How to Make New College Graduates Employable

[BCEagle91]

<br>

<p>Understand that the cost of hiring new employees has never been
higher. In addition to your wages, employers will pay for background
checks, payroll taxes, workers comp, insurance (other than
benefits), health insurance, training expenses, and administrative
costs (maintaining employee records, payroll prep fees,
etc.). Depending on the job, those costs typically run 30-40% above
your wages. Applicants judged as “risky” might cost more; so, you
want to present yourself as a low-risk/high-return worker.</p>

<br>

<p>You can add recruiting costs too.</p>

<p>There isn’t a lot that the employee can do about employer costs.</p>

<p>Employers want the best employee that will stick around and get the job done. Unfortunately they have no guarantees that employees won’t take the company’s training with them in a year. Employers take a defensive stance on employees because that’s their lowest risk. This is why networking works - another employee guarantees, with her reputation, that the employee is a good risk.</p>

<br>

<ol>
<li>Open a new spreadsheet. Save as “Project List”. 2. Head Column A
“Project Name”; Column B “Nature of Project”’ Column C “Issues
Faced”; Column D “Remedies”; Column E “Results”. In the rows, enter
the info under each column for anything you can think of having
done. This is what you use to prepare a resume and your interview
answers. Maintain it throughout your career.</li>
</ol>

<br>

<p>You can do this within your resume too. It’s standard career prep.</p>

<br>

<ol>
<li>Scrub any social media sites on which you participate.</li>
</ol>

<br>

<p>Or don’t use social media.</p>

<br>

<ol>
<li>Prepare a list of at least 3-5 names of easy to reach people that
WILL verify and confirm the info on the application, your resume,
and your interview. Type it up on a separate piece of paper from
your resume. Present it to a hiring authority as you end your
interview.</li>
</ol>

<br>

<p>The standard that I see is to include three professional references, preferably managers. How do you get three references without prior work and internships?</p>

<br>

<ol>
<li>Be on time for your interview. Dress appropriately for the job
which you are seeking. LEAVE THE SMARTPHONE IN YOUR CAR. There is no
call that you will receive more important than the job interview. If
you dare to peek at it during the job interview, you will be
automatically disqualified from any good company that I know.</li>
</ol>

<br>

<p>You could just turn it off too. There are a lot of jobs in the city where a car isn’t required and there are a lot of graduates that can’t afford vehicles.</p>

<br>

<ol>
<li>Thoroughly understand what the company does, how it makes money,
how you can help them do it and how you can get more quality entries
on your project list.</li>
</ol>

<br>

<p>I usually do a financial analysis for my kids on companies that they apply to and just give them a sheet of paper on their LOB, officers, history, geographic information, margins, etc. Most kids don’t have the background to understand some of those things though.</p>

<br>

<p>The mere fact that you’ve done those things puts you in the 99.9
percentile of applicants. You will find a job, keep it, and be a
target for recruiters like me.</p>

<br>

<p>I don’t think so. You need to have actual skills too.</p>

<p>I don’t really understand why people are talking about the things that they do or should do or about trying to stand out or to be the top candidate. We have millions of graduates with this problem. The issue is a social issue - not one of what an individual does.</p>

[fractalmstr]

<p>

Getting an engineering degree from an Ivy isn’t standing out?

</p>

<p>Not always, no. A degree from an Ivy can actually limit one’s employment options, believe it or not. This is due to the fact that employers might see a potential ego issue with the job candidate, and/or need for higher pay due to his/her “ivy status”. </p>

<p>Ideally, you want to be in the middle of the pack these days (in terms of college prestige), maybe upper-middle for maximum job opportunities. Employers realize that Ivy doesn’t always equate to maximum quality, especially when most college graduates can do the same job with less attitude and even pay.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<br>

<p>Not always, no. A degree from an Ivy can actually
limit one’s employment options, believe it or not.
This is due to the fact that employers might see a
potential ego issue with the job candidate, and/or
need for higher pay due to his/her “ivy status”. </p>

<br>

<p>I’ve read through a lot of job postings lately and many of the specifically ask for degrees from top schools. I didn’t run into any job postings looking for those with degrees from middling schools.</p>

<p>At any rate, the point being made was in standing out. Do you stand out more with a degree from a middling school or from a top school? We only hire from top schools where I work.</p>

<br>

<p>Ideally, you want to be in the middle of the pack
these days (in terms of college prestige), maybe
upper-middle for maximum job opportunities. Employers
realize that Ivy doesn’t always equate to maximum
quality, especially when most college graduates can do
the same job with less attitude and even pay. </p>

<br>

<p>I agree that a lot of students from a lot of schools can get the job done.</p>

<p>Basically this means that there aren’t enough jobs out there.</p>

<p>The societal issue is in why the jobs aren’t there and what we can do about it. If we can’t do anything about it, should we be encouraging so many to go to school?</p>

[fractalmstr]

<p>

**I’ve read through a lot of job postings lately and many of the specifically ask for degrees from top schools. **I didn’t run into any job postings looking for those with degrees from middling schools.

