company should prioritize – it’s a must for survival. When greater resour-

ces are invested in employer branding, expectations for measurable results skyrocket. Universum’s annual rankings from all around the world clearly show which employers have succeeded in the competition for talent and which ones are still striving to reach the top. The companies at the top of the list all have one thing in common: the passion, desire and ability to attract talent.

Today, due to the high speed at which information travels to a well-educated target group, companies are expected to be more transparent. It’s not possible to create a brand simply based on how you as an emplo-yer want to be perceived. The brand needs to be real and firmly established throughout the organization: current employees need to believe in its authenticity, because even a few negative comments from within the organization can quickly spread and destroy years of persistent brand-building. Employer branding always starts from within and is as much about retai-ning as attracting talent. Proud and satisfied emplo-yees who share their true stories from the inside are crucial factors in successful employer branding work.

Our own student survey tells us that young people today are more mobile and more interested in inter-national careers. The future challenge for international companies will be to create a “glocal” brand, a brand that is consistent over national borders but flexible enough to adapt to the target groups and cultural preferences in each country.

Regardless of the image you want to project as an employer, stories from your employees, like those in this publication, are an excellent way to capture the interest of talented people. For more than 20 years, Universum has provided employers and potential employees around the globe an opportunity to get to know each other. This year is no exception. For the se-cond year in a row, we are proud to present Universum Top 100 – The Most Attractive Employers in the U.S. I hope that these stories will continue to inspire and match the right talent with the right employers! •

Petter Nylander

CEO, UNIVERSUM

photo: jezzica sunmo

EMPLOYER BRANDING BECOMES “GLOCAL” AND SOCIAL


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

T here’s no better judge of a company’s cultural relevance than Universum’s Ideal Employer Stu-dent Survey. This year, more than 65,000 students

weighed in to name their top five ideal employers, choosing from a list of more than 250 companies. Google once again took top rankings in three catego-ries – this year it was business, IT, and engineering – proving that its über-cool reputation and widespread influence continues to attract the attention of the country’s best and brightest students.

While the Universum student survey is a figura-tive finger on the pulse of corporate America, it also provides valuable feedback on top workplace priorities for this generation. Some things remain constant across the generations – job security and the promise of a bright future is enough to allure and retain top talent of any age – but this year’s crop of graduates made it clear that there are a few other items on their checklists, too.

WORK IS MORE FUN THAN FUN?British playwright Noel Coward once said that “the only way to enjoy life is to work. Work is much more fun than fun.”

Work is more fun than fun? Maybe not in the sense that it’s an endless party with all of your best friends, but the trends that surfaced via the Universum student survey and through conversations with top recruiters suggest that students believe that work can be more fun than fun – when companies truly invest

in new hires and provide an innovative, supportive work environment.

Google obviously understands the influence of environment on productivity. It’s become the bastion of workplace cool, where employees zip around the California headquarters on bikes, fueled by (free) food featuring local ingredients from top-quality chefs. According to a recent TIME slideshow, industrial slides connect two levels of a lounge in the recently renovated Google New York offices, and if you’d like your office to feel more home-like, try taking a call from one of its “apartment-the-med” conference rooms, complete with a bathtub-shaped couch. Google may have led the charge for cool workplace environments, but according to Talent Acquisition Manager David Gaspin, of TheLadders, more and more companies are following suit.

“People are starting to expect hip surroundings as a matter of fact,” he said. “You’re even seeing large

THE NEW WORKPLACE WISHLIST

companies branching into different divisions to create their own startup environments. By knocking down walls and getting away from the big-corporation iden-tity, they’re hoping to mimic the innovative, team-driven culture of a startup.”

GASPIN CITES AOL AND GE AS EXAMPLES of companies seeking to emulate the startup environment, among others, but infers that a lounge full of hip chairs in retro colors isn’t the only requirement for being con-

sidered a good place to work.

“Creating snack rooms and adding ‘Big Buck Hunter’ to the breakroom – that’s a relatively mi-nor investment for a company to make,” he said. “What’s harder is for the company to live up to what it’s promised – it has to actually be a cool place to work.”

Defining “cool” for students and recent graduates means a few different things. Top priorities include a clear opportunity for future growth, the opportunity to do real, meaningful work and the freedom to work where and when they like. Companies like Procter & Gamble have responded with programs like the Flex@

“IT’S GREAT TO BE THE BEST EMPLOYER IN THE WORLD — BUT WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO BE IS THE BEST EMPLOYER FOR THE SPECIFIC KINDS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE APPLYING.”

by lindsay j. westley


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

“WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY AFTER IS THE ABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE TO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL WHILE CHOOSING THE DIRECTION THEY TAKE DOING IT.”

Work initiative, offering flexible hours and locations to help employees create a personalized work environ-ment. Scott Isenhart, Senior Marketing Recruiting Manager at Procter & Gamble says the initiative was clearly driven by business results – employees tend to do better work when they’re happy.

“Flex time is becoming almost universal for industries where it’s not critical to be on location in an office,” Gaspin noted. “Part of that is about people being connected via mobile technology, and the other part is a new focus on doing quality work effectively, rather than focusing on office hours.”

TRUSTING AN EMPLOYEE TO CONTRIBUTE meaningful work from his or her living room – or from an office outfitted with skate ramps and a gameroom, for that matter – demands a perfect fit between employee and employer. Recruiters and students alike are feeling the increased pressures of determining a good match. Social platforms like LinkedIn allow recruiters to sort through candidates to better target recruitment efforts, while students can tap into resources like Glassdoor.com to find peer-generated reviews of companies, plus photos and salary information. John Sumser, Principal Analyst of HRxAnalysts, suggests that the tighter filters available help match qualified candidates to employers – and the tighter the net that’s cast, the better.

“It’s now pretty well known that Google uses crazy interview questions or billboards that you can’t figure out unless you’re the exact right person for the job – but that’s why it works,” Sumser said. “And it’s great to be the best employer in the world – but what you really want to be is the best employer for the specific kinds of people who are applying.”

Employers are also changing their approach toward internships, seeing the annual summer crop of interns as more than photocopiers or coffee-fetchers. Compa-nies like Ernst & Young consider internships a crucial part of recruitment, and offer multiple opportunities for interested candidates to “come in and kick the tires” before signing a contract.

“It’s no longer enough to tell a candidate about a job; they want to see what they’re going to be doing on day one, and they want to experience it, not just hear about it,” said Dan Black, Americas Director of Campus Recruiting at Ernst & Young.

And once hired, students crave in-depth training opportunities that frequently include international travel for hands-on global experience. If one company doesn’t offer it, students are likely to look elsewhere.However, trumping international travel, flextime and five-star chefs in the kitchen is one simple desire: The ability to do meaningful work, right off the bat.

“Students don’t want to go into an entry-level job and answer someone’s phone and email and file papers anymore,” said Gaspin. “You see a lot of really sharp students coming out of college who want to effect

some real change and produce real results immediate-ly. They want to exercise their brain and flex their talent muscle at the same time.”

Does that equal “more fun than fun?” Sumser thinks so.

“The perks at a job tell you that a company’s going to take care of you, but if you look at a survey like Universum’s, it’s actually more about articulating the Ameri-can dream for young people,” he said.

The American dream? Maybe. Doing meaningful work at a company where you feel valued is the ultimate payback – but having an on-staff massage therapist never hurt anyone either. •


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

You have big decisions to make and even bigger dreams to fulfill. PNC is honored to be a Universum® Top 100 Ideal Employer. Discover how PNC can help you take the next step, and the step after that.

for taking the nextstep.

PNC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V/SO. ©2012 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Bank deposit products and services provided by PNC Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

Visit www.pnc.jobs/students.

Career Opportunities |

5156187 PNC Universum Top 100 Ad.indd 1 9/27/12 12:51 PM


UNIVERSUM TOP 100

You have big decisions to make and even bigger dreams to fulfill. PNC is honored to be a Universum® Top 100 Ideal Employer. Discover how PNC can help you take the next step, and the step after that.

for taking the nextstep.

PNC is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer – M/F/D/V/SO. ©2012 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Bank deposit products and services provided by PNC Bank, National Association, Member FDIC.

Visit www.pnc.jobs/students.

Career Opportunities |

5156187 PNC Universum Top 100 Ad.indd 1 9/27/12 12:51 PM

MBA FAST FACTS

THE STUDENTS WE SURVEY KNOW better than anyone how important – but also how overwhelming and sometimes stressful – the job search can be. Who better to ask for advice than people who have found success at these top companies? We made sure to ask each of the employees featured in this magazine to offer some career advice to students and recent graduates for every stage of their careers – including figuring out their areas of interest, searching and applying for jobs, and moving through the early years of their professional lives.

WE NOTICED SEVERAL COMMON THREADS in their advice and have compiled them into ten important tips:

• You can never start PREPARING too early. Take advantage of resources like your school’s career center, visit career fairs, and network with people in your industry of interest. • BE FLEXIBLE AND OPEN-MINDED when you’re looking for a job. Have a plan, but don’t feel like you need to stick to every detail of the plan.

