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25 Employers Hiring the Class of 2009 | Careers

As graduation nears and the economy remains in a bad state, college graduates are faced with one of the most competitive job marketsin years. It's important to realize, however, that although employers are proceeding with caution, many of them are still hiring.

If you're a recent college graduate looking for work, here are 25 companies who are hiring new graduates this year*:

1. Allstate
Industry: Insurance
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Claims adjuster trainee; financial analyst; investment analyst; actuarial assistant; application developer (IT), business analyst (IT)
Candidate qualities: General requirements include excellent written and verbal communication; organizational skills; strong computer skills; and ability to manage relationships in a fast-paced environment while demonstrating persistence and problem-solving skills. Educational requirements vary based on position.

2. ARCADIS
Industry: Engineering
Estimated new graduate hires: 30-40
Open positions: Geologists, environmental scientists, engineers (civil, geological, geotechnical and transportation)
Candidate qualities: Internship experience in related engineering and science fields; knowledge of field based on experience and degree program; excellent verbal and writing skills; and demonstrated leadership on academic projects, honor societies and extracurricular activities.

3. Cbeyond
Industry:
Technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Sales associates
Candidate qualities: Energetic, entrepreneurial-minded professionals with outstanding interpersonal skills, a strong competitive attitude, excellent written and verbal communications skills, self motivation, exceptional work ethic and interest in management opportunities.

4. DISH Network
Industry: Television Entertainment Provider
Estimated new graduate hires: 40-70
Open positions: Various
Candidate qualities: Candidates that possess intelligence, energy and a need to achieve. Looking for those that can bring bright ideas and a unique perspective to the organization and customers and recognize them with greater responsibility, faster advancement, higher visibility and more rewards.

5. GEICO
Industry: Insurance and financial services
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Business operations and IT management; supervisory leadership programs; management trainees; liability claims representatives; auto damage trainees; sales and service representatives; actuarial assistants; analysts; IT programmers, Web developers and systems analysts
Candidate qualities: Must have good grades; leadership potential; strong communication and computer skills; analytical and problem-solving skills; customer focus; looking for a career, not just a job. Business, liberal arts, computer science and math majors are encouraged.

6. GMAC
Industry: Finance and banking
Estimated new graduate hires:
40-50 graduates to start in 2010 (recruiting on campuses this fall 2009)
Open positions: Finance, risk, treasury, audit and IT jobs
Candidate qualities: High performers who take initiative, are flexible and adaptable to change. Applicants must be ethical, demonstrate leadership, achieve results, be a strategic thinker, have technical competence and embrace diversity.

7. Harris Corporation
Industry: Communications and information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 170
Open positions: Engineering (software, mechanical, electrical, network); geospatial analysis; supply chain and procurement; accounting and finance
Candidate qualities: Confident students with good time-management, discipline and effective communication skills. New college grads must come from a regionally accredited institution and meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.8.

8. Kaplan Higher Education
Industry: Education
Estimated new graduate hires: 250
Open positions: Corporate, operations and ground campus positions in marketing, finance, sales and Human Resources
Candidate qualities: Motivated applicants who are driven and high-performance oriented.

9. The Kroger Company
Industry:
Grocery and retail
Estimated new graduate hires: 800
Open positions: Information systems, engineering and corporate audit retail, store management development program and career training program in manufacturing
Candidate qualities: Well-rounded individuals who show excellence in their fields of studies. Candidates must be results-oriented; possess good verbal and written communication skills; capable of build trusting relationships with other associates and customers; and able to understand and adapt to the needs of the customers. 

10. Maxim Healthcare Services
Industry:
Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 500
Open positions: Entry-level sales recruiters
Candidate qualities: Highly-energetic, sales-minded individuals who are hungry for opportunity. Candidates should be interested in taking the next step and growing with the organization through hard work, dedication and determination.

11. Perot Systems
Industry: Information technology
Estimated new graduate hires: 50
Open positions: Business analyst, project coordinator, desk side support technician, revenue cycle representative
Candidate qualities: Candidates must possess company values and principles including integrity, personal accountability, teamwork and a passion for excellence. General requirements include excellent communication skills, strong problem solving and analytical skills, a proven track record of success and a strong work ethic. Previous health care and/or IT experience is a plus.

12. Quest Diagnostics
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 20-30
Open positions: Finance, Human Resources, IT, sales, marketing and operations
Candidate qualities: Strong educational background, desire and ability to learn, and a drive for results. Individuals must be willing to take on responsibility and accountability for his/her work and be able to work independently in a fast-paced changing environment.

