Advice for Employers and Recruiters
Top schools to recruit interns and recent grads for gig roles
When you’re recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early career gig jobs, which are your favorite schools to recruit from and why? Here is what 11 thought leaders have to say.
- Loyola Marymount’s Real-World Focus
- Columbia’s Ambitious and Curious Graduates
- State Universities’ Determined Work Ethic
- UC Berkeley and UC San Diego’s Technical Talent
- Prioritizing Moxie Over Academic Prestige
- Liberal Arts Colleges’ Well-Rounded Graduates
- Generative AI Industry’s Broad Talent Spectrum
- Recruiting from Schools with Strong Programs
- Performance-Based Recruitment Approach
- Universities with Industry-Ready Graduates
- Low-Profile Universities’ Driven Students
Loyola Marymount’s Real-World Focus
In my experience, Loyola Marymount University is excellent for hiring aspiring entrepreneurs who are also very proactive in seeking gig jobs. I believe that many students eager to study entrepreneurship and take on gig roles often can’t begin their specialized studies until their junior or senior year because of general education requirements.
However, at Loyola Marymount University, students start learning how to build businesses from their first day. This college also focuses on real-world education, which is vital in this field. Students have the opportunity to join the Business Incubator, a semester-long course where they work in teams under an advisor to tackle the challenges of starting a business in a simulated setting.
Loyola Marymount University also organizes various events where students can showcase their ideas. One such event is the New Idea Pitch Competition, where students give their ideas in a brief, elevator-style pitch to judges. These graduates are hardworking and very willing to hustle, making the school an excellent source for recruiting these types of career seekers.
Precious Abacan, Marketing Director, Softlist
Columbia’s Ambitious and Curious Graduates
When recruiting students for internships or recent graduates for early-career gig jobs, Columbia University stands out as a favorite. Their students possess a unique blend of ambition and curiosity, which I witnessed firsthand during a campus career fair. I remember meeting Marly, a recent graduate brimming with innovative ideas.
She quickly grasped our global expansion strategy and offered insightful suggestions on improving our onboarding process for new markets. Her enthusiasm and critical thinking left a lasting impression, reinforcing why Columbia remains a top choice. Their rigorous curriculum and diverse student body consistently produce talent ready to tackle challenges on a global scale, making them an ideal fit for our company’s vision.
Lucas Botzen, Founder, Rivermate
State Universities’ Determined Work Ethic
Anyone from state universities—they are grounded and have an incredible work ethic.
In my experience, students from state universities often show determination and work ethic. They approach their tasks with enthusiasm and dedication, reflecting a serious attitude toward their work and responsibilities.
I can also say that these individuals typically exhibit a balance of ambition and humility, rarely displaying entitlement—which is crucial to me. This mix of qualities makes them adaptable and valuable in fast-paced work settings. Additionally, their motivation and hard work often result in a steep learning curve and significant contributions to projects, making them excellent choices for internships and entry-level positions.
David Rubie-Todd, Co-Founder and Marketing Head, Sticker It
UC Berkeley and UC San Diego’s Technical Talent
When recruiting students for internships or early-career gigs, two of my favorite schools to recruit from are the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, San Diego. Both universities consistently produce top-tier talent with strong technical backgrounds and innovative thinking.
Furthermore, their proximity to major tech hubs like Silicon Valley provides students with valuable networking opportunities and exposure to cutting-edge industry trends. Moreover, these universities offer strong engineering programs that align well with the skill sets required for positions at Advanced Motion Controls, making them ideal sources for recruiting future talent.
Rene Ymzon, Engineer and Marketing Manager, Advanced Motion Controls
Prioritizing Moxie Over Academic Prestige
For us, we’re looking to attract top talent oozing with passion, curiosity, and a voracious appetite to succeed, so their academic pedigree is not important. We harbor zero pretensions about favoring prestigious universities that breed brilliant but entitled graduates.
For our revolving crop of interns or early-career contractors, we prioritize moxie and drive over alma mater clout. Scrappy resourcefulness excites us way more than some fancy diploma mill.
We seek self-starters already living and breathing their zeal, equipped with a growling hunger to cut their teeth collaborating alongside industry vets. Academic credentials won’t earn you a co-sign, but a relentless entrepreneurial spirit and hunger to absorb knowledge certainly will.
Jason Smit, CEO, Contentellect
Liberal Arts Colleges’ Well-Rounded Graduates
My favorite schools to recruit from are often smaller liberal arts colleges, such as those found in the New England Small College Athletic Conference.
I find that students from these institutions are particularly well-rounded, possessing strong critical-thinking skills and the ability to approach problems creatively. These qualities are invaluable, especially in gig jobs where they may encounter a variety of challenges in short-term projects.
Furthermore, these students often demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, which are crucial for teamwork and client interactions in our industry.
Generative AI Industry’s Broad Talent Spectrum
From my perspective as a co-founder in the Generative AI industry, particularly in the context of recruiting students for early-career gig jobs, the focus shifts away from specific institutions towards a broader spectrum of talent acquisition.
In the realm of gig jobs, where the emphasis lies more on skill sets, creativity, and adaptability rather than traditional academic pedigree, the notion of favoring specific schools becomes less relevant. Our approach prioritizes tapping into diverse talent pools, irrespective of their alma mater, recognizing that the digital landscape offers unprecedented opportunities for individuals to showcase their capabilities and contribute meaningfully regardless of their educational background. With the proliferation of remote work and the democratization of access to learning resources, we see immense potential in empowering individuals to step outside their comfort zones, explore new paths, and leverage their skills in the burgeoning field of Generative AI.
By embracing this inclusive and forward-thinking approach to talent acquisition, we not only foster a culture of diversity and innovation within our company but also open doors for individuals to carve out their own unique career trajectories in alignment with the evolving dynamics of the modern workforce.
Josh Bluman, Co-Founder, Hoppy Copy
Recruiting from Schools with Strong Programs
Schools with strong programs in relevant fields and a history of producing qualified graduates are attractive for recruiting. This can include universities known for STEM programs for tech companies, business schools for finance firms, or institutions like the Boston Institute of Analytics with well-regarded design programs for creative agencies.
Additionally, schools with active career centers that connect students with internship and job opportunities can streamline the recruiting process.
Jinesh Vora, Digital Marketing Executive, Boston Institute of Analytics
Performance-Based Recruitment Approach
Usually, people tend to select students and graduates from specific colleges, but I believe that’s not the right way of doing things. In my opinion, students from any college or industry can achieve remarkable things.
Sometimes, students from prestigious universities like Harvard or MIT may get distracted, while students from smaller colleges can be highly intelligent. Therefore, I usually recruit based on an individual’s performance in a test or interview.
Jason Vaught, Director of Content, SmashBrand
Universities with Industry-Ready Graduates
When looking for interns or recent grads for gig work, I prefer to work with universities that have a track record of generating flexible and talented workers. Universities with a reputation for producing bright students with innovative and problem-solving skills include Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of Waterloo.
Their emphasis on industry connections and hands-on learning guarantees that graduates are ready to take on any professional role right away.
Aqsa Tabassam, PR and Brand Manager, RevenueGeeks
Low-Profile Universities’ Driven Students
Honestly, we usually prefer to recruit from low-profile universities and colleges since, based on our observations, students from these institutions tend to have the drive to succeed. We’ve found that they are typically less self-entitled and display a willingness to go beyond what is expected of them.
This motivation and humble attitude frequently result in commitment and achievement at work, bringing value to our team and making substantial contributions to our projects and objectives.
Tristan Harris, Demand Generation Senior Marketing Manager, Thrive Digital Marketing Agency