• Don’t attempt to figure out exactly what job you want; it’s so much more important to learn what you like to do, WHAT MOTIVATES YOU, and what you want to be doing in the future.

• Do your homework! It’s really important to stay informed of industry trends and to RESEARCH the companies where you’re applying.

• Learn how to work with many different people. The ability to NETWORK EFFECTIVELY is just as important as any technical skill you’ll learn.

• Be patient as your career develops. LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN and don’t try to rush through those first few years.

• GAIN SOME EXPERIENCE in your area of interest. Internships are important!

• Don’t be your own worst enemy. TAKE ADVAN- TAGE of opportunities as they arise! You’ll never get a job if you don’t apply.

• Don’t be afraid to TRY SOMETHING NEW, especially early in your career.

• FIND A MENTOR who can guide you as your career develops.

CAREER TIPS FROM

THE EXPERTS

THIS YEAR’S RESPONDENTS HAVE AN AVERAGE GMAT SCORE OF 675.8.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF RESPONDENTS IS 28.6. THE RESPONDENTS ARE MOSTLY MEN:

62% MALE VERSUS

38% FEMALE.

#1CAREER GOAL

WORK/LIFE BALANCE

IS BACK ON TOP AS THE NUMBER ONE CAREER GOAL FOR MBA STUDENTS,

REPLACING LAST YEAR’S GOAL: TO BE COMPETITIVELY OR

INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGED.

ALMOST HALF

OF ALL MBA STUDENTS WANT TO WORK FOR MACRO EMPLOYERS (MORE THAN

1,000 EMPLOYEES)

5,748 MBA

STUDENTSWERE SURVEYED.NOT JUST FOR

SCIENTISTSA HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF MBA STUDENTS selected software and computer services as an industry they want to work in, bumping it up to the top five industries.


UNIVERSUM TOP 100


COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 BUSINESS

XENIA KOLESNIKOV, Position: Human Capital Analyst, Deloitte Consulting LLP. Education: Wharton, University of Pennsylvania, Management and Marketing, 2010.

Xenia Kolesnikov is given the resources she needs to take advantage of the vast array of opportunities at Deloitte.

»OUR MAIN ASSET IS OUR PEOPLE AND WE WANT THEM TO SUCCEED.«good at their jobs, but it’s their hobbies and passions that make this a really interesting and diverse place to work.

How are you able to achieve work/life balance?You are given the freedom to determine how you want to balance your work and personal life, and Deloitte provides the tools to help you achieve it. One of my favorite initiatives is Mass Career Customization, which allows you to take on more or less responsibility depending on where you are in your personal life. My coworkers are also a really good resource. Consulting involves a lot of travel, so we help each other work around scheduling conflicts so nobody is overwhelmed.

Describe the opportunities for advancement.We have a great performance management system that assigns you a counselor who helps you navigate the organization. You are also given competency models that tell you which tasks to focus on in order to succeed and progress in your career, depending on your individual goals. People here really want you to succeed – it’s up to you how much you want to push your career, but Deloitte provides you with the tools and support to help you.

What is the work culture like? We have a very collegial environment and we like to help each other. You’re not expected to know everything, but everyone is approachable and willing to help you. For example, I recently reached out to a colleague for help with a client, and although he didn’t know the answer, he put me in touch with a senior consultant to discuss it. It wasn’t even his client, but he took the time to help me find the right resource and tools. At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. •

XENIA KOLESNIKOV WAS INITIALLY attracted to Deloitte because of its reputation and prestige, but her interest in the organization deepened after experiencing the openness and approachability of the practitioners she met during the recruiting process. Xenia enjoys the same support and collaboration today as she takes advantage of the professional growth and learning and development opportunities Deloitte has to offer.

What was it like being a new hire at Deloitte? Being a new hire was a great experience because people here are so friendly and really enjoy getting to know new hires. We have an open-door policy, which means that you can knock on a partner’s door, introduce your-self, and have a conversation. It’s such a good opportu-nity to get career advice or just get to know the team. I think that the approachability of everyone, from junior staff to the most senior partners, is what surprised me the most.

How does Deloitte foster inclusiveness? There are several events and initiatives that help us get to know each other better and that foster a collaborative environment. We have programs like the Women’s Initiative (WIN), which connects you with a mentorship group, provides professional development opportunities, and helps introduce you to successful women in all parts of the organization. I’m directly involved in the Connect Team, which organizes events to keep everyone engaged. Deloitte is a large organization, but these efforts create a sense of connectedness and inclusiveness.

What kind of person would fit in at Deloitte? I think the main qualities needed to fit in are energy and passion. We have so many people here who are

DELOITTEwww.deloitte.comDeloitte is one of the leading professional services organizations in the U.S., specializing in audit, tax, consulting, and financial advisory services with clients in more than 20 industries. We provide powerful busi-ness solutions to some of the world’s most well-known and respected companies, including more than 75 percent of the Fortune 100.Number of employees: 51,000+Employees profile: We look for leaders across a vari-ety of backgrounds who thrive in a team environment and have strong analytical and communication skills.Ways in: The opportunities we offer are as diverse as the professionals we hire. Multiple internship programs and positions exist in our four business areas.Contact: (212) 489-1600

ONCE UPON A TIME ... England’s Great Western Railway (GWR) was a famous early "joint stock company." When its stock price slumped in 1849, GWR turned to an independent public accountant, William Deloitte, to audit the company. The experience was so valua-ble that GWR directors recommended compulsory independent oversight. As we embark upon our second century of achievement, we know our great clients and great leadership shaped the culture of client service that distinguishes the organization today.

Watch Xenia explain how, during her first year, she's developed a passion for helping clients solve their people problems: mycareer.deloitte.com/us/xenia

Deloitte

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.

com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain

services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

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Programsfor every success story

Magdalena | International Master in Management student 2011


COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 BUSINESS

MATTHEW JOHNSON, Position: Principal, Advisory. Education: University of South Carolina, B.S. in Business Administration, 1998, and Master's in Accounting, 1999.

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At KPMG, Matt Johnson is given the flexibility and support he needs to achieve his personal and professional goals.

»EVERY ASPECT OF MY JOB IS CONNECTED TO HELPING PEOPLE.«At KPMG, this occurs in three main areas: the way I’m able to help clients, the way I’m able to mentor individuals within the firm, and the work I’m able to do within our communities through volunteerism with the firm. Describe your involvement in volunteerism with KPMG.Most recently, I was part of the work KPMG has been doing wtih the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans to continue the rebuilding efforts seven years after Katrina: More than 120 volunteers from 21 KPMG offices across the U.S. came together to help out on our most recent trip there. Whether it’s reading to kids with KPMG’s Family for Literacy or delivering food with Meals on Wheels at an APIN event, I’m able to get my family involved with a lot of these projects, and they also foster a sense of community and giving back within KPMG.

What is the office culture like? ‘Supportive’ is the word that immediately comes to mind; the work here is challenging and we are given a lot of responsibility early on, but the way we collaborate creates a culture that is cooperative, flexible, and built on mutual respect and understanding. We can even donate our personal time to help colleagues who need additional time off to deal with their own family or other personal matters.

What advice could you offer to recent graduates?What you do today is going to be very different from what you’re going to be doing in three years, and your attitude through that process is incredibly important. Be patient as your career develops; treat the first few years as an investment, and use them to build your technical, communication, and leadership skills. The

MATT JOHNSON WAS INITIALLY attracted to KPMG by its supportive culture and international opportunities. More than ten years later, his involvement with the firm has reached far beyond serving his clients as a partner in the Advisory practice. Matt is the National Campus Recruiting Leader for Advisory, serves as the co-chair for the Asian Pacific Islander Network (APIN) in the Atlanta office, and participates in the firm’s volunteer initiatives. All of these projects allow Matt to integrate his personal goals into his professional life.

What was your perception of KPMG before you began working at the firm? Was it accurate? My perception was that, as one of the Big Four firms, KPMG was a great place to start a career and fast-track my skill-building, but that I could never advance beyond the manager level without sacrificing some of my work/life balance. I was wrong - the thing that surprised me most as my career progressed was the amount of flexibility our professionals are given throughout their careers, regardless of their position in the firm.

Can you talk about opportunities for advancement within the firm?There are plenty of opportunities for advancement – transfers to a different practice within KPMG, global and domestic rotations, and so on. There is also a lot of support for advancement at the firm: We help our professionals identify the opportunities that exist and, using our knowledge of their goals and aspirations, help them identify which ones would be the best fit.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Every aspect of my job is directly in line with my personal vision, which ultimately is to help people.

KPMG LLPwww.kpmg.com/US

KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm, is the U.S. member firm of KPMG International Cooperati-ve. Our purpose is to turn knowledge into value for the benefit of our clients, our people, and the capital markets. By combining a multidisciplinary approach with deep, practical industry knowledge, we help our clients meet challenges and respond to opportunities.

