.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=logo}
The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
General Mills was selected as a 2023 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent, their emphasis on diversity & inclusion, and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Demonstrated Investment in Early Career Hiring
General Mills has a long history of strategically investing in early career talent, evidenced by its robust internship and rotational development programs, and the longevity and success of graduates of these programs. As the world continues to evolve at a rapid pace, welcoming sharp, new, diverse perspectives is key to continuing to grow in the face of market volatility and change. This is why General Mills’ campus recruiting programs are held at utmost importance and respect enterprise-wide.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The campus recruiting team at General Mills continues to push outside the box of traditional core-school hiring to reach diverse talent from all walks of life. General Mills prioritizes meeting students where they’re at in an effort to optimize flexibility and outreach. General Mills utilizes virtual platforms, video interviews, school-agnostic info sessions, in-person events and interviewing, online development panels, school ambassadors, and many more sources to diversify the way it shares opportunities and finds top talent. General Mills has seen great success and connection utilizing its employee resource groups. Building relationships between students and ERGs showcases a differential outlook on what it’s like to work for an amazing food company while helping candidates feel informed and connected.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
General Mills seeks not only to attract diverse talent, but also to nourish that talent during the job search and interview process, and once they are a part of the General Mills family. Employee networks play a pivotal role in this. General Mills hosts a yearly Diversity Development & Career Day called ‘You Are Here’ for sophomores and juniors in college. During this day, members of employee networks serve in a mentorship role to help developing talent understand the job market and gain applicable skills towards a successful career. When new talent comes on board, networks not only engage in internal mentorship opportunities with access to company leaders/sponsors, but also engage with an external partnership with The Executive Leadership Council for growth and development. The company also utilizes opportunities to increase its involvement in the community through organizations like NSBE, SASE, SHPE, Consortium, MLT (and more) to help shape the futures of next generations.
Impactful Internship Program
A summer internship with General Mills provides interns with real-world career immersion at its World Headquarters in Minneapolis, as well as Manufacturing Facilities and Sales Offices across the United States. Interns are positioned to succeed with training, involvement in the business, balanced social/community-focused activities, and individual feedback sessions for immediate and continued personal growth and development. Intern projects are real-time and impactful, working with executive leadership and surrounded by a team of experts. Many events are showcased from professional development, leadership speakers, cross-functional exposure, and many networking opportunities. General Mills continues to see record numbers of interns coming back to work with the organization full-time in its developmental rotational programs and other early career positions.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
General Mills’ developmental rotational career programs are built through a variety of different roles and assignments, each designed to build the depth and breadth needed to transform into a future leader for General Mills. Hires are given the opportunity to truly own their career while being provided resources on what experiences will get them there.