Tell us about your company and why you recruit OSU students.
We are the world’s second largest food company with annual revenues of $48 billion. Millions of times a day, in more than 160 countries, consumers reach for their favorite Kraft Foods brands. We make a delicious difference by fighting hunger and supporting healthy lifestyles. Over the past 25 years, we’ve donated nearly a billion dollars in cash and food. Our company is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Standard & Poor’s 500, the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and Ethibel Sustainability Index.
OSU offers premier Engineering and Food Science programs. We’ve seen many double and triple majors, including a coupling of IE and ME which is valuable in a manufacturing environment. Students tell us that OSU makes it very feasible to obtain a dual focus. Many students also elect a concentration or minor option to enhance their studies. OSU students partake in a multitude of developmental opportunities that prepare them for a smooth transition into the workplace. These include internships and co-ops such as MECOP, involvement in student groups, community programs, etc.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Talent Planning. One of the most important contributions of the HR business partner is gauging long-term needs and then planning appropriately to ensure the company’s competitiveness and sustainability. This entails attracting and retaining candidates with the knowledge, skills and abilities required to meet strategic goals.
How do you find people you want to hire and what makes them stand out from others?
We often find the people we want to hire through a number of our on-campus activities, referrals, and at many diversity and pre-professional conferences. Ideally, we hire into our experiential learning programs (internships, co-ops, etc) to evaluate performance and fit, before converting students into fulltime employees upon graduation.
What do you recommend students do in college so that they are ready when it comes time to find a job?
1) Academic achievement. 2) Involvement in Clubs & Activities. 3) Demonstrate Leadership. 4) Gain as much experience you can relative to your area of study: internship, labs, volunteering, job shadows, etc. 5) Build a network: professionals, faculty, alumni, professional organizations, peers, mentors. 6) Write a great resume. 7) Master the art of the interview & follow-up. 8) Learn about companies in your field. 9) Meet representatives from the companies you are most interested in.
Posted by Sarah Scaruto, Associate HR Manager from Kraft Foods
