Recognized for Excellence
Akamai received a Campus Forward Award for Excellence in Early Career Recruitment Strategy, Innovation in Action, and Excellence in Candidate Experience.
This award celebrates the team’s strong dedication to fostering forward-thinking campus recruiting programs that convert top student talent, investing in advanced technology and AI transforming early career recruiting, and championing a standout candidate experience with authentic branding and transparent communication. See below for the highlights of their innovative approach to early career recruitment.
Excellence in Early Career Recruitment Strategy
The Emerging Talent recruiting team at Akamai uses a school-agnostic, relationship-driven approach to reach early-career candidates where they already learn, build, and collaborate. Instead of relying on a single hiring channel, the team blends virtual programming, regional pop-up events, and targeted community partnerships to expand access for students from a wide range of institutions and backgrounds. Candidates experience a consistent, high-touch process that includes skill-building workshops, transparent communication, and recruiter support at every stage. This approach broadens the pipeline, strengthens long-term engagement with emerging technologists, and creates a candidate experience that feels personal, equitable, and growth-oriented.
Innovation in Action
Emerging Talent at Akamai uses technology to enhance human-driven hiring experiences without replacing the humans at the center. The team leverages recruiting platforms, dashboards, and scheduling tools to improve pipeline visibility, reduce response times, and streamline coordination across global stakeholders. Inclusive job-description tools and language-review technology help ensure postings are accessible and welcoming to candidates from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout the process, recruiters remain intentionally hands-on, using technology to remove friction while preserving authentic conversation, personalized guidance, and thoughtful evaluation. This balanced approach improves efficiency while strengthening equity, belonging, and candidate confidence along the journey.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
The Emerging Talent recruiting team at Akamai focuses on making the hiring process feel clear, supportive, and low-stress for students. Candidates get straightforward timelines, honest expectations about each stage, and practical interview prep so they know what to expect and how to show up confidently. Communication stays friendly and personal, with recruiters checking in, answering questions, and making sure no one feels left hanging. Interviewers follow a consistent, student-aware approach, and candidate feedback is reviewed after each cycle so the process keeps getting clearer, fairer, and more approachable from application through offer.