Number of employees: KPMG has approximately 23,000 people in the U.S.Employees profile: KPMG is looking for people who want to build a great professional services career across audit, tax, or advisory disciplines, and who bring strong analytical, technical, and communica-tions skills. Ways in: KPMG actively recruits on campus for a variety of full-time, internship and leadership opportu-nities. Visit kpmgcampus.com to learn more.Contact: www.kpmgcampus.com/whereweare

ONCE UPON A TIME ... KPMG LLP was formed in 1987 with the merger of Peat Marwick International (PMI) and Klynveld Main Goerdeler (KMG) and their individual member firms. Spanning three centuries, the organization's history can be traced through the names of its principal founding members — whose initials form the name KPMG.

KPMG LLP

payoff that follows in a relatively short period of time can be very rewarding, if you’ve built that foundation well. •

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 ENGINEERING COMPANY PROFILE

ALEXA BEAVER, Position: Technical Service Engineer, Global Fuels Technology. Education: Carnegie Mellon University, Chemical Engineering and Spanish, 2010.

Alexa Beaver fuels her passion for sustainable alternative energy as a technical service engineer at BP.

»I LOVE WORKING ON PROJECTS THAT DIRECTLY IMPACT CONSUMERS.«What is the office culture like at BP?It’s a very inclusive and collaborative environment. Some of the other places I interviewed gave off a competitive vibe, but here I feel as though your opinions are heard and respected — even if you’re new to the team. How does BP foster diversity in the workplace?As a female chemical engineer, I’ve definitely seen that diversity is supported and celebrated. BP works hard to foster innovation by supporting diversity across its many networks — you don’t get new ideas without encouraging diverse thinking.

What’s the most exciting project you’ve worked on so far?When I worked in automotive lubricants as part of my Downstream rotation, we worked on scoping out the potential for bio-based motor oil. Most people think the renewable energy and green technology is only found in alternative energy segments, but clean technology touches many segments at BP.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?I love having the privilege to say that what I do im-pacts things that consumers use every day. In Global Fuels Technology, it’s our responsibility to make sure we put out quality products and provide support to consumers — it’s really neat to have an opportunity to work on products that go directly to market.

What advice could you offer to students or recent graduates entering the workforce?That your first job isn’t going to be your last job — you should find a company that’s a good match and that you feel comfortable working with, and get your foot

WHEN ALEXA BEAVER was in high school she was a self-professed “math nerd” who excelled at math and science — but who also wanted to solve real-life problems outside of the lab. When she discovered engineering, she realized that she had found a way to channel her academic strengths toward projects she was passionate about, like sustainable energy alternatives. Her interest in green energy led to an internship at BP during college, and she returned to BP after graduation for a full-time position as a technical service engineer in the Global Fuels Technology group. Now she’s part of a team that designs, supports, and checks the quality of the motor oil and gas used by millions of consumers every day.

What was it like being a new hire at BP? During my first two years, as part of the Downstream Challenge rotation program, I spent time in three different departments of BP's Formulated Products Technology. This gives you a ton of experience and helps you get a feel for where you'd be a good fit. The biggest surprise for me was the amount of responsibility I was given — you’re really expected to contribute and to voice your opinion. I was also pleasantly surprised by how willing everyone was to help me. I had no experience with fuels or motor oils, but that was never an issue.

Are there any misconceptions or myths about BP? A lot of people think that BP is just an oil company, but really, it’s an energy company. We work on industrial and aviation lubricants as well as motor oils, and we’re also involved in alternative energy and developing biofuels. BP does much more than just oil, and nearly every segment is touched by renewable energy initiatives and green technology.

BPwww.bp.comBP’s business covers a lot of ground. We search the world for new reserves of petroleum and natural gas. We recover and refine and test and perfect. We market and trade products around the globe. We focus on finding alternative-energy solutions for our generation — and the next. There are many ways to be a part of BP, and even more ways to make a difference in the world. Number of employees: 83,400Employees profile: At BP, you can apply yourengineering, science, or business background to virtually any point in the energy supply chain.Ways in: Graduating students can apply online for full-time opportunities, including our rotational development programs. Those still in school can choose an internship or co-op to help launch their energy careers.Contact: [email protected] (U.S. University Relations Team)

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Alexa’s story shows part of the reason why BP was ranked the number one ideal employer by women studying engineering. Like Alexa, every BP employee has an amazing story. Visit www.bp.com/discoveries to hear about the personal and professional discoveries we make every day.

BP

in the door. Once you’re there, you’ll be able to see more opportunities than you thought possible. •

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COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 ENGINEERING

RODOLFO "RUDY" CHAVEZ, Position: Software Engineer, GE Healthcare. Education: Marquette University, Computer Engineering, 2009.

As a software engineer at GE Healthcare, Rudy works every day to deliver innovative solutions to global challenges.

»MY WORK MAKES A REAL DIFFERENCE, AND I TAKE PRIDE IN THAT.«customer. I value being able to actually produce – even though GE isn’t traditionally known as a software company, we’re creating the kind of software keeping airplanes in the air and helping heal patients. The work we do makes a real difference, and I take a lot of pride in that. Do you have any favorite products or technologies in particular that you’ve worked on? One of my favorite technologies that I worked on for short time was the Centricity Perinatal product, which is used to track a mother and child through labor. It’s a successful product and continues to innovate: over 35 million babies have been born using that software. I was also able to work on a technology that will improve how we send and receive medical images and make them available to different systems around the world. Since integrating information is one of the biggest challenges in healthcare today, it was exci-ting to work on something that would make a real difference.

What’s the “office culture” like? What kind of person would fit in at GE?The culture is going to be a little different depending on where you work within GE, but I think generally the right fit would be someone who takes initiative, who can solve problems, and who can communicate well. Because GE is such a large company, you need to be able to communicate your problems and your successes, and you need to be able to work with other people in order to be effective.

What competencies are in demand at GE?GE has always been a big engineering company, but in the last year or so, GE has made a big commitment

RODOLFO “RUDY” CHAVEZ ALWAYS FELT a strong tie to the healthcare industry, having grown up in a family of medical professionals, but ultimately knew he wan-ted to work with technology. When the opportunity presented itself to do an internship with GE Health-care, it seemed like the perfect way to synthesize his familiarity with healthcare and his interest in compu-ter science. As a software engineer in the two-year GE Edison Engineering Development Program (www.ge.com/eedp), Rudy is able to program techno-logy and create products that make an impact.

How did you become involved with the GE Edison Engi-neering program? I became involved in the program after working at GE as an intern – GE does a lot of recruiting through its internship programs. The rotational program really gives you a chance to try a little bit of everything, depending on your interests.

What was your perception of GE before you began working? Was it accurate?I don’t think I really had any negative or positive perceptions of GE; I just knew that it was a company that made appliances and light bulbs. But after working at GE, I have come to realize that it’s much more than that. They have history and strength as a global company, but they’re not resting on that – they’re constantly growing and innovating, and they can tackle a lot of the hard problems like healthcare and energy.

What is your favorite thing about your job? Since I work on software that’s customer facing, I receive immediate feedback and I can see right away whether or not the product is going to be right for the

GENERAL ELECTRICwww.ge.com/careersGE works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challen-ges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and helping to cure the world. Not just imagi-ning. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com. Number of employees: 300,000Employees profile: From engineering and information technology, to marketing and sales, to finance, manufacturing, and human resources, with GE you'll find the career opportunities and leadership develop-ment you need to succeed.Ways in: Leadership programs, internships, co-ops, direct hireContact: [email protected]

ONCE UPON A TIME ... GE traces its beginnings to Thomas A. Edison, who established Edison Electric Light Company in 1878. In 1892, a merger of Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston Electric Company created General Electric Company. GE is the only company listed in the Dow Jones Indus-trial Index today that was also included in the original index in 1896.

General Electric

to software across all the different businesses. If you’re in computer science or computer engineering, that’s going to be exactly what we’re looking for. •

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COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 ENGINEERING

Halliburton

A PROFESSOR ONCE TOLD DeShawn Jackson that the most important thing he could teach her was how to learn. “So I went through college learning how to learn,” Jackson said. “And when I graduated, the world was open to me.” As an electrical engineer at Halliburton, Jackson monitors the software that acts as “the eyes down-hole” during hyd-raulic fracturing projects. She’s often out in the field, where she makes sure that everything is working smoothly by using 3D software to monitor fracture growth in real time.

How did you first become interested in this industry?I grew up in Texas, where there are lots of refineries and where members of my family also worked in the industry. I wanted to work on-location and with people, so it was a good fit.

What do you enjoy most about your job?What makes it exciting for me is working with new tech-nology and being able to see what’s going on below the ground. I can watch fractures grow with the software I use; that’s pretty neat. I also like meeting new people.

What should students know about Halliburton? It’s a service company that offers a full range of oil-field

HALLIBURTONwww.halliburton.comHalliburton offers the world's broadest array of products, services, and integrated solutions for oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Number of employees: Halliburton has 70,000 employees in 80 countries.Ways in: Visit www.gohalliburton.com to learn more about available opportunities. Go Further, Faster.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Halliburton was founded in 1919 by Erle P. Halliburton. After borrowing a wagon, a team of mules, and a pump, he built a wooden mixing box and started an oil well cementing business in Duncan, Oklahoma.