</p>

<p>I don’t believe that for one minute - show me any posting that specifically requires a degree from a “top school”. </p>

<p>While it’s true that some ‘ivory tower’ companies like Google, Facebook, etc. may hire heavily from elite schools, they do not make an elite diploma a requirement, nor do they state such a thing on their job positings.</p>

[MD_Mom_1]

<p>I have been looking at lots of engineering intern positions and there are references to top programs. I will post it if I see another one in the next day or so.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>“We thought we needed someone with a B.S. in Computer Science from a top university, over four years of experience writing clean and highly functional code, and an excellent facility with mathematics to help bring our innovative, cloud-based analytic software to market. You brought that and much more”</p>

<p>[Wanted:</a> Exceptional software engineer to help transform a global ind.](<a href=“http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/acc/3929103796.html]Wanted:”>http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/acc/3929103796.html)</p>

<p>"Requirements:

• MBA Degree from Harvard, MIT or other top university"</p>

<p>[Looking</a> for a Jr. Business Lecturer](<a href=“http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/edu/3924120779.html]Looking”>http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/edu/3924120779.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from a top university.”</p>

<p>[SAT</a> Prep Instructors - $25/hour](<a href=“http://providence.craigslist.org/edu/3924292946.html]SAT”>http://providence.craigslist.org/edu/3924292946.html)</p>

<p>"Our company is managed and our products are developed by individuals with demonstrated experience and success in the software industry who contribute technical and educational backgrounds from several of the top universities in the U.S. "</p>

<p>[Software</a> Sales](<a href=“http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sls/3875507712.html]Software”>http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/sls/3875507712.html)</p>

<p>“Recent college graduates with high GPAs from top schools who have the aptitude to learn new technologies and processes.”</p>

<p>[Join</a> One of Boston’s Best Places to Work! - Consulting Training](<a href=“http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bus/3928437464.html]Join”>http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/bus/3928437464.html)</p>

<p>"Must have degree in Business or Finance (Top schools) "</p>

<p>[Financial</a> Analyst - Real Estate](<a href=“http://providence.craigslist.org/acc/3840588814.html]Financial”>http://providence.craigslist.org/acc/3840588814.html)</p>

<p>“The ideal candidate should have a business background, preferably an MBA from a top school.”</p>

<p>[Graduate</a> Student Marketing Intern](<a href=“http://worcester.craigslist.org/mar/3866725631.html]Graduate”>http://worcester.craigslist.org/mar/3866725631.html)</p>

<p>“You must have extensive experience or have graduated with the appropriate degrees from a top college.”</p>

<p>[College</a> Counselor and Educational Psychologist](<a href=“http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/edu/3887464342.html]College”>http://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/edu/3887464342.html)</p>

<p>“A degree from a top college or post-graduate program preferred, All Ph.D. candidates or graduates welcome”</p>

<p>[LSAT</a> Teachers/Tutors with Manhattan Elite Prep - Stamford, CT](<a href=“http://newlondon.craigslist.org/edu/3888530335.html]LSAT”>http://newlondon.craigslist.org/edu/3888530335.html)</p>

<p>"We have a small and talented team of smart, creative, and fun engineers with degrees from Stanford, CMU, Harvard, Berkeley, Cornell, and other top schools. "</p>

<p>[Software</a> Engineer (multiple positions)](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/sof/3937533023.html]Software”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/sof/3937533023.html)</p>

<p>“college writing courses at a top school”</p>

<p>[Temporary</a> Support Staff for Palo Alto Non-Profit](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ofc/3925114547.html]Temporary”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ofc/3925114547.html)</p>

<p>“CS / EE degree from a top school”</p>

<p>[SENIOR</a> SOFTWARE ENGINEER (JAVA AGENT)](<a href=“http://stockton.craigslist.org/mar/3904541257.html]***SENIOR”>http://stockton.craigslist.org/mar/3904541257.html)</p>

<p>“High GPA from top college/university”</p>

<p>[SEO</a> Manager, Ebates](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mar/3897001125.html]SEO”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mar/3897001125.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from top university preferred”</p>

<p>[Entry</a> Level Junior Admin - Temp to Perm](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ofc/3927421707.html]Entry”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/ofc/3927421707.html)</p>

