Recognized for Excellence
MKS Inc. 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 team at MKS takes an innovative, multi-tiered approach to engaging early career talent. Using a dynamic tiered school strategy (Active, Targeted, and Passive Engagement), the team expands reach while maintaining personalized connections. For Active schools, MKS strengthened its Student Ambassador program, empowering students to host events, lead intern panels, and support career fairs. Across Active and Targeted schools, tailored initiatives such as resume workshops, AMA panels, and student organization collaborations foster authentic engagement. To enhance candidate experience, MKS partners with student organizations and professors to host immersive site visits, career prep workshops, and virtual networking opportunities, ensuring equitable access and meaningful interactions for students nationwide.
Innovation in Action
MKS Inc. leverages technology to streamline recruitment and enhance candidate experience. RippleMatch powers sourcing and post-event communication, ensuring candidates receive personalized emails within 24 hours of an event with clear next steps. The team also maintains a candidate review rate of less than 10 days, accelerating decision-making and responsiveness. To keep future hires engaged, the Emerging Talent team generates a monthly newsletter featuring curated updates and AI-driven content tailored for students. These innovations foster a consistent, high-touch experience while improving efficiency and strengthening relationships with diverse early-career talent.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
Candidate experience is the bedrock from the application process, through their first day and up until their final day as an intern. Recruiters collaborate with hiring managers to design streamlined, student-friendly interview processes—typically no more than three interviews, with virtual options to accommodate schedules. Candidates receive clear communication throughout the process, including next steps after offer acceptance and onboarding details as they approach their start date. Job descriptions include compensation for transparency, and new hires receive a personalized welcome box, a manager introduction, and a buddy connection, followed by a structured onboarding plan. Monthly newsletters keep interns engaged, and recruiters conduct regular check-ins to ensure support and timely feedback. Interns complete final presentations to showcase their work and conclude their experience with a customized farewell gift to commemorate their time at MKS Inc.