13. Rite Aid Corporation
Industry: Retail pharmacy
Estimated new graduate hires: 250-350
Open positions: Entry-level management trainees; store management
Candidate qualities: Graduates who are passionate about providing superior customer service and demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit. Must possess general leadership qualities, a high degree of integrity, accountability and the ability to effectively communicate personal vision with your team. All academic majors will be considered.

14. Robert Bosch, LLC
Industry:
Technology and services
Estimated new graduate hires: 20
Open positions: Professional development training (bachelor's level candidates) and junior management program (master's level candidates)
Candidate qualities: General requirements include a bachelor's or master's degree completed within last 36 months in electrical or mechanical engineering, finance, accounting, Human Resources, marketing/technical sales, or supply chain. Maximum of three years full-time work experience or less, excellent verbal and written communication skills, geographically mobile,  minimum 3.0 - 3.2 cumulative GPA, and authorization to work in the U.S.

15. Ryder System, Inc.
Industry: Transportation
Estimated new graduate hires: 300
Open positions: Customer logistics specialist; logistics engineer; rental management trainee
Candidate qualities: General requirements include Microsoft Office knowledge, and strong communication, presentation, analytical and multi-tasking skills. Must be a goal-oriented, results-driven, assertive and self-motivated personality with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, team environment.

16. Sabre Holdings
Industry:
Information technology
Estimated number of new hires: 8
Open positions: Programmers, developers, marketing, business operations (finance)
Candidate qualities: Undergraduates in their junior or senior year, or seniors of graduate program. Must have previous work experience, ability to work with a team, assume project ownership, take pride in their work, and possess entrepreneurial spirit.

17. Sara Lee
Industry: Food and beverage
Estimated new graduate hires: 30
Open positions: Assistant brand managers, HR generalists, category analysts, operations supervisors, maintenance supervisors, associate scientists, demand planners and customer service account managers
Candidate qualities: Graduates actively seeking a platform on which they can propel themselves to visible, professional success.

18. Shell Oil Company
Industry: Oil and gas
Estimated new graduate hires: N/A
Open positions: Meteorology; industrial hygiene; geosciences; Engineering (mechanical, chemical, electrical, civil, environmental, petroleum); finance and accounting; Health, Safety, Security and environmental programs; sales
Candidate qualities: Minimum 3.2 GPA. Must be an innovative problem-solver and able to work well with others; technical skills and proven achievements are a must.

19. The Sherwin-Williams Company
Industry:
Retail
Estimated new graduate hires: 550
Open positions: Management and sales trainees
Candidate qualities: Candidates should have a bachelor's degree, entrepreneurial spirit, demonstrated leadership ability, and work experience in customer service and/or sales. A willingness to relocate for advancement is encouraged.

20. Sodexo
Industry:
Hospitality/contract services
Estimated new graduate hires: 95
Open positions: Food services manager, environmental services manager, dietitian, engineer and facilities manager, accountant
Candidate qualities: Students with necessary technical skills like communication, financial acumen and knowledge of the business. Integrity, motivation to succeed and flexibility are a must.

21. Sun Microsystems
Industry: Network infrastructure
Estimated new graduate hires: 80
Open positions: Computer science, electrical engineering, marketing and finance
Candidate qualities: Computer science and electrical engineering students who have a demonstrated ability to successfully balance academic requirements with internships and student club activity.

22. Tyson Foods Incorporated
Industry: Food services
Estimated new graduate hires: 50-65
Open positions: Operations, research and development, sales, marketing and information systems
Candidate qualities: Students with diverse and transferable skill sets and with college majors ranging from animal science and foods science, to business and information systems. 

23. UnitedHealth Group
Industry: Health care
Estimated new graduate hires: 150-200
Open positions: Accountants, financial analysts, operations analysts, business analysts, product consultants, applications developers, programmers, actuarial analysts, internal auditors, communications specialists, marketing specialists, senior financial analysts and outbound marketing specialists
Candidate qualities: Smart, motivated, goal-oriented, career-minded individuals who work well in a team, and would enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.

24. Weichert Realtors
Industry:
Real estate
Estimated new graduate hires: 640
Open positions: Sales associates
Candidate qualities: Must thrive in a team environment, have strong communication skills and enjoy interacting with people. Candidates should also be comfortable with technology and social networking online.

25. Whirlpool Corporation
Industry:
Manufacturing, consumer products and durable goods
Estimated new graduate hires: 75
Open positions: Leadership development programs:  engineering, finance, marketing, supply chain, information systems, operations management and sales
Candidate qualities: Ability to drive change and exhibit leadership, teamwork, effective communication skills, customer focus and integrity. Demonstrated capability to achieve extraordinary results a must.

*Companies are listed in alphabetical order. For specific job requirements, please visit individual company Web sites.

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