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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
Palo Alto Networks was selected as a 2024 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of diverse talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
The recruitment strategy prioritizes outreach to underrepresented talent through targeted partnerships including: Codepath, Thurgood Marshall, Girls Who Code, WiCyS, HBCU Connect, AFROTECH, AISES and Lesbians Who Tech. Additionally, the team provides a high touch candidate experience by offering comprehensive interview prep materials, maintaining transparent and timely communication and accommodating interview preferences (i.e., virtual/in person and scheduling). After joining, Palo Alto Networks provides access to 10 employee network groups, mentorship programs and learning opportunities. These efforts not only enhance professional growth but also foster a strong sense of community and belonging for early career employees. Additionally, one of the core company values is inclusion—which is actively promoted by welcoming different perspectives and backgrounds and encouraging ongoing dialogue through company-wide events and leadership forums.
Impactful Internship Program
Palo Alto Networks 12-week internship program provides a career defining experience through impactful projects, leadership visibility, and professional development opportunities they can take beyond their internship. The team also provides additional layers of support through manager training, regular check-ins with the Early Talent team and a buddy program: these relationships carry on if interns join the company full time the following year. The program also adds an element of fun through onsite and offsite community building events: interns have the opportunity to build long-lasting relationships and network with employees across the organization. The proof is in the pudding—last summer, 97% of interns were either satisfied or extremely satisfied with the program.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
Palo Alto Networks offers a robust New Grad Program, LEAP, designed to take employees from college to career. Each cohort has a series of onboarding events including benefits, employee stock purchase plan, goals & milestones, meaningful one-on-one conversations and more. Throughout the program, the early talent team emphasizes professional development through: leadership speakers who can mentor new grads, performance management conversations, internal mobility support and more. Entering the professional world can also be daunting, but the Early Talent team hosts social events for grads to connect with employees who are navigating the same transition. Finally, the team also coaches managers who play a key role in employee retention—through training and transparent communication, the team is able to provide an additional layer of support throughout the program.