Building an Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruiting

SAS’ Early Career recruitment team entered 2021 with high hopes but flexibility in mind. They took a digital-first approach coupled with a commitment for humanizing the process. They focused on launching segmented campaigns to talent that aligned with their current and future hiring needs, