World’s Top Employers for New Grads

Rank among business students: 3
Rank (engineering students): 25

Headquarters: New York, NY
No. of employees: 32,400

What makes it great: New hires at Goldman receive world-class training and quickly get the opportunity to influence client projects, says Michael Desmarais, global head of recruiting.

They also get the opportunity to make big bucks. On average, Goldman employees were paid nearly $400,000 last year.

Recent challenges like former executive Greg Smith's tell-all book, which was published last fall, and a jury finding former trader Fabrice Tourre liable for fraud after he misled investors in 2007, don't seem to have hurt the stock price. The investment bank's shares currently are up more than 40% from their 52-week low.

What they're looking for: Well-rounded candidates with great grades will stand out, says Desmarais. Goldman seeks intellectually curious recruits, who have the discipline and desire to keep learning constantly, even in areas beyond their direct job role, he says.

Goldman's summer program is a primary feeder into entry-level slots, Desmarais says. Its technology division is big and growing, but new grads are hired across all business areas, he says. --L.G.