Best Companies for 2011 College Graduates

What are the best companies for 2011 college graduates to target as they look to start their careers?

As spring approaches, prospective college graduates from around the country are looking ahead to the next stage of their lives - a first job and the path to a career. In 2011, with the economy improving - slightly and slowly - the job outlook for college graduates remains dim. But, even in this post-recession era, there are some bright spots.

Verizon

Based on their hiring plans and the variety of careers offered, Verizon is at the top of the list of best companies for 2011 college graduates to seek out when looking to start their careers. No company plans to hire more college graduates and entry-level employees in 2011. According to U. S Department of Labor statistics, Verizon plans to add more than 10,000 employees. And the jobs will range from retail to technological, from customer service to engineering. Advances in mobile technology, including the expansion of mobile video, are driving growth at other telecommunications companies as well, making this one of the best employment sectors for 2011 college graduates.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car

The company has announced plans to hire over 8,000 people this year. Many of those positions will be entry-level jobs well-suited for new college graduates. Enterprise - and other car rental companies with growth plans, such as Hertz - have openings at many major cities across the country. This provides an opportunity for college graduates who want a job close to home - or in some another city they prefer. Enterprise targets college graduates with degrees in business or marketing, and offer the kinds of things parents want their children to value - stability, benefits, and a chance to gain management experience relatively quickly.

Teach for America

Non-profits are sometimes overlooked when college graduates start their job search. But, with anticipated openings for nearly 5,000 college graduates in 2011, Teach for America is among the best companies in the country to find an entry-level job. With steady growth over the last ten years, Teach for America is building a national corps of young people who make a wo-year commitment to teach in urban and rural public schools.

Ernst & Young

The major accounting companies have always been prime targets of college graduates looking to launch financial careers. In 2011, Ernst & Young plans to hire nearly 2,000 entry-level employees - many of them college graduates recruited on campus during the spring semester. Other accounting companies - including KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers - plan to hire nearly as many recent college graduates. With the first signs of economic recovery taking shape, financial service firms are some of the best companies for college graduates in 2011.

General Electric

Rock-solid GE plans to add more entry-level employees this year than at any time in nearly a decade. For generations, GE has been among the best companies for college graduates seeking careers, as opposed to just jobs. It offers well-respected training and advancement opportunities in field from finance to health care and information technology. General Electric is also one of the best companies for 2011 college graduates to find so-called "green" jobs - particularly in the field of energy.