The Best Places to Launch a Career

Ernst & Young - Getty Images

What a difference a year makes. In just 12 months, our annual list of top employers for the young and restless has undergone many changes. Twenty-four new employers joined the ranking, bringing this year's total to 119, and many of those that participated last year have experienced huge gains, or equally huge setbacks.

Here's a detailed look at this year's crop of top employers.

1. Ernst & Young

Accounting
2007 rank: 3
Average pay: $50,000 to $55,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 1.5%, to 3,300, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 47%
Diversity: 32% minority; 51% female
Signing bonuses: 75% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $2,864
Maximum 401(k) match: 3% of pay
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 33.6% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

2. Deloitte

Accounting
2007 rank: 1
Average pay: $55,000 to $60,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 0.1%, to 1,996, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 51%
Diversity: 40% minority; 46% female
Signing bonuses: 84% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $5,305
Maximum 401(k) match: 1.5%
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 23.3% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

3. PricewaterhouseCoopers

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Accounting
2007 rank: 2
Average pay: $50,000 to $55,000
Entry-level hiring: Down 3.8%, to 3,602, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 50%
Diversity: 35% minority; 48% female
Signing bonuses: 93% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $3,761
Maximum 401(k) match: 1.5%
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 40.1% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

4. Goldman Sachs

Investment Banking
2007 rank: 13
Average pay: $60,000 to $65,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 35.4%, to 898, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 58%
Diversity: 49% minority; 40% female
Signing bonuses: 0% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Maximum 401(k) match: 4%
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 16.1% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

5. KPMG

Accounting
2007 rank: 11
Average pay: $50,000 to $55,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 14.4%, to 3,219, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 53%
Diversity: 33% minority; 50% female
Signing bonuses: 82% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $2,875
Maximum 401(k) match: 3.8%
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 36.4% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

6. Marriott International

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Hospitality
2007 rank: 45
Average pay: $35,000 to $40,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 2.2%, to 275, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 50%
Diversity: 33% minority; 58% female
Signing bonuses: 8% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $2,000
Maximum 401(k) match: 4.5%
Mentorship program participation: 7%
Promoting From within: 43.7% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

7. Google

Internet
2007 rank: 5
Recruiting: Actively recruited at 65 schools; made offers at 50
Most important for entry-level hires: College major; college GPA; analytical skills
Top major: 50% of 2007 hires were computer science majors and 20% were liberal arts majors
Recognition: 100% of entry-level hires received performance bonuses in first year
Average workweek: 50 hours

8. Lockheed Martin

Manufacturing
2007 rank: 9
Average pay: $55,000 to $60,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 7.4%, to 3,894, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 65%
Diversity: 31% minority; 29% female
Signing bonuses: 19% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $4,000
Maximum 401(k) match: 4%
Mentorship program participation: 40%
Promoting From within: 53.3% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

9. IBM

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Technology
2007 rank: 4
Average pay: $65,000 to $70,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 9.6%, to 2,150, in 2007
3-year retention rate: 90%
Diversity: 45% minority; 40% female
Signing bonuses: 26% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $3,800
Maximum 401(k) match: 6%
Mentorship program participation: 100%
Promoting From within: 49% of top execs have been with the organization 20+ years

10. JPMorgan

Investment Banking
2007 rank: 17
Average pay: $60,000 to $65,000
Entry-level hiring: Up 26%, to 315, in 2007
Signing bonuses: 100% of entry-level hires received them in 2008.
Average: $12,175
Top major: 46% of 2007 hires were business majors and 24% were economics majors
Maximum 401(k) match: 5%
Paid Time Off: 20 days
Mentorship program participation: 100%

See the full list of best places to launch a career.