Best Places to Launch a Career
2006 Rankings

Determining which employers are best for entry-level workers is no easy task. To find out, BusinessWeek used a three-part methodology. First, we surveyed career services directors at leading U.S. schools to learn which employers were tops on their list. We then asked those employers to complete a survey seeking information on hiring, pay, benefits, and training programs, which we then compared with others in the same industry. Finally, we obtained from Universum Communications, a Philadelphia-based research firm, the results of its 2006 survey of 37,000 U.S. undergraduates, who were asked to identify their five most desirable employers.
The employer survey counts for 50% of the final ranking, while the career services and student surveys count for 25% each.

Click column heading once to reorder from highest to lowest. Click twice to reorder from lowest to highest.

BW 2006 Rank	Employer (linked to profile)	Industry	2005 Entry Level Hires	Top Degree for Entry Level Hires	Most Desirable Trait	Employer Survey Rank	Career Services Rank	Student Survey Rank	Average Pay	Management Training Program	First Promotion Eligibility
1	Walt Disney (4)	Entertainment	NA	NA	Communication skills	5	36	1	NA	No	Depends on performance
Disney rose to No. 1 on its reputation with students. Cynics need not apply: culture stresses creativity, optimism and decency.
2	Lockheed Martin	Manufacturing	3983	Engineering	College major	4	5	5	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	Two years or less
Offers leadership programs in communications, engineering, finance, human resources, information systems, and operations.
3	Deloitte & Touche USA LLP (5)	Accounting	3367	Business	Communication skills	21	2	7	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	Two years or more
One out of 4 partners has 20+ years with the firm. One-third of experienced hires are 'boomerangs' who have left and returned.
4	Goldman, Sachs & Co.	Financial Services	615	Business	College GPA	9	4	7	$55,000 and above	Yes	One-year anniversary
Goldman alums include Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., NYSE Chairman John Thain, and "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer.
5	Enterprise Rent-A-Car	Transportation	NA	Business	Work experience	24	1	36	Less than $35,000	Yes	Within one year
Management training program amounts to an "MBA crash course" for executive wannabes. New hires get to run their own business.
6	U.S. Department of State	Government	NA	Other	Judgment (11)	11	19	3	$45,000-$49,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Training to be a Foreign Service Officer takes entry-level hires from classrooms to simulated jail cells to their first foreign postings.
7	Raytheon	Manufacturing	1104	Engineering	College major	1	27	19	$55,000 and above	Yes	One-year anniversary
Once you're in, you're in--43% of top executives have been with the company 20 years or more.
8	General Electric	Manufacturing	826	Engineering	College major	17	7	9	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	Two years or more
Entry-level hires in the training programs get to experience GE's legendary Crotonville training facility.
9	JPMorgan Investment Bank (6)	Financial Services	249	Liberal Arts	NA	13	8	11	$55,000 and above	Yes	Two years or more
A new partnership with Teach for America allows grads to complete both programs back to back.
10	Abbott Laboratories	Pharmaceuticals	1550	Other	Leadership skills	7	12	16	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Company offers on-site fitness centers at many U.S. locations and recreation opportunities through a "sports and activities" program.
11	Verizon Communications	Telecommunications	18535	Other	Leadership skills	2	33	27	$35,000 to $39,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Verizon Wireless recently launched a retail training program where participants work in as many as three locations over two years.
12	Ernst & Young	Accounting	2800	Business	College major	31	3	5	$50,000 to $54,999	No	One-year anniversary
In 2005, E&Y instituted a permanent four-day weekend for Labor Day, July 4th, and Memorial Day.
13	Google	Technology	NA	Engineering	NA	27	20	2	NA	NA	NA
Free gourmet lunches, an on-site masseuse, and the freedom to spend one day a week on your own project. What's not to love?
14	National Instruments	Technology	131	Engineering	College major	3	16	41	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	Varies
NI puts its money where its mouth is, spending over $30K annually to train each participant in its Engineering Leadership Program.
15	KPMG LLP	Accounting	5200	Business	College major	23	6	12	$45,000 to $49,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Its allotment of 25 paid days off for entry level professionals is one of the most generous of all the companies in the ranking.
16	L'Oreal	Consumer Goods	59	Business	Leadership skills	10	41	10	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	After training program
Rising entry-level marketing stars are put through a fast-paced training program that lasts between 18 months and 2 years.
17	Bain & Co.	Consulting	142	Liberal Arts	Analytical skills	6	20	23	$55,000 and above	Yes	Two years or more
Bain is on a hiring binge. Entry level hiring is up more than 20% over 2005--and the year's only half over.
18	Merck & Co.	Pharmaceuticals	270	Liberal Arts	College major	7	41	13	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Every entry level hire who goes through the manangement training program gets a permanent position.
19	Ameriprise Financial (7)	Financial Services	992	NA	NA	16	16	17	$35,000 to $39,999	Yes	Typically one year
This American Express spin-off increased entry level hiring from 799 in 2004 to 992 in 2005.
20	Accenture	Consulting	1536	Business	Analytical skills	20	10	20	$50,000 to $54,999	No	Depends on performance
Tired of the grind? Accenture lets employees take sabbaticals--at half pay--to do consulting work for non-profits.
21	Pepsi Bottling Group	Consumer Goods	124	Business	Work ethic	12	39	14	$45,000 to $49,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
This could be you: 7 top execs launched their own careers in Pepsi's entry-level training program.
22	Lehman Brothers	Financial Services	400	Liberal Arts	Leadership skills	14	25	23	$55,000 and above	Yes	One-year anniversary
The financial services giant gives entry-level hires something to look forward to--employees own about 30% of company shares.
23	Wells Fargo & Co.	Financial Services	219	Business	Analytical skills	22	9	27	$55,000 and above	Yes	One-year anniversary
Management training participants meet at San Francisco HQ for 2 days of events that include meetings with senior execs.
24	UPS	Transportation	3489	Business	Leadership skills	18	16	27	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	Less than 6 months
Part-timers at UPS receive comprehensive medical benefits just like full-time employees.
25	Vanguard	Financial Services	1220	Other	Communication skills	15	39	32	NA	Yes	One-year anniversary (13)
Four extensive rotational training and development programs range from 12 to 24 months in length with 3 to 6 rotations.
26	AT&T	Telecommunications	206	Liberal Arts	College major	19	32	30	NA	Yes	18 months
Some salaried workers are eligible for overtime, and health care benefits--for employees, not dependents--are free.
27	Eli Lilly and Co.	Pharmaceuticals	294	NA	College GPA	25	25	18	$55,000 and above	No	One-year anniversary
Entry-level hiring was down 33% in 2005, but has the best-paying entry-level jobs among Big Pharma companies in the ranking.
28	MTV Networks (8)	Entertainment	NA	NA	NA	26	41	38	NA	NA	NA
Internships are key to getting a foot in the door at MTV, which also includes channels like Comedy Central & Nickelodeon.
29	Philip Morris USA	Consumer Goods	148	Other	Leadership skills	28	20	30	$50,000-$54999	No	Depends on performance
The nation's largest tobacco company offers on-site fitness facilities at some locations--and even concierge services.
30	Ferguson Enterprises	Manufacturing	1082	Business	Work ethic	32	14	36	$35,000 to $39,999	Yes	6-18 months
The nation's largest wholesale distributor of plumbing supplies gives new hires the ultimate in flexibilty: facilities in every state.
31	BP America	Energy	263	Engineering	College major	30	41	26	$50,000 to $54,999	No	Two years or more
New entry-level hires get an experienced mentor plus a "buddy" to help them adapt to their new work environment.
32	U.S. Central Intelligence Agency	Government	NA	NA	College major	46	27	4	NA	No	Varies
The government agency recruits prospective employees as early as high school with its Undergraduate Scholarship Program.
33	Federated Department Stores (9)	Consumer Goods	536	Business	Analytical skills	35	11	34	$35,000 to $39,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
The parent company of Macy's and Bloomingdale's has an extensive careers site featuring jobs in corporate and retail.
34	Grant Thornton	Accounting	685	Business	Leadership skills	29	41	38	$45,000 to $49,999	Yes	Two years or more
More than 4 out of 5 interns become full-time associates at Grant Thornton, the only non-Big Four accounting firm on our list.
35	SunTrust Banks	Financial Services	138	Business	Analytical skills	34	20	41	$45,000 to $49,999	Yes	After training program
As part of their training, many new entry-level hires participate in a simulation that requires preparing a deal from start to finish.
36	Shell Oil	Energy	176	Engineering	Leadership skills	37	20	20	$55,000 and above	Yes	Two years or more
More than just an energy giant, Shell now uses its renewable energy initiatives as a recruiting tool with new college grads.
37	The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies	Financial Services	3567	Business	Communication skills	33	30	41	$35,000 to $39,999	No	6 months
Nearly 3 out of 4 employees are 40 or younger, and women outnumber men 54% to 46%.
38	Peace Corps	Nonprofit	4055	Liberal Arts	NA	41	12	41	Less than $35,000	Yes	NA
Offers returning volunteers job placement assistance and $6,000 to aid in making the transition.
39	U.S. Internal Revenue Service	Government	1322	Business	College major	39	36	20	$35,000 to $39,999	No	One-year anniversary
The federal agency that everyone loves to hate has one of the best 3- and 5-year retention rates around.
40	Booz Allen Hamilton	Consulting	424	Other	References	40	30	32	$40,000 to $44,999	No	Based on competency
Do volunteer work and the company will make a "volunteer service grant' to the organization.
41	U.S. National Aeronautics & Space Administration	Government	29	NA	College major	36	41	35	$45,000 to $49,999	NA	One-year anniversary
You may not get to fly the space shuttle, but the entry-level jobs are among the highest paid among federal agencies in our ranking.
42	CapGemini	Consulting	NA	Business and Engineering	Analytical skills	38	36	38	$55,000 and above	No	Two years or more
Company is guided by seven core values that include "boldness," "freedom," and "fun."
43	Teach for America	Nonprofit	2173	Liberal Arts	Leadership skills	44	15	41	$35,000 to $39,999	NA	One-year anniversary
Its army of nearly 4,400 teachers will reach nearly 375,000 students this year. It hopes to double in size by 2010.
44	Kraft Foods	Consumer Goods	NA	NA	College major	43	41	23	$45,000 to $49,999	No	18 months
The maker of Miracle Whip, Jello, and A1 Steak Sauce offers in-house fitness centers and dry cleaning for employees.
45	Northwestern Mutual	Financial Services	NA	Business	Entrepreneurial spirit	42	27	41	$40,000 to $44,999	Yes	Depends on performance
As independent contractors paid on commission, the sky's the limit for entry-level hires. Top ten earners averaged $86K in 2005.
46	Southwest Airlines	Transportation	1423	NA	Fun-loving attitude	45	35	15	Less than $35,000	No	One-year anniversary
"LUV" isn't just a ticker symbol at Southwest--the airline offers employees free flights when seats are available.
47	Kohl's Department Stores	Consumer Goods	129	NA	Leadership skills	47	33	41	$40,000 to $44,999	No	Two years or more
Kohl's, one of the fastest growing retailers in America, is probably in a suburb near you.
48	Comptroller of the Currency	Government	154	Business	College major	48	NA	NA	$40,000 to $44,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
Flex time policy allows employees to take every second Friday off by working 9-hour days.
49	Exelon	Energy	67	Engineering	College GPA	49	NA	NA	$50,000 to $54,999	Yes	One-year anniversary
This regional energy company, with operations in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Texas, boasts a strong commitment to diversity.
50	Progress Energy	Energy	310	Engineering	Analytical skills	50	NA	NA	$35,000 to $39,999	No	One-year anniversary
For some positions, a pre-employment test is required If you want to work for this southern energy supplier.
51	U.S. Patent & Trademark	Government	1249	Engineering	College major	51	NA	NA	$55,000 and above	Yes	6 months
Eight-month Patent Training Academy teaches new recruits the ins and outs of patent examination.
52	Protiviti	Consulting	405	Business	College major	52	NA	NA	$50,000 to $54,999	No	Two years or more
Landing a summer job at this 4-year-old intern audit and risk management company can lead to a permanent position.
53	Navigant Consulting	Consulting	110	Business	Analytical skills	53	NA	NA	$50,000 to $54,999	No	One-year anniversary
This small but growing company employs entry-level consultants for number crunching tasks to help solve tough business problems.
54	C.H. Robinson	Transportation	1535	Business	Communication skills	54	NA	NA	Less than $35,000	No	One-year anniversary
With 4.4 million shipments last year, the transportation company says it's always looking for new recruits.
55	BearingPoint	Consulting	1811	Business	College major	55	NA	NA	$45,000 to $49,999	No	One-year anniversary
Every new hire gets a mentor who knows his way to the top: a managing director of the firm.

Note: All data is self-reported by employers.
(1) Comparison group for employer survey.
(2) Data provided by Universum Communications.
(3) Only training programs lasting one year or more, including analyst programs at Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Investment Bank, Lehman Brothers, and SunTrust Bank.
(4) Career services survey rank also reflects respondents who identified ESPN as a top employer for entry-level hires.
(5) Career services survey rank also reflects respondents who identified Deloitte Consulting as a top employer for entry-level hires.
(6) Career services survey rank reflects respondents who identified JPMorgan Chase as a top employer for entry-level hires.
(7) Student survey data is for American Express, which spun off Ameriprise in October 2005. No student survey data is available for Ameriprise.
(8) Student survey data is for parent company, Viacom. No student survey data is available for MTV Networks.
(9) Career services survey rank reflects respondents who also identified MacyÕs as a top employer for entry-level hires.
(10) Includes only Foreign Service Officer, Foreign Service Specialist, and Civil Service hires.
(11) For Foreign Service Officer candidates only.
(12) Includes entry level hires with science and computer science degrees.
(13) For client relationship associates, six months.
(14) Includes hires with computer science degrees.
(15) Entry-level hires with technical degrees.
(16) Independent contractors affiliated with branch offices.