<p>"Bachelors Degree from top university, preferably in business; MBA highly desirable. "</p>

<p>[Director</a> of Business Development](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mar/3921405609.html]Director”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mar/3921405609.html)</p>

<p>“Graduate of (or currently attending) a top university, such as Stanford, Cal, UCLA”</p>

<p>[CUSTOMER</a> SUCCESS ASSOCIATE ($25/HOUR)](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mar/3900795650.html]CUSTOMER”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/mar/3900795650.html)</p>

<p>“BS/MS in Computer Science from a top university”</p>

<p>[Web</a> Application Engineer](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/sof/3897226519.html]Web”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/sof/3897226519.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelors Degree from a top university”</p>

<p>[PHP/</a> Wordpress Developer](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/sof/3882076146.html]PHP/”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/sof/3882076146.html)</p>

<p>"You will be in working in a brand new office space in SOMA and work with engineers from top universities (Stanford, MIT, Duke). "</p>

<p>[Backend</a> Engineer (PHP)](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/eng/3927568960.html]Backend”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/eng/3927568960.html)</p>

<p>"We come from diverse backgrounds and top universities with proven track records of success. "</p>

<p>[IT</a> Systems Administrator at Equilar, Inc.](<a href=“http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tch/3916384484.html]IT”>http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/tch/3916384484.html)</p>

<p>“<em>4 year degree from a top university”
“</em>Represents basic qualifications for this Entry Level Paralegal position. To be considered for this position you must at least meet the basic qualifications.”</p>

<p>[Entry</a> Level Paralegal – Recent College Grads!](<a href=“http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/lgl/3886681727.html]Entry”>http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/lgl/3886681727.html)</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from a top school REQUIRED.”</p>

<p>[Executive</a> Assistant to Team of MDs](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3937036266.html]Executive”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3937036266.html)</p>

<p>“seeks degree; MBA and top school a + with 2+ years diversified finance/economics with proven skills in the financial and statistical modeling/econometrics.”</p>

<p>[Revenue</a> Strategy Managers](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3932974230.html]Revenue”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3932974230.html)</p>

<p>“Strong academic record from a top school”</p>

<p>[Project</a> Manager at Elite Hedge Fund](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bus/3913165154.html]Project”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/bus/3913165154.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from a top school, GPA, SATs”</p>

<p>[Executive</a> Assistant to Team of Execs](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3891365425.html]Executive”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3891365425.html)</p>

<p>“A Bachelor’s degree from a top school (GPA, SATs*)”</p>

<p>[Personal</a> Assistant (finance backgrounds)](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3881275526.html]Personal”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3881275526.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from a top school”</p>

<p>[Office</a> Manager (finance)](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bus/3881234606.html]Office”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bus/3881234606.html)</p>

<p>“Prestigious hedge fund is seeking candidates out of a TOP SCHOOL with academic excellence.”</p>

<p>[Associates/Exec</a> Assist - Top Schools Hedge Fund](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3879791617.html]Associates/Exec”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3879791617.html)</p>

<p>“A Bachelor’s Degree from a top school”</p>

<p>[Legal</a> Administrative Assistant](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/lgl/3876406675.html]Legal”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/lgl/3876406675.html)</p>

<p>"Large NYC investment bank seeks bright college graduates (from top schools with at least a 3.3 overall GPA) to work in their Credit Middle Office. "</p>

<p>[Finance</a> Analyst](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3881683436.html]Finance”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/acc/3881683436.html)</p>

<p>"Recent graduates with Masters of Computer Science from top schools are encouraged to apply. "</p>

<p>[C++</a> Developer (Trading Software)](<a href=“http://longisland.craigslist.org/sof/3875068487.html]C++”>http://longisland.craigslist.org/sof/3875068487.html)</p>

<p>“Joining a team of intelligent PhDs/MS from top schools”</p>

<p>[Senior</a> Data Scientist](<a href=“http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sof/3855787570.html]Senior”>http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sof/3855787570.html)</p>

<p>“BA/BS Degree with strong academic track record from top university;”</p>

<p>[Assist</a> Head of US Division/Hedge Fund](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3937383934.html]Assist”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ofc/3937383934.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s degree from top university”</p>

<p>[Associate</a> Account Executive - Publisher Development](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sls/3931260175.html]Associate”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sls/3931260175.html)</p>

<p>“C.S. Degree from Top University.”</p>

<p>[Lead</a> Systems Engineer](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/3921536840.html]Lead”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/3921536840.html)</p>

<p>“Graduate from a top university with a high proficiency in excel”</p>

<p>[Entertainment</a> Mobile Ad Start-up - Acct Manager/Trafficker](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/mar/3896952909.html]Entertainment”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/mar/3896952909.html)</p>

