Google Tops List of High-Achieving Teens’ Preferred Future Employers
Generation Z Takes the Spotlight in the National Society of High School Scholars’ Annual Career Interest Survey
ATLANTA (June 27, 2017) – Google is the No. 1 dream employer for high-achieving teenagers in the first generation of digital natives, according to the National Society of High School Scholars’ (NSHSS) 2017 career interest survey.
The 10th annual survey, conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, reveals the professional aspirations of some of the most promising Generation Z students, the oldest of whom are now heading to college. Technology companies like Instagram, which cracked the list for the first time, and healthcare providers, dominated the next-generation workforce’s list of preferred employers, reflecting their comfort with computers and eagerness to make an impact.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital grabbed the No. 2 spot on the list, followed by local hospitals, the Walt Disney Company, the FBI, Apple Inc. and the CIA. When asked which fields they expect to work in, survey respondents placed healthcare first, but listed several other areas, including sciences and business, ahead of technology. The survey offers a first look at some of Generation Z’s biggest aspirations, including the benefits they want to receive and the ways they hope to make a difference in their careers.
NSHSS is a distinguished honors society for outstanding students that offers rewarding scholarships, and connects high-achieving scholars with colleges and universities around the globe. In addition, NSHSS members can participate in member events across the U.S., unique study abroad and experiential learning opportunities and benefit from a host of partner offers. Its 2017 member survey is the first to highlight the career ambitions of the teens making up Generation Z, who were born around the early 2000s.
“This year’s survey provides an invaluable glimpse into what the workforce’s next generation is seeking in their future careers,” says James W. Lewis, president of NSHSS. “As employers prepare to recruit and retain a new cadre of workers, they should be ready to meet the needs of young people who are interested in mission-driven work, innovative technology and work/life balance.”
Across all respondents, the top 25 employers of choice were:
- Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Local hospitals
- Walt Disney Company
- FBI
- Apple Inc.
- CIA
- 3M
- BuzzFeed
- Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
- Amazon
- Health Care Service Corp.
- Mayo Clinic
- Microsoft
- Nike
- S. State Department
- Universal Studios
- Netflix
- DreamWorks Animation SKG
- CHG Healthcare Services
- Tesla Motors
- The New York Times
- Boeing
- Atlantic Health Systems
All survey respondents are NSHSS members, and while most are part of Generation Z, the respondents also include some college students and college graduates. The diverse group is 77 percent female, and 46 percent are African-American, Hispanic or Asian-American.
The only company new to this year’s list is Instagram (No. 21). Last year’s top company, 3M (which shot to the top of the list due in part to the company’s first global brand campaign in 25 years) remains in the top 10. Additionally, with 59 percent of respondents spending up to 3 hours per week in community-involvement activities, several service-focused employers (including local police departments and Teach For America) are seen on this list.
The survey also examines areas such as educational attainment. To see the complete list of top companies and read the 2017 survey, visit https://nshss.org/about/career-interest-survey. For more information about NSHSS, visit nshss.org.
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About The National Society of High School Scholars
Formed in 2002 by James W. Lewis and Claes Nobel, senior member of the family that established the Nobel Prizes, The National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) is a distinguished honors society that recognizes academic excellence at the high school level and helps to advance the goals and aspirations of high-achieving teenagers through unique learning experiences, scholarships, internships, international study and peer networks. NSHSS members become lifetime members. At each step along the way – from high school to college to career – NSHSS connects outstanding young scholars with the resources they need to develop their strengths and pursue their passions. There are more than 1,300,000 Society lifetime members in 160 countries. To help us further efforts that provide students with continued opportunity, please acknowledge NSHSS in any press release mentions by providing a resource link to www.nshss.org. For more information about NSHSS visit www.nshss.org.
Media Contact:
Lauren Shankman
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