DeShawn Jackson describes Halliburton as an exciting place to work with new technologies and new people.

services, so there are many opportunities here: field work for various product service lines, research and development, sales, training, consulting, etcetera. There are people in the field and in the office; you can go where you want to be.

What is it like to be a woman at Halliburton?My former manager was one of the very first women to be out in the field, and when I first started, that was still true. That has really changed though – Halliburton is really pushing to be more diverse. •

DESHAWN JACKSON, Position: Senior Technical Professional. Education: University of Texas at Austin, Electrical Engineering, 2006.

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Shell Oil Company

WHEN YOU STOP and fill up your gas tank at a Shell ser-vice station, you probably don’t think about all of the time and resources that went in to creating that product. Rhoman Hardy takes pride in working for a company that is constantly innovating to create better products that allow people all over the world to get to where they need to be.

What surprised you most when you first started?The thing that I remember most is how willing people were to help me identify and take advantage of the many different opportunities that were available to me. The openness of the employees made Shell a very comfortable place to come to work.

Are there any misconceptions people have about Shell?There’s sometimes a perception that people in this industry don’t focus as much on environmental performance, but Shell is simply not one of those companies. Our people really care about long-term sustainability, and I think the public would be surprised to know how much energy and focus we place on it.

What is the best thing about your job?In my role, I help organize resources that we have all over

SHELL OIL COMPANYwww.shell.comShell is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies. Our innovative approach ensures we are ready to tackle the challenges of the new energy future. Number of employees: 93,000+ in over 90 countriesWays in: Internships, scholarships, Shell Recruitment Day (for full time roles). Visit www.shell.us/careers.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... The word "Shell" first appeared in 1891, as the trademark for kerosene being shipped to the Far East by Marcus Samuel and Co. The word was elevated to corporate status in 1897, when Samuel formed The Shell Transport and Trading Company. When the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and Shell Transport and Trading merged in 1907, it was the latter’s brand name and symbol that became the short-form name and visible emblem of the new Royal Dutch/Shell Group. And so it has remained ever since.

Rhoman Hardy started at Shell as an intern and continues to take advantage of Shell's global opportunities.

the world in order to collectively improve how we do busi-ness – it’s incredibly enjoyable to communicate and solve problems with so many different people and cultures.

What would you like students to know about Shell?I think the main thing I’d like people to know about Shell is that it’s a global company, so there are incredible opportunities to interface with people all over the world. There is also a spirit of innovation here as we strive to find new and better ways of doing things. •

RHOMAN HARDY, Position: General Manager, Reliability Maintenance and Turnarounds, Global Manufacturing. Education: Louisiana State University, Electrical Engineering, 1991; Rice University, MBA, 2006.

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 ENGINEERING COMPANY PROFILE

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Siemens

ANNA WORKS IN New Product Introduction, where she is responsible for the transition of products from design to manufacturing. She was introduced to engineering at the age of eight, when she began helping her mother program robots in an industrial engineering lab. She joined the Engineering Leadership Development Program at Siemens after graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Why did you choose to work at Siemens? Siemens is committed to innovation and sustainability, so the products, services, and solutions that we develop have a purpose: They serve our communities and the world. I chose Siemens because I knew that I’d be challenged in my day-to-day work and that my professional career would continue to evolve. As an employee, you can move up into management tracks or become an expert as an individual contributor.

Can you talk about your experience in the Leadership Development Program (LDP)?During the program, I was exposed to all aspects of the company and within the first month was interacting with executives. The LDP exposed me to what it takes to run

SIEMENSwww.usa.siemens.comWe are an integrated technology company of engineers, technical specialists, and business and operations professionals creating solutions in energy, health care, industry, and infrastructure and cities. Number of employees: 60,000 at over 800 U.S. locations and 360,000 globallyWays in: Siemens U.S. offers internships, leadership development programs, technical training programs, and direct-hire opportunities.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Founded by Werner von Siemens in 1847, Siemens now operates in 190 regions world-wide. In the U.S., we honor our 165-year heritage of excellence by choosing to be responsible for the development of innovative, sustainable solutions for our customers, country, and the world.

Anna Petrick Gerfin values the professional experiences and personalized support she receives at Siemens.

a business that impacts the world around us. I came out of the program prepared to be a better professional and ready to take charge of my career.

What types of people find success at Siemens? At Siemens, we're problem solvers. Here, successful people are the ones who want to work with a team to apply analytical and critical thinking – not to just invent, but to find the right answers to real-world questions. •

ANNA PETRICK GERFIN, Position: Senior Quality Engineer. Education: Penn State University, Mechanical Engineering, 2007

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I am still waiting on the �nal color for the folder but could you we liked the messaging with 3 lines, could the font size be the same as black folder one, (so smaller).


COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 IT

KATHERINE NGUYEN, Position: Research and Development Project Manager, Global Graduate Program. Education: Stanford University, Bachelor's in Product Design, 2009; Master's in Mechanical Engineering, 2012.

Motorola Mobility

SHELLEY HAS BEEN WORKING in university relations since 1999. She joined Motorola Mobility because she trusted the products and knew she could share her excitement about the company with students. After spending more time in the open and creative work environment, Shelley knew that it was the right place for her.

What is your favorite thing about your job? The people and the technology I work with. Everyone here wants to succeed, but we also have a great time together. It’s great to have the latest Motorola Mobility phone and tablet!

How has Motorola Mobility grown or changed recently? We were recently acquired by Google, which has been a big, exciting change. Our current restructuring will allow for us to hire top talent from universities which adds to the innovation. We’re also opening a new office in the heart of Chicago this summer where new grads with EE degrees may have an opportunity to jump-start their careers.

What is the office culture like? Our office is very open, literally and figuratively. The office itself is very bright with many windows, modern work-

MOTOROLA MOBILITYwww.motorola.com/mobilityMotorola Mobility, owned by Google, is breaking through the barriers that separate people from the things they love. It’s what we call a Motorola Powered future and we’re making the devices that do more, so people can do more. Number of employees: 10,000 globallyWays in: Summer internships and co-ops during the year for qualifying schools

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Motorola Mobility has a long history of innovation. For over 80 years, we have worked to connect people to each other and to the world in new ways. When automobiles were becoming popular, we helped bring entertainment to the ride. We introduced the world's first commercial portable cellular phone. At Motorola Mobility, we're proud of our heritage and we want to share it.

Shelley Karpaty enjoys introducing students to the open and collaborative environment at Motorola Mobility.

spaces, and large couch areas—the space lends itself very well to collaboration. In my experience, this collaboration allows for support on various levels. People understand good ideas come from all levels of the organization.

What should students know about Motorola Mobility? Motorola Mobility is a place of creativity and innovation. Our culture is driven by our people and their experiences, and the vision of our company is clear. And now with Google by our side, there is nothing stopping us. •

SHELLEY KARPATY, Position: University Relations and Social Media Manager, Talent Acquisition. Education: University of Hartford, English, 1992.

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Ericsson

KATHERINE NGUYEN ALWAYS KNEW she wanted to work on products that could make a difference in people's every-day lives, but wasn’t aware of the opportunities at Ericsson until she attended a career fair at Stanford. Now, Katherine is in Stockholm taking part in Ericsson’s Global Graduate Program, where she is working as a Research and Deve-lopment Project Manager. As part of the program, she’ll have the opportunity to work on international assignments in both Stockholm, Sweden, and Bangalore, India.

How did you become interested in mobile technology? I’ve always wanted to work on products that touch people's lives. Since Ericsson is all about connecting the world through mobile broadband, it was a great fit! I’m also thrilled to get to know Bangalore, where I will work on the implementation phase of a project I started in California.

What is your favorite aspect of the work you do?The sheer scale of the lives we touch with technology is amazing. People may not know it, but whenever they make a call or access the Internet through a mobile device, Ericsson is making those connections possible. Our primary business is mobile broadband networks. I'm in the Internet Protocol unit, which is where the industry is moving towards, so it’s our future. It’s definitely very cool to be on the company’s cutting edge.

ERICSSONwww.ericsson.comEricsson is the world’s leading provider of tele-communications equipment and services to network operators. We believe in building a better, more interconnected world. We call it the Networked Society. Number of employees: 108,095 globally Ways in: Internships, co-ops, Global Excellerate Program, new college graduate opportunities

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Ericsson is the company that invented Bluetooth. Today, over 50 percent of the world's smartphone traffic and over 60 percent of the world's 4G LTE traffic passes through Ericsson's networks. Ericsson supports networks in over 180 countries and is the world's fifth largest software company.

Katherine keeps her finger on the pulse of global mobile technology with Ericsson.

What is the company culture like at Ericsson?There’s a huge emphasis on innovation and technology leadership. We have the emphasis on technology of a Sili-con Valley startup, but with a European work/life balance.

What advice would you give to recent graduates?The career center and career fairs were invaluable resources - I went to as many as possible. Don't disqualify yourself before trying for a job either - you won't get it if you don't apply. •

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 IT COMPANY PROFILE

MARCUS BAYNES, Position: Analyst/Computer Scientist. Education: MIT, Mathematics, 2000; Master’s in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 2007.

Marcus Baynes is proud to be a part of the diverse group of people that works at NSA to protect Americans and help save lives.

»WE DO WORK AT NSA THAT CAN’T BE DONE ANYWHERE ELSE.«What’s the work environment like at NSA?The work is demanding and important, but we have a lot of fun doing it. There is a huge emphasis on work/ life balance. I love the fact that once I go home, I don’t take my work home with me – I can’t take it home with me, because it’s classified – and I can spend time with my family. How does NSA foster an inclusive environment?There is an incredibly wide range of people who work here, so anyone will fit in one way or another. I’ve never found race, gender, disability, or anything like that to be any kind of hindrance. People don’t even see those things as defining characteristics, because every-one knows we’re all working for the same cause. We’re prepared to work together to serve our country.

What excites you about working for NSA? What are some challenges you face?The work we do is really cool, and it’s work that you can’t do anywhere else. That’s exciting to me. The main challenge is that, since our work is so important, the job can be pretty demanding. As a team leader, I have to juggle a lot of projects and figure out the most efficient way to get the job done. It’s not easy, but it keeps me challenged and allows me to grow.

What are the opportunities for advancement within the agency? There are opportunities to further your education – I was able to get my master’s degree while working at the agency. There are also plenty of resources availa-ble to help you grow, learn, and rise up in the organization or move into different areas. The possibilities are endless.•

WHEN MARCUS BAYNES ENTERED the National Security Agency as a college intern, he never expected to stay longer than the four years that a special scholarship had required, planning instead to gain experience at NSA while focusing on other career goals. His mind quickly changed once he started working at the agency – he fell in love with its mission and relaxed atmosphere, as well as the exciting challenges he faced at work, and realized it was the perfect place for him.

Are there any misconceptions or myths about the agency? Were your own perceptions correct? I try to dispel myths that are put forth in movies: We’re not spying on Americans or walking around with guns, for example. That’s just not who we are. I also had some misconceptions about working for the government. Before I started, I thought everyone was going to be nerdy and uptight, coming to work in suits all of the time. In reality, the people here are really cool and diverse. There are people who wear suits, but there are also people with blue hair who wear T-shirts to work every day. I wasn’t expecting such a fun and relaxed environment.

Can you talk about the mission of NSA? How does it feel knowing the work you do helps achieve this mission?Our mission has two sides to it, the offensive and the defensive. We try to uncover foreign adversaries’ data and figure out what they’re doing to disguise it. And we also come up with ways to protect our own data. Innovation plays a huge role; NSA is on the cutting edge of technology. It’s awesome to be a part of a larger mission that’s serving Americans, saving lives, and protecting our troops around the world.

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCYNSA.govThe National Security Agency (NSA) secures the nation’s vital networks and critical information while exploiting those of foreign adversaries. The mission never sleeps. As technology evolves, so do America’s cyber vulnerabilities. NSA needs a wide range of talented professionals to help us outthink, outwork, and defeat adversaries’ new ideas.Number of employees: Approximately 30,000Employees profile: NSA is looking for talent in fields such as comp. sci., engineering, cybersecurity, math, intel analysis, foreign language, and business admin.Ways in: Apply for a full-time position or one of NSA’s many student programs at NSA.gov/Careers. U.S. citizenship and a security clearance are required.Contact: Contact NSA at 1-866-NSA-HIRE.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... For 60 years, NSA has protected national security information and systems. We give the nation a decisive edge to make information and IT an asset for America and a liability for its adversaries. The American people have placed great trust in us, and we strive at all times to be deserving of that trust. Remarkable people with remarkable skills form the heart of the National Security Agency.

National Security Agency

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 NATURAL SCIENCE COMPANY PROFILE

National Institutes of Health

AS THE LEADER OF A RESEARCH LAB in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Justin Taraska oversees and conducts interesting, exciting experiments every day.

What sets the NIH apart from other opportunities?I have always seen the NIH as the center of biomedical research in the U.S. since there’s a large concentration of world-class research and expertise in one place. The diversity of skills, projects, and interests here makes it possible to move experiments and projects forward really effectively.

What surprised you most when you first started?I think the thing that surprised me most was how collaborative people are among institutes. I had always thought that the institute system was more separated, that people working in different institutes would really only be working among people in those institutes, but there is a lot of cross-institute collaboration that happens everyday.

Describe a favorite project that you are working on. My lab collaborates with several groups from institutions in the DC area to determine the structure of cells using high-resolution imaging techniques that allows us to

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTHwww.nih.govThe National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, and is the largest source of funding for medical research in the world. Number of employees: More than 20,000 federal employees and contractorsWays in: www.training.nih.gov for Scientific Trainee Opportunities, www.jobs.nih.gov for NIH jobs, or 301-402-6040 for Pathways Program for Students and Recent Graduates

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Approximately 1,200 Principal Investigators conduct basic, translational, and clinical research in the Intramural Research Program at NIH. It is the largest biomedical research institution on Earth.Please visit irp.nih.gov.

Justin Taraska takes advantage of the distinct resources at the NIH to advance cutting-edge research.

visualize cells on an extremely small scale. It really takes advantage of the breadth of skills at the NIH.

What competencies are in demand at the NIH? What kind of person would fit in? It’s a very diverse place and there’s really room for many kinds of people. I think the ideal candidate would be so-meone who is curious, hardworking, and passionate about science and medicine. There’s definitely a new energy here, a lot of new people and new projects; it’s exciting. •

JUSTIN TARASKA, Position: Principal Investigator, Division of Intramural Research, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Education: Reed College, Biology, 1999; The Vollum Institute at Oregon Health and Science University, PhD in Cell Biology, 2004.

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Isabel Barros @IB_Barros

I just helped a student realize he can be what he thought he couldn’t.Best status update ever. #makebetterhappen

1h

CONTACT Kristina Matthews at [email protected] for details.

Calling all Employer and Employee Brand Experts, HR and Career Professionals to join UNIVERSUM on May 8th & 9th for one of the Largest Employer Branding Events of 2013.

WHO ATTENDED IN 2012?Walt Disney, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, Johnson & Johnson, Bain & Company, Ericsson, NASA, Electronic Arts, IBM, KPMG, Google, Living Social, The Hershey Company, Autodesk, Toys “R” Us, Hyatt Hotels, Boeing, Enterprise, McKinsey & Co, Tiffany & Co, Ernst & Young, CIA, Amazon, The Hartford, Nestle, Dell, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BD, RBS, ABB, Vanguard, Credit Suisse, PwC, Altria, Mars, Unilever, Shell, Prudential, General Electric and the National Security Agency

WWW.UNIVERSUMGLOBAL.COM

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

May 8th–9th, 2013The New York Times Building

New York, New York

EMPLOyER BRANDINGC O N F E R E N C E

b u i l d i n g b r a n d s t o c a p t u r e t a l e n t

WWW.EMPLOYERBRANDINGCONFERENCE.COM | WWW.UNIVERSUMAWARDS.COM

ENGAGE youINSPIRE you& provide invaluable KNOWLEDGE

THE EMPLOYER BRANDING CONFERENCE WILL:

AN EXCLUSIVE GROUP OF SENIOR HR EXECUTIVES,

TOP UNIVERSITIES AND STUDENTS JOIN TOGETHER TO SHARE

KNOWLEDGE IN THE EMPLOYER BRANDING, RECRUITMENT, AND

HR FIELD.

WWW.EMPLOYERBRANDINGCONFERENCE.COM


COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 MBA

DEBRA A. SANDLER, Position: President, Mars Chocolate, North America. Education: Hofstra University, International Trade, 1982; NYU Stern School of Business, MBA, 1989; Long Island University, Honorary Doctorate, 2007.

Debra A. Sandler works with smart people who are passionate about the brands they work with.

»AT MARS, I WORK WITH SOME OF THE MOST FUN BRANDS IN THE WORLD.«drinks that we continue to develop and grow. My job is to grow a large, global chocolate business – if you can’t have fun doing that, there’s something seriously wrong. How does Mars foster a diverse environment? Diversity is very important to me on a personal level. Many companies talk about diversity, but what counts for me are the actions. You don’t see many women of color heading up large corporations! At Mars, we look for people who are passionate and good at what they do, and that matters first and foremost.

What is your favorite Mars product?This is a tough one because there are so many good choices, but if I had to pick one, it would be Peanut Butter M&Ms® – I think they’re one of our best-kept secrets. They’re absolutely delicious.

How has Mars grown since you have worked there? What are the plans for the future?I have been incredibly pleased with Mars’ focus on building versus cutting, both in the U.S. and around the world. It’s not just something we talk about; it’s something we do. We are continuing to invest in the business, our teams, and ourselves.

