Sodexo Offers Opportunities to Graduates in Tough Job Market

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 15, 2009 — Sodexo, a leading integrated food and facilities management services company, was named “One of the Top 50 Entry Level Employers” in the nation for 2009 on an annual list generated by the number one entry-level job site CollegeGrad.com. Sodexo is also ranked fourth on Diversity Edge Magazine’s 2009 “Best Companies for Diverse Graduates” list, an impressive jump from last year’s rank of eighth.

 

Diversity Edge magazine’s listing recognizes leadership in recruiting, retaining, and advancing entry level talent from diverse backgrounds. The Collegegrad.com list features companies that continue to recruit entry level professionals in a job market which is not as robust as in years past.   Employee development, training opportunities, and strong internship programs were also taken into account.

 

“College graduates are entering one of the most difficult job markets in history,” said Senior Vice President for Human Resources Peri Bridger. “The state of the current economy also means that now more than ever, Sodexo’s clients rely on Sodexo to provide superior service in support of their business viability and growth. We, in turn, can meet those expectations only by having a strong, diverse and competitive workforce. This means that not only does Sodexo have positions to fill; we are increasingly committed to providing professional growth opportunities in order to attract and keep top talent. We are so pleased to be recognized for this and our innovative recruiting programs.”

When compiling its annual list, Diversity Edge magazine seeks out companies with dynamic recruiting programs and strong entry level foundations for new hires who have recently graduated from college or graduate school. Companies were selected based on their responses to a survey and input from various university career centers across the country. Sodexo scored high for its mentoring initiatives, employee network groups, and leadership development programs. 

 

Both lists are available to students at their university career service centers and at www.CollegeGrad.com or www.DiversityEdge.com.

 

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated facilities management services company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $11 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.