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20 Great Employers for College Graduates  
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Tags: college, graduates, jobs, careers, money, finance, companies

With graduation right around the corner for college seniors across the nation, the first question in most graduates' minds will be, "What now?" Fortune Magazine compiled a list of the top 20 employers for new college graduates.

1.	Lehman Brothers As a place where money is abundant, Wall Street is a popular destination for graduates. Lehman Brothers hired 530 college graduaes last year and analysts recieved an average starting salary of $60,000. Additionally, 90% of new hires are mentored and working with the company offers travel opportunities with offices in London, Paris and Milan, among others.
2.	Electronic Arts Not only are employees given five to ten free games each year, they also have an option to purchase heavily discounted games and receive a $1000 coupon off a game console. Also, the average entry-level hire receives a starting salary of $60,000. Electronic Arts also offers an on-site gym, restricted stock grants and a free DVD library. Downside: They hired only 200 of 5,000 college graduates that applied.
3.	Pricewaterhouse Coopers This firm hired 4,000 college graduates in the last year alone with an average starting salary of $50,000 and, with good performance, all new hires are promoted witin three years.
4.	Randstand This global staffing and human resource company hires college graduates of all majors. After 30 days working for the company, all new hires are given health benefits and a 401(k) plan. And after 90 days, they get 18 days of paid time off.
5.	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory A great place for college graduates with a science degree that don't want to go to graduate school. Recent grads with a bachelor's degree in physics, nuclear engineering, or chemistry are considered for entry-level science and engineer positions with starting salaries in the neighborhood of $45,000.
6.	Rockwell Collins All employees (including new hires) at this Cedar Rapids communications, aviation and electronics engineering company are able to receive 100% tuition reimbursement as well as cockpit and flight-training classes. New hires receive nearly five weeks of paid time off, including 15 vacation days, six national holidays, and an eight-day winter break. Locations include Dallas, Washington D.C., London, Toulouse and Heidelberg.
7.	Teach for America This nonprofit trains new graduates who don't have any previous teaching experience and places them in troubled and low-income school districts around the country. Since it began in 1990, more than 14,000 college graduates have completed the program.
8.	Qualcomm Last year, 35,000 recent college grads vied for approximately 300 jobs at this telecom company where starting salaries averaged more than $60,000. New hires are given 22 vacation days in the first year, stock options, and a rich 401(k) plan.
9.	Key Bank Last year it hired 58 new college grads to work at its Cleveland headquarters and paid them an average starting salary of $45,000. The first year includes rotational training between different businesses, helping to build the potential to transfer to other cities around the country, including Dallas, Boston, Atlanta, and New York
10.	Northrop Grumman A leadership training program and networking events are offered to new grads. An average starting salary of more than $50,000 per year and full tuition reimbursement helped lure 3,000 applicants last year. More than half of the new hires in the past five years have been minorities.
11.	Intel Intel offers tuition reimbursement for outside studies and an eight-week sabbatical is available for every seven years of service. All employees are eligible for cash bonuses, profit sharing, a stock plan that lets them buy company stock at a 15% discount, and the opportunity to work around the world at any of its 48 locations
12.	Capital One Salaries for new graduates start at $53,000 per year along with a competitive bonus and benefits package. New hires are given three weeks' vacation and 10 company holidays, plus they have the option to purchase an additional week off. Associates are encourged to manage their work and personal life with flexible schedules.
13.	Microsoft A career at Microsoft will prove inticing for college graduates looking for a youthful work environment, an average starting salary of $75,000, full medical coverage with no deductible, signing bonuses, options grants, and 401(k) matching.
14.	Stockamp & Associates This healthcare-consulting firm offers extensive weekly travel to client sites. A flexible work schedule allows consultants to work from home on three Fridays a month and new hires are given 20 days of vacation in the first year. Also, 61% of the new college grads they've hired in the past five years are women.
15.	Progressive Insurance Last year, 400 new college grads were hired by this insurer. Jobs can be tailored to meet individual interests and there is a business casual dress code. And when you can't get away from the office, you can take advantages of conveniences like onsite health care, photo development, and dry cleaning, to name just a few.
16.	Sprint Nextel In addition to full medical benefits, the company also offers a wellness program and performance-based cash incentives. New hires receive 15 days of paid time off in the first year in addition to seven company holidays. And of course there's the obvious perk of free phone plans for employees and discounted plans for family and friends.
17.	Citigroup, global banking division More than 3,000 new college grads from many different fields - and at least a 3.5 GPA vied for 175 slots at this giant's global banking division in North America. New hires can expect to begin their employment with a six-week accounting and finance training program.
18.	Hyatt Hotels The hotel chain hires roughly 350 new college grads each year, placing them into five-month training programs that fit their job area. A corporate management trainee starts with an average salary of $36,000, depending on location and responsibilities.
19.	CDW This IT product retailer and services provider gives new hires seven weeks of paid training and full benefits. In addition to an average $40,000 starting salary, new hires are given a 401(k) and stock options, profit sharing, and of course an employee discount that helps save on computers, digital cameras, and other gadgets.
20.	L'Oréal USA New college grads are entered into a rotational training program that gives them the hands-on experience of working in sales, marketing, management, and finance. An added perk: Employees are able to shop for discounted makeup and other products at an on-site company store.

Lister: vante85
Source: CNN Money

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