World’s Top Employers for New Grads

Rank among business students: 14
Rank (engineering students): 5

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
No. of employees: 105,900

What makes it great: For many new grads, the chance to work at the maker of BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce gets their engines revving.

BMW's i3, its first electric car, is due out next year. Indeed, the German automaker has its sights set on becoming the most sustainable manufacturer in the industry, says Katrin Schroeder, a recruiting manager.

Young professionals can take advantage of programs to help them advance: One supports women in their first management roles, another offers financial and technical assistance for Ph.D. candidates.

What they're looking for: It's very important to us that an applicant is passionate about what he does, or wants to do, and that their character fits our spirit, says Schroeder.

Students who have worked internationally and gained practical experience through a variety of internships will get recruiters' notice, she says.

Last year, BMW hired more than 6,500 employees (over 60% of them in Germany). Demand is greatest in engineering and software development. --L.G.