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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
PlayStation 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
From working on award-winning games to building consoles with more than 104 million consumers, PlayStation experiences firsthand the incredible impact this next generation of talent makes on the overall success of the business. Because PlayStation believes early talent is pivotal to its growth, the company is committed to scaling and further investing in its internship and alternative path programs. Many executive leaders at PlayStation started their careers with internships and have made it a point to prioritize hiring early talent because they recognize the importance of continuously bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the table.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The PlayStation Early Career Talent team is dedicated to recruiting for top talent and providing a world-class candidate experience. PlayStation participates in many on and off campus recruiting events, as well as DEI-focused conferences to engage with future leaders interested in joining the gaming industry. In addition, the company is invested in diversifying its candidate pool by strategically partnering with HSIs, HBCUs, and alternative workforce organizations such as Year Up, Techtonica, TechSF, and more. Candidates are provided with a seamless experience, complete with a guide on how to prepare for interviews, a diverse interview panel, and swift responses from the university recruiters.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
PlayStation brings out the best in its employees by creating a sense of belonging, being a place where they can grow, and ensuring everyone is valued, heard, and supported so they can push the boundaries of play. From sponsoring industry events like Grace Hopper and AfroTech to launching a first-of-its-kind Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) scholarship program, PlayStation is constantly finding new ways to attract and retain the most diverse talent around. PlayStation’s JRF scholarship program, for example, offers scholarships, mentorships, internships, and support to students from underrepresented groups to complete their secondary education and embark on a career path in the fields of technology and gaming. In addition, PlayStation aims to increase diversity through the Apprentice Pathway Program where participants come from alternative career paths. Through the program, they receive “boot camp” style training and direct support from leadership, and an opportunity to launch their tech career with PlayStation.
Impactful Internship Program
At PlayStation, interns participate in a 12-week summer experience where they push the boundaries of play in a dynamic, creative, and supportive environment. The internship program is designed to transform students into future leaders of PlayStation by providing skills, knowledge, and experiences to support their personal and professional growth. The company offers hybrid internship positions both at its corporate offices, as well as at its various game studios around the world. PlayStation interns not only work on projects that impact its 104+ million users, but also have lunch-and-learns with the Executive Leadership team, participate in social outings, and write the playbook on what internships can and should look like.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
PlayStation curates an excellent onboarding experience to ensure that interns have a successful internship. They go through a weeklong onboarding where they are ramped up on the company’s mission, vision, and values. PlayStation emphasizes the importance of community and ensures new hires know whom to go to when they have any questions. On day 1, PlayStation interns are familiarized with their ‘Dream Team,’ which includes direct support from the Early Career Talent team, manager, and mentor. During their first month, interns go through a career-mapping exercise with their managers, followed by a set of LinkedIn Learning videos that share best practices for a successful career. eNets (Employee Networks) also provide a safe space for employees and allow allies to learn from each other. Interns are invited to join a variety of eNets such as Pride@PS, Women@PS, Black@PS, Veterans@PS, and more.