What are the opportunities for advancement within Mars? We are a growing, global, multi-category business, so in terms of career advancement, I would say the sky is the limit. There are opportunities for people to move all around the world as our business grows; we also encourage cross-functional moves within the company. Mars is truly committed to seeking out and nurturing talent to build a high-performing team, so there is a lot of support for career development. If you have an

AS THE PRESIDENT OF MARS CHOCOLATE in North America, Debra A. Sandler works with brands that people all over the world know and love. During the three years she has spent with the company, she has watched Mars continue to expand its business on a global scale – and has had a lot of fun doing it!

How did you first become interested in the Consumer Product Goods industry? I have always been fascinated by people and their relationships with brands – what makes someone love or hate a brand, and why people pick certain brands over others. I was attracted to Mars largely because I was excited about the strong brands I would be working with, from chocolate to petcare.

What is the office culture at Mars? I work in a fun place with smart people who are all passionate about chocolate. People ask me if my office is like Candy Land – I laugh, but there are some days when that perception seems to be pretty accurate! Our office is joined to a large M&Ms® chocolate candies factory, so there are days when I get to work in the morning and can smell the chocolate being made. Additionally the office space is very open and full of fun, bright colors and big pictures of our characters. The physical space tells you a lot about the work environ-ment here – it’s totally open plan, and we’re all equals – I sit at the same size desk as everyone else. It’s probably not for everyone, but I love it. We’re like a family, here to work together and drive the business forward. Mars is a business unlike any other.

What excites you about working for Mars? I love the global nature of our business – we have big, well-known brands in confectionery, petcare, food, and

MARSwww.mars.comWhen people think of Mars, most often they think of chocolate. But we’re much more. We’re a privately owned company with net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Wrigley Gum & Confections, Food, Drinks, Symbioscience, and of course, Chocolate.Number of employees: More than 70,000 associates worldwide are putting our Mars principles in action every day to Make It Mean More for people and the planet through our performance.Employees profile: We aim to attract exceptional people - whether they graduate with a bachelor's, master's, or MBA - people who demand total responsibility from themselves.Ways in: We offer rotational, full-time, and internship roles. Areas include finance, HR, IT, marketing, R&D, sales, supply chain, engineering, and veterinary science.Contact: www.mars.com/careers

ONCE UPON A TIME ... In 1911, Frank C. Mars started making candy in his Tacoma, Washington, kitchen. Little did he know a century later, Mars would be a global success. It’s quite a story! And if you decide to join us, you’ll have every opportunity to help us write the next chapter. You could even do something out of this world, like we did in 1982 when M&Ms® became the first candy in space. With us, your career could take off just as quickly.

Mars

entrepreneurial spirit and are looking for a career adventure, you could be successful here for a long time.•

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UNIVERSUM TOP 100 COMPANIES TO WATCH COMPANY PROFILE

YANG YANG, Position: Manager, Enterprise Risk Management. Education: University of Warwick (U.K.), Mathema-tics, 2002; Stanford University, Master's in Mathematics, 2004; Penn State University, Master's in Economics, 2007.

Yang enjoys facing challenges and focusing on the future with a positive and dynamic group of people at AIG.

»WE’RE SO EXCITED FOR WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR AIG.«What role does innovation play in your work?Innovation is vital to our work, and AIG invests in it heavily. For example, we have established a cross-disciplinary applied science team (mathematicians, engineers, physicists) to create innovative tools that help us make the right decisions and grow the business. We’re constantly finding new and interesting ways to use our data.

What are the opportunities for advancement within AIG? At AIG, advancement is merit-based, not tenure-based. We promoted one of my entry-level analysts to senior analyst within a year – it usually take three to five years, but she does such a great job and we want to keep challenging her. Many managers are passionate about helping employees grow in their careers. I personally want to help women early in their careers gather the momentum that can carry them forward.

How has AIG grown and changed in recent years?We have refocused on our core insurance businesses, with major growth coming from P&C (property and casualty) in emerging markets and life [insurance] in U.S. retirement markets. We have significantly reduced the US Treasury equity stake in AIG and will pay back all the taxpayers’ support with profits. We are on a strong growth trajectory, and are very proud of it.

What competencies will be in demand? We are a growing company and we’re always looking for qualified junior talent. Someone who is versatile, creative, and able to work well with others would be the ideal candidate. •

YANG THRIVES IN THE collaborative, fast-paced environment at AIG. Her colleagues are talented and motivated, and the career opportunities are diverse and attractive. At AIG, there is a lot of support for people who are starting out in their careers.

What were your perceptions of AIG before you star-ted? Were they accurate? First and foremost, I believed that joining AIG would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help rebuild a great company. When I interviewed at AIG, the prevailing mood was one of renewal – people were hopeful, positive, and confident. The company had just made it through a major crisis and people saw an opportunity to grow bigger, better, and stronger – and I wanted to be part of this team. Second, I was impressed by the humility of the people I met. My perceptions proved accurate; if anything, the real experience has been even more vivid - the company is not at all hierarchical, and there is a culture of healthy debate when it comes to important decisions.

What is the best thing about your job?My managers respect my professional goals – we talk regularly to make sure the work I do helps me to advance. AIG has a pay-for-performance philosophy: If you deliver, you will be recognized and rewarded.

Can you talk about the work environment? The environment here is dynamic, fast-paced, and full of opportunity. There is no rigid routine – there is always something new happening. We are a rapidly growing company and we’re making a lot of positive changes as we rebuild AIG.

AIGwww.aig.comAmerican International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States.Number of employees: 57,000 employees globallyEmployees Profile: AIG seeks candidates who have excelled in previous work experience, demonstrated outstanding academic and extracurricular achievement, possess strong analytical, quantitative and interpersonal skills, and are enthusiastic about and committed to the insurance industry. We also look for a diverse background of experience, culture, and thought. Successful candidates typically have a global perspective and a record of successful teamwork.Ways in: We offer internships and professional development programs across business units and functions globally. Contact: [email protected]

ONCE UPON A TIME ... AIG traces its roots to 1919, when Cornelius Vander Starr established a general insurance agency, American Asiatic Underwriters in Shanghai, China.

AIG

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COMPANY PROFILE UNIVERSUM TOP 100 COMPANIES TO WATCH

SHANNON PARKS, Position: Head of Environmental Science and Sustainable Technology, Alcoa Technical Center. Education: Penn State, Civil Engineering, 1997; Carnegie Mellon, Master's in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2005; PhD, 2008.

As an environmental engineer at Alcoa, Shannon uses innovation and new technologies to make a difference in the world.

»AT ALCOA, I'M ALWAYS LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.«tomers to be more sustainable as well – making lighter cars and planes that need less fuel, and everything from cans to consumer electronics that can be recycled again and again.

What does a typical day at work look like?There really is no typical day at Alcoa. I can spend part of my day working with a team to develop a new water treatment technology, and later be in the lab running experiments, or out in the field overseeing construction. I’m currently planning a trip to our plant in Iceland to oversee an environmental project. And in addition to my project work, I frequently participate in lunch-and-learn sessions with the Alcoa Women’s Network and also spend time volunteering with my coworkers through Alcoa Foundation. Every day is different and I’m never bored.

Can you talk more about Alcoa Foundation?Alcoa Foundation supports global efforts focusing on environment, empowerment, education, and sustaina-ble design. Since the '50s, the foundation has invested $550 million to strengthen local communities where Alcoa operates. We have aluminum recycling pro-grams on college campuses, volunteer in classrooms and at science fairs, and are planting 10 million trees by 2020. We try to integrate our employees’ passions with projects that help the community. I’m fortunate to serve on the board of the foundation and lend my sustainability expertise to their work.

Do you have a favorite product that Alcoa makes? Because of my passion for the environment, I love the EcoCleanTM product – it’s a self-cleaning, smog-eating finish on our aluminum used on buildings. It works with sunlight and rainwater to reduce air

SHANNON PARKS HAS ALWAYS loved the outdoors, so when she was looking for work, she was torn between her strong interest in environmental engineering and her desire to do research. At the Alcoa Technical Cen-ter, Shannon has found the perfect blend. She works in the largest light-metals research center in the world and has access to cutting-edge innovation, but is also able to work outdoors and implement the technology she develops.

What was your perception of Alcoa before you started? I always thought of Alcoa as a company that strictly made aluminum – I assumed that only people with metallurgy backgrounds would be working here. Obviously, I’ve found that this isn’t the case. Everyone from engineers to accountants has opportunities here.

What surprised you most when you first started?I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the variety of challenging work that I’ve had the opportunity to do in just a few years. My projects are really interesting and have global significance. There’s incredible opportunity here: I’ve been given a great deal of responsibility and still have so much growth potential.

