Top 25 companies to work for: Millennials’ Choice
The 2016 Millennial Career Survey, presented by The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) lists the top organizations that millennials want to work at, and much to everyone’s surprise, Google didn’t get the top rank. This is an aberration from the normal as Google has consistently been the most sought-after company, owing to its aggressive compensation, work culture and the many benefits.
Topping the list was 3M, followed by Google at the second spot. Unsurprisingly, technology companies are the most popular, comprising of nine of the 25 in the list. This was followed by the hospital or health organisations, which were six in number. Several new organisations made it to the list this year. These include BuzzFeed (No. 7), Nike (No. 15), Universal Studios (No. 17), Netflix (No. 18), Boeing (No. 21) and Samsung (No. 25).
3M, the multibillion and multinational conglomerate, and the parent company of popular products like Post-It and Scotch-Brite, topped the list. Formerly known as Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company (1902–2002), 3M is based in Minnesota, USA. The organisation has over $30 billion in annual sales, and employs 88,000 people globally to produce over 55,000 products. “One of the great aspects of 3M is that we offer people the opportunity to develop work experiences in multiple businesses and geographies around the world and improve lives through science,” Marlene McGrath, senior vice president at 3M Human Resources said in a press release.
The 9th edition of the survey included the opinions of over 13,000 students and young professionals, aged between 15-32, in the fields of choices, employers, workplace environment, communications, educational goals and global issues of importance. The respondents chose from a list of 200 organizations. The survey, conducted and analysed by Hanover Research, consisted of 49 questions, lasted a period of three weeks in April, and has a 99% confidence level.
Even the leaders at NSHSS are admittedly surprised by 3M’s success. “They’ve made a strategic goal within their company to build their brand among these top millennials,” says NSHSS president James W. Lewis. “This is evidence that the efforts that they’re engaged in are paying off.”
“The survey findings yield unique insights into developing strategies for employers regarding generational differences in the workplace and for engaging the emerging talent pipeline,” said James W. Lewis, president of NSHSS. “Currently, the top career interests of this group are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), business and arts, entertainment and media. Millennials hope to find in the workplace fair treatment, corporate social responsibility and strong company benefits, which include flexible work schedules.”
The respondents reacted most favourably to the companies that they felt treat employees fairly (73.1%), and then by their perception of whether the company acts socially responsible. The report also states that 70% of the respondents stated that flexible work hours were the most prized aspect of work-life and compensation, as opposed to a 46%, who said salary was the most important.
The complete list is as follows:
- 3M
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Walt Disney Company
- Local hospital (write-in option)
- FBI
- BuzzFeed
- Apple, Inc.
- Central Intelligence Agency
- Amazon
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Health Care Services Corporation
- Mayo Clinic
- Microsoft
- Nike
- U.S. State Department
- Universal Studios
- Netflix
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
- The New York Times
- Boeing
- National Security Agency (NSA)
- Abercrombie & Fitch
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Samsung
The organisation, NSHSS, a for-profit national organisation set up in 2002, jointly by James W. Lewis and Claes Nobel, a member of the Swedish Nobel family, has been marred in several controversies regarding their mission and goals in the past. The organisation states that its mission is “to recognize academic excellence among high-achieving students from around the world and inspire them to reach their full potential.” The report, although uncovers trends in the USA, holds significance, because it points to the difference of perspective and opinion of a millennial, while choosing an employer.