<p>"Job Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from a top University "</p>

<p>[Sales</a> Representative](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sls/3878504923.html]Sales”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sls/3878504923.html)</p>

<p>“This is the ideal role for a software engineer with a business degree so if you are a recent graduate from a top university with these qualifications please contact us.”</p>

<p>[Software</a> Engineer / Project Manager](<a href=“http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/3876157497.html]Software”>http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/sof/3876157497.html)</p>

<p>"Successful candidates will have minimum, Master’s Degree in Computer Science or Mathematics or a hard science from a top university along with strong C++ numerical programming skills. "</p>

<p>[C++</a> Developer (Algorithms)](<a href=“http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sad/3932626574.html]C++”>http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sad/3932626574.html)</p>

<p>“Bachelor’s or advanced degree from a top university in a highly quantitative subject such as Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Statistics, or Mathematics.”</p>

<p>[Quantitative</a> Modeler (High Frequency Trading)](<a href=“http://longisland.craigslist.org/sof/3875044319.html]Quantitative”>http://longisland.craigslist.org/sof/3875044319.html)</p>

<p>" Relevant degree from a top university program"</p>

<p>[Sr</a>. Front End Engineer](<a href=“http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sof/3906971037.html]Sr”>http://newjersey.craigslist.org/sof/3906971037.html)</p>

<p>That should satisfy “any”.</p>

[furrydog]

<p>From the article…</p>

<br>

<blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p>As Mr. Fall said, “colleges can’t be either/or anymore — a trade school or a liberal arts college. We need skilled people with well-rounded backgrounds and the ability to think constructively.”</p>
</blockquote>
</blockquote>

<br>

<p>He did not say what he really had in mind.
“But most importantly - willing to work happily and loyally for $10.50 an hour for the rest of his/her career”.</p>

<p>I find most of the quotes in the article incredibly self-serving.
They quoted this Manpower HR guy about his clients complaining about the quality of candidates. Instead of just parroting the clients’ lines, perhaps the gentleman should dig a little deeper. Perhaps his clients are just too cheap to hire American kids?</p>

<p>I have been hiring NCG (new college grads) all these years and I certainly do not think kids these days are ill-prepared for work. Most of them are well prepared, respectful, and come with great attitude (especially since the last Great Recession). Do they need some training - yeah - so what. Everyone needs training during various stages of their career.</p>

<p>Lastly, my experience (engineering) is that your Alma Mater does matter. For me, two things are important for a new college grad - your school and your GPA. If you go to a good school, you get a pass on my first criterion. Also, you got a semi-pass on your GPA if it is not stellar. However, if you go to a second-tier school (I use this term loosely), then you need to bring your A-game to the interview.</p>

[MD_Mom_1]

<p>BCeagle91 made his point. No need for me to add anything. ;)</p>

[Shrinkrap]

<p>So it’s all over then. Little hope for the rest of us. Not a good message. :-{</p>

<p>My D started a position at Americorp today.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>There’s always hope. But it feels like things are getting harder as time goes by and that’s discouraging. Everyone (parents, students) needs to come up with a plan and try to execute on it. That’s what we are doing. The thing that I worry about is that executing a plan takes time and things will be even harder down the road. I really hope that that’s not the case but that’s the trend that I see.</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>“The jobless nature of the recovery is particularly unsettling. In June, the government’s Household Survey reported that since the start of the year, the number of people with jobs increased by 753,000—but there are jobs and then there are “jobs.” No fewer than 557,000 of these positions were only part-time. The survey also reported that in June full-time jobs declined by 240,000, while part-time jobs soared by 360,000 and have now reached an all-time high of 28,059,000—three million more part-time positions than when the recession began at the end of 2007.”</p>

<p>“Even the federal government payroll is turning to part-timers: In June 2012, 58,000 federal workers were part-timers. This year it’s 148,000, and we still don’t know how the budget sequester will play out, for many agencies have resorted to furloughs rather than layoffs.”</p>

<p>[Mortimer</a> Zuckerman: A Jobless Recovery Is a Phony Recovery - WSJ.com](<a href=“Mortimer Zuckerman: A Jobless Recovery Is a Phony Recovery - WSJ”>Mortimer Zuckerman: A Jobless Recovery Is a Phony Recovery - WSJ)</p>

<p>If the link doesn’t work, copy the title and do a google search on it.</p>

[fractalmstr]

<p>BCEagle, I’m in engineering, and even the prestigious companies don’t list such ridiculous job postings. It’s one thing for a company to recruit high talent (which is good), but having a requirement that states candidates must have graduated from top schools is just silly. Who are these companies anyway? I’ve never even heard of any of them… </p>

<p>Furthermore, who in their right mind would want to work for a company that had such a snobby hiring requirement? And what do you do about the top performer in high school that just happened to go to a second tier school because he liked the school better, or perhaps got rejected from a top school for some irrelevant reason? These kids are immediately disqualified, and for what? Because they didn’t get in with ‘the elites’? Please…</p>

[BCEagle91]

<br>

<p>I’m in engineering, and even the prestigious companies don’t list such</p>

<br>

<p>I work in a prestigious engineering company and we have this requirement. I’ve seen our job postings and they go along the lines of a BS from a top school or a BS + 1-3 years of experience. It is very, very hard to get hired out of school at our company if you’re not from a top school or from a top department that we recruit from that isn’t a top school.</p>

<br>

<p>Who are these companies anyway? I’ve never even heard of any of them… </p>

<br>

<p>You’ve never done company research? Take one of them and do your own financial analysis.</p>

<br>

<p>Furthermore, who in their right mind would want to work for
a company that had such a snobby hiring requirement?</p>

<br>

<p>Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.</p>

[ThisIsMichigan]

<p>Going to a top school helps. </p>

<p>I help set up info sessions at my school for some big companies. Some have said they don’t even do career fairs any more and just visit a handful of schools.</p>

[furrydog]

<p>Just curious, BCEagle, what is considered a good engineering schools?
MIT, Stanford, Cal, UIUC, Ga Tech, Michigan, Cal Tech, Harvey Mudd, et al?
Or Just MIT/Stanford/Cal Tech.</p>

<p>For me top 50 will do. :o)</p>

[BCEagle91]

<p>I imagine that varies by employer and region. Some employers have lists. The request might leave it up to the applicant too. Someone that graduated from third-tier-u might not apply to a job posting that requires graduates from top schools.</p>

[Momofbassist]

<p>Top schools don’t always mean what they mean on College Confidential. As the Mom of a recent grad, who decided to go to grad school, we did some research with friends who are in executive positions at some tech companies in our area. One said his company likes to hire from RPI and Clarkson which are good regional schools but not MIT. Another likes hiring grads from Ohio state and other top ten schools “division one” schools. Hiring mangers tend to go where they have had successful outcomes with new hires in the past. Try networking through alumni of your college even if it is a “third tier” school. One friend from a local tech company said to not be afraid to send in resumes even if the job asked for 1-3 years experience. He also stated that it takes about 4 months to go through the whole hiring process for new grads.</p>

[maikai]

<p>Momofbassist,</p>

<p>I agree with you. “Top” schools in industry are not the “top schools” thought of here. Also, this regional versus national poo has got to go as well. All schools are regional. A student of any school is much more likely to find a good job within several hundred miles of their alma mater. The exception are those schools out in the middle of nowhere. Of course their students need to spread out over the nation, but don’t be confused into thinking they have some sort of superior “national appeal.” Their placement stats simply do not support any such thing. </p>

<p>If a student is attending a decently selective engineering school, they will have as great a shot at any job as anyone else. We’re not stupid. Even if I don’t know of a school, I can look it up and see what kind of grades were required to get them into it. Then I can gauge their GPA, project experience, interns/CoOps, etc… And BTW, I care MUCH MORE about the later than the school they came from.</p>

<p>The only companies I am aware of that require true “household name” diplomas are small engineering consulting firms. Part of their pitch is the pedigree of their talent. They need college names that EVERYONE has heard of. The larger firms can pick from a wider pool of experience/expertise, and use life achievements/patents/papers/etc… to build pedigree. </p>

<p>BTW, I don’t have much respect for those smaller “diplomas as window dressing” consulting firms. Typically, their people don’t have as much “in the trenches” design experience and rarely implement what they propose. Too often their work is fatally flawed because of it. In the industry they are considered “sea gulls.” They fly in like they own the place, crap all over, and fly back out before anyone realizes the magnitude of the mess they left behind.</p>

<p>It should be a HUGE red flag if a company has all, or mostly, “household name” types. It means they are looking past true professional achievement in favor of a recognizable alma mater. Don’t just walk, but RUN, away from such places.</p>

[DontPanic1]

<p>I totally agree that even ‘top’ employers hire locally. I work for one of the most well-known corporations in the world, with a big presence in our midwest city. Most of the people I’ve worked with over the years either went to college in this region or grew up here and had gone away to college. In either case, they were definitely top students at whatever their school was. (as for ‘top schools’, I think any school around here that even offers engineering majors at all is considered ‘top’ - LOL).</p>