Describe the sustainability efforts at Alcoa. We look at sustainability very holistically. Our com-pany vision is, “Alcoa. Advancing each generation,” and it’s exciting to me that Alcoa views the environ-ment as very important, but we also see sustainability as much bigger than that – we take social and fiscal responsibility very seriously. We provide jobs in communities, offer health and wellness opportunities for employees, and support responsible water, air, and waste management. Also, because aluminum is lightweight and infinitely recyclable, we help our cus-

ALCOA www.alcoa.comAlcoa is the world’s leading aluminum producer, crea-ting innovative and sustainable solutions that move the world forward. Our lightweight, energy-efficient materials continue to transform the aerospace, auto-motive, packaging, building and construction, and consumer electronics markets. Sustainability is part of everything we do, and due to aluminum’s infinite recyclability, 75 percent of all the metal produced since 1888 is still in use today.Number of employees: 60,000Employees profile: There’s a world of opportunity for students and new grads at Alcoa in many disciplines, including engineering, procurement, EHS, finance, HR, IT, consulting, and quality. Ways in: Get to know us better at www.alcoa.com/campus. We actively recruit students on campus for internships and new graduate roles. Contact: jobs.alcoa.com

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Alcoa invented the modern-day aluminum industry. From the first human air flight at Kitty Hawk to the lunar landing at the Sea of Tranquility, our solutions have helped shape every major advance in aviation. More than 90 percent of aerospace alloys in use today were invented by Alcoa, and our products are found on virtually anything that flies - including NASA’s Curiosity rover, which recently landed on Mars after a 352 million-mile journey from Earth.

Alcoa

pollutants. Using the EcoCleanTM product at one gas station is the equivalent of planting 80 trees. It’s a fairly new product and we are very excited about it. •

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BASF

AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE 24 MONTH rotational Leader-ship Development Program at BASF, Farheen has the opportunity to work for a company that’s at the leading edge of finding sustainable solutions for global problems.

What was your perception of BASF before you started? I initially assumed that as a chemical company, the main focus would be cutting costs and selling commodities, rather than innovation and sustainability. I quickly realized that my impression was far from the truth. BASF is innovative and dynamic, and the work we do is challenging and very exciting.

Do you have a favorite project you’ve worked on?I recently had the opportunity to work with shale gas, which is currently very widely discussed in the news. It was really motivating for me to be able to connect what I was learning about in the news with projects our company is actually accomplishing.

Can you describe the sustainability efforts at BASF? Sustainability is woven into every single aspect of BASF. We contribute to sustainable solutions for global challen-ges. For example, how will we find enough food, water,

BASFwww.basf.usBASF is the world’s leading chemical company. We create chemistry for a sustainable future. Through science and innovation, we enable customers in all industries to meet society’s current and future needs.Number of employees: 111,000 worldwide; 16,000 in North America.Ways in: Professional and Leadership Development Programs, summer internships, hiring at the professional level in engineering and business

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Many people remember BASF as a pioneer in audio & video cassette tapes, but the company sold the business in 1997 to sharpen its market focus. More recently, acquisitions & investments have enabled BASF to grow its business & expand into strategic markets such as catalysts and electro-mobility.

Farheen Qadir tells what it’s like to work for a company focused on innovation and sustainability.

and energy to meet the requirements of a growing world population? BASF is involved in developing sustainable solutions to answer that very question.

Discuss the opportunities for growth at BASF.In the two years that I’ve been here, I have already gained experience in four different industries and two countries. In my opinion, given its size and the breadth of the busi-nesses and industries that BASF touches, the opportunities are endless.•

FARHEEN QADIR, Position: Manager, Business Excellence. Education: MIT, Chemical Engineering, 1999, and M.S., Chemical Engineering, 2000; University of Pennsylvania, Wharton, MBA, 2010; M.A., International Studies, 2010.

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SCA

LIKE SCA, JAN JOHANSSON has been on an exciting jour-ney. He started his career at the SCA wood pulp factory in Sundsvall, Sweden. After pursuing law and international management, he returned to SCA as CEO in 2007.

In your eyes, what makes SCA an attractive employer?SCA and the Swedish forests have always had a special place in my heart. But SCA is not only Europe’s largest private owner of forestland, it is also the second largest hygiene company in the world. Being at the forefront of sustainability and innovation, with an ambition to grow, makes my work interesting, challenging and meaningful.

Describe your award-winning sustainability efforts.Our business is based on forests; we understand the potential impacts of pollution and acidification. We are reducing energy consumption at our factories all over the world, and our efforts aren’t limited to the environment. SCA has high ethical standards and a zero tolerance policy regarding corruption and child labor. For the fifth year in a row, the Ethisphere Institute has recognized SCA as one of the world’s most ethical companies.

What still needs to be done? We are focusing more on hygiene products, which are less

SCAwww.sca.comSCA is a global hygiene and forest company that deve-lops and produces diapers, incontinence care products, toilet paper, and forest products that are sold in more than 100 countries. We are the second-largest hygiene company in the world and Europe’s largest private forest owner. Our best-known global brands include TENA and Tork.Number of employees: Approximately 37,000 Ways in: All our vacancies are posted on the SCA job portal at www.sca.com.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... The SCA group was born in 1929. It was the brainchild of Ivan Kreuger, known as the Swedish Match King. He brought together about ten in-dependent forestry companies into a single group made up of sawmills, pulp producers, mechanical engineering outfits, and energy companies.

capital-intensive and less sensitive to economic conditions. We plan to strengthen our innovation-driven culture by finding new partners and creating innovation centers. There is a high demand for our products and we expect to achieve significant growth in emerging markets.

What kinds of skills are in demand? Innovation, sustainability, and growth are the cornerstones of our development. We're looking for people who want to make a difference and who can think outside the box.•

JAN JOHANSSON, Position: President and CEO. Education: Stockholm University, Master of Laws, 1981.

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Innovation and sustainability are at the top of SCA's agenda.

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H&M

HENRIK HENRIKSSON'S FIRST EXPERIENCE at H&M was working as a part-time sales advisor in 2000 while at the same time studying for his MBA. Henrik had made a decision that he wanted real–life business experience from one of the best fashion retailers in the world.

What positions have you had with H&M?Part-time Sales Advisor, Regional Business Controller – Stockholm, Sweden, Budget Controller - Buying Office Sweden, Expansion Project Manager (China, Hong Kong, Japan and Russia), Country Controller/CFO for Sweden, and Country Controller for U.S.

What excites you about working for H&M?The growth and the expansion of H&M is very exciting right now because it creates so many new opportunities for employee development both here in the U.S. organization, as well as globally. In the next 18 months we will launch e-commerce in the U.S. and open our first stores in Mexico, Chile and Malaysia.

What's important for candidates to know about H&M?We have a set of values that set the framework for everything we do. At H&M you won’t get many manuals or written checklists. Based on our company values, your mind, drive, and passion are the keys to your potential success in your function at the company. H&M co-workers are given plenty of freedom to make their own decisions and to take responsibility. •

H&Mwww.hm.comH & M Hennes & Mauritz AB was founded in Sweden in 1947. Our business concept is to offer fashion and quality at the best price. H&M has a wide product ran-ge that is divided into numerous concepts for women, men, teenagers and children. The company’s clothing collections are created by its own designers, pattern makers and buyers. The H&M Group has around 2,600 stores in 47 markets including franchise markets. Number of employees: More than 94,000 globally, more than 9,000 in the U.S.Ways in: We look for people with strong educational backgrounds in different disciplines, but personality is really the most important asset of an H&M employee. We believe in people and having the experience of working in our stores is often a door opener to the rest of the company.

ONCE UPON A TIME ... H&M founder Erling Persson was inspired by retail stores on a trip to New York and decided to go back to Sweden and open a store himself. He opened his first store 65 years ago in 1947 in Vasteras, Sweden, selling women’s clothing. The store was called “Hennes” which means “hers” in Swedish! In 1968 Persson bought the hunting and fishing equipment store Mauritz Widforss. He then began to sell men’s and children’s clothing in addition to Ladies clothing. The company name was then changed to Hennes & Mauritz.

HENRIK HENRIKSSON, Position: Country Controller for H&M, U.S. Education: Wargentinsskolan College, Sweden, Economics and Business Administration 1996; Jönköping International Business School (JIBS) MBA, 2000.

MEREDITH SOFER IS AN Associate Counsel for H&M North America. She is responsible for drafting, review-ing and negotiating the company’s store leases for U.S. and Canada, in order to ensure H&M meets its goals for projected store openings.

What’s a typical day like for you? I have many phone calls and many meetings. You can often find me at my desk, reviewing several leases and negotiating provisions with Landlord attorneys. As part of the lease negotiation process, I work closely with my colleagues on the expansion team, as well as members of the facilities, construction, accounting, and the lease administration groups. Constant communication and team work is a big part of my day, and that communca-tion is crucial in order to make sure that our stores are the best that they can be.

What excites you about working for H&M?There is always something interesting going on at

H&M! It’s gratifying to be a part of such a dynamic company, and to use my real estate legal background to help facilitate the company’s goals and successes. For example, I recently worked on a short-term License Agreement (at a property in Canada where H&M already has a store), so H&M could “rent” space for the 10 foot-David Beckham statue PR campaign. It was a really cool and unique concept – and I enjoyed being able to help make it happen!

What's it like working for a global company? It has been extremely rewarding. I’ve learned a lot as an attorney, and an H&M employee. I attend global expansion meetings 2-3 times a year in Stockholm, which gives me an opportunity to meet colleagues from other countries, and obtain a broader understanding of the company’s values and goals.

What has made you stay at H&M? In addition to the fact that it’s such a successful company, it truly feels like a family here. We have an open office environment, which really creates a fun, collaborative and energetic workplace. There are no closed doors and the priority is to always “let the best idea” win regardless of where it originates. As an attorney specializing in real estate law, I love what I do – and using my expertise to help with the growth and expansion of the company is an amazing opportunity. •

MEREDITH SOFER, Position: Associate Counsel, H&M North America. Education: Duke University, American Civilization and Communities, 2001; University of Virginia School of Law, Juris Doctor (JD), 2004.

»H&M BELIEVES IN PEOPLE AND IS GUIDED BY VALUES, NOT BY MANUALS«

At H&M, Meredith and Henrik are examples that each and every em-ployee plays a major role in the success of the company. photo: jose martinez



MARCA ARMSTRONG, Position: Vice President of Marketing for Panasonic System Communications Company of North America. Education: Mount Holyoke College, International Relations, 1989; Master in International Management, Thunderbird School of Global Management 1994.

Marca Armstrong works at a global level at Panasonic to position the company as a solutions brand.

»WE ARE CONSTANTLY INNOVATING TO MEET OUR CUSTOMERS' NEEDS.«guiding principles of our founder. We have a lot of people who have been at Panasonic for over 20 years. You don’t see that kind of longevity at many places anymore.

What is the best thing about working for Panasonic?I think my favorite thing is the diversity of people who work here. I collaborate with people from all around the globe. Everybody joins Panasonic with a different perspective and goal in mind, but at the end of the day, we’re all interested in bettering the business. What are Panasonic's plans going forward?Companies as large as Panasonic face the challenge of staying relevant to their customers, especially in the digital age, where customers' needs are constantly changing. One terrific quote from our founder is, “All corporations require constant improvement just to keep pace with the times.” Panasonic’s focus remains meeting the demands of our customers, and we will continue to evolve as a company in order to deliver the right product to our customers regardless of who those customers are. The company is also committed to becoming the innovation leader in green electronics by 2018.

What misconceptions do people have about Panasonic? I think people need to realize that we are much more than a TV company. I’ve noticed this is a perception that permeates a lot of markets, and so our challenge is to broaden this perception. The breadth of our products is almost overwhelming.

What should students know about Panasonic? A career at Panasonic means an opportunity to make a difference. This can be through engineering the next

MARCA ARMSTRONG ORIGINALLY came to Panasonic in search of a career with a multinational company and a technology brand. Today, Marca works with her marketing counterparts around the globe to promote Panasonic as a brand that delivers technology solutions that improve customer workflows.

What surprised you most when you first started?I spent my very first day on the job in Osaka, Japan, for a global marketing meeting. I think what really struck me was how big the company was – after seeing the headquarters and what felt like hundreds of Panasonic buildings, I realized I had joined an organization that has a very large global footprint.

What sets Panasonic apart from the competition?One of the most unique things about Panasonic is its narrative: I have never worked in a company where the foundational value of an organization drives the company in the way that it does at Panasonic. Our founder, Konosuke Matsushita, built the company with the mission of giving back to society through business. His vision from almost 100 years ago is very powerful in how the company operates today, and every manager can find a way to leverage his wisdom in their daily work. The other thing that sets Panasonic apart is the breadth of products – we make just about everything from batteries to projectors, from ventilation fans to solar panels. A lot of people don’t realize the variety of products that Panasonic manufactures.

What is Panasonic's company culture like?There’s a saying that one “bleeds Panasonic blue” –blue being Panasonic’s color–because people are so passionate about the brand and the company. In large part I believe the passion stems from the vision and

PANASONICwww.panasonic.comPanasonic Corp. of North America provides digital electronics products and services for consumer, business and industrial use. The principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corp. (NYSE: PC), it serves as the hub of North American branding, marketing, manufacturing, sales, service, and research and development operations. Committed to leading in green innovation, the company will relocate to a new, eco-efficient office tower adjacent to a mass transit hub in Newark, New Jersey in 2013. Number of employees: approximately 14,000 in North AmericaEmployees profile: Panasonic employees come from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds. We are looking for candidates with a global perspective, interest in technology and innovative ideas.Ways in: The company has an active internship program during the summer and throughout the year. For full-time employment opportunities, please visit our career website.Contact: www.panasonic.com/careers

ONCE UPON A TIME ... Panasonic’s founder, Konosuke Matsushita, was so well respected for his genius as an entrepreneur that in Japan he was widely known as “the god of business.” The company’s first product in 1918 was a duplex light socket.

Panasonic

new product, solving a customer issue, improving the company’s time to market, or in my case, developing greater awareness of our brand. •

text: katharine lynn photo: christopher gabello

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COURTNEY BRYANT, Position: Associate Brand Manager, Degree Deodorant. Education: Indiana University, Marketing, 2008.

Courtney Bryant turned her love of Dove products into a successful marketing career as an associate brand manager with Unilever

»IN MARKETING, YOU NEED TO RELY ON YOUR GUT INSTINCTS.«Are there any myths or misconceptions about Unilever?The biggest misconception is probably that decisions are based only on testing and analysis. Of course we do tons of research, but in marketing, you have to rely on your gut instinct, too. It’s not all process-oriented.

What’s the company culture like at Unilever?It’s an excellent culture – it’s centered on consumer focused marketing and has a 100 percent people-first culture. Everyone is passionate about Unilever’s brands and products, and constantly works toward delivering the best quality for our consumers.

What is your favorite campaign that you’ve worked on?Dove Deodorant’s “Fresh Spin” campaign – where Dove partnered with real-women female DJs to bring deodorant and body spray news – as well as tons of additional content – to its target consumers. I worked on it in its beginning stages and then rotated to Degree and watched from afar as the campaign came to life!

What’s your favorite Unilever product or service?I really love Dove products. Everything I own is Dove just because I believe in the mission and love the advertising. I also have a special affinity for it because it was the first brand I worked on. Now I work on Degree men’s clinical deodorants, and I have to admit that I sometimes use the men’s deodorant at the gym. It’s got great sweat protection!

What advice would you give to current students?Preparation is key. I knew the Unilever recruiter was coming to campus, so I did a lot of research and really understood the company. I talked to all Unilever recruiters and made sure to ask intelligent questions

WHEN MARKETING MAJOR Courtney Bryant realized she was interested in brand management, she began taking stock of the brands that were lining her bathroom shelves. She quickly noticed a common thread: She had a lot of Unilever products. So she started researching the company, and when a Unilever recruiter came to her college campus, she was ready to ask plenty of intelligent questions. She came on board as an assistant brand manager for Dove in 2008, and now is an associate brand manager for Degree deodorant.

How did you first become interested in brand management, and specifically in Unilever?I knew I would love brand management when I realized that it brought together the best of two worlds — managing your own business and working as part of a big company with great access to resources and intelligent people to learn from. My interest in Unilever began when I realized how many Unilever products I already owned.

What was it like to be a new hire at Unilever?It was great — from the time I first walked in the door I was very impressed by the energy there. I had interviewed at a lot of places with a more stereotypical office vibe – very formal, very hush-hush as you walk though the halls. Unilever had a buzz of excitement. It’s a very vibrant environment.

What role does collaboration play in your work life?The decisions we make about products are the result of tons of collaborative research. So many people get their hands on each innovation, that by the time it’s actually in market, it’s been endorsed by tons of people.

UNILEVERwww.unilever.comUnilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of fast-moving consumer goods with strong operations in 100+ countries and sales in 190. Our products are used over two billion times a day and our portfolio in the U.S. includes brands like Axe, Ben & Jerry's, Lever 2000, Popsicle, Q-tips, and Dove. Working to create a better future every day, we help people feel good, look good and get more out of life with brands and services that are good for them and good for others.Number of employees: more than 171,000 globally (more than 11,000 across North America)Employees profile: We recruit from some of the topschools across the United States. We offer career opportunities in the following areas: marketing, finance, sales, research and development, supply chain, information technology and human resources.Ways in: Unilever hires full-time employees, interns, and co-ops into a variety of entry-level positions across the United States and around the world.Contact: www.unileverusa.com/careers

ONCE UPON A TIME ... In a history that now crosses three centuries, our success has been influenced by the ma-jor events of the day - economic boom, depression, world wars, changing consumer lifestyles, and ad-vances in technology. And throughout, we've created products that help people get more out of life - cutting the time spent on household chores, improving nutri-tion, enabling people to enjoy food, and take care of their homes, their clothes, and themselves.

Unilever

about things I cared about getting answers to. I showed genuine interest and proved I had been willing to spend time researching the details. •

text: lindsay j. westley photo: rich green

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