European Graduate Survey 2002

Elite business students around Europe rank McKinsey & Company and BMW among their list of ideal employers. This is according to this year's findings in the annual Universum European Graduate Survey.

Nearly 7,000 business and engineering students at universities around Europe were surveyed as to their views on international career opportunities and potential employers. The results indicate a strong leaning towards big brand name companies across the board.

'From a Pan-European perspective, it is obvious that top students prefer employers with well-known and prestigious brands. A powerful brand is the key to success for attracting talents', says Astrid Verleger, director of sales for Universum. 'This is a generation that is not restrained by national boundaries, international career opportunities is the most attractive characteristic an employer can offer.'

Respondents also showed that they would prefer to have a private office than an open office landscape. If they could choose, most would prefer their employer to offer extra vacation/personal days. Business students emerged as being more interested in companies operating in management consulting, and investment banking. Engineering and science students, on the other hand, were more inclined towards academic and research organisations, along with the computer software industry.

Most of the students questioned expected to receive between €30,000 and €45,000 (the mean for all students is €39,976) annually at their first job after graduation. Unsurprisingly, male students tended to have higher salary expectations than their female student colleagues.

The research was conducted on 6,800 students across Europe between January 14th to March 22nd 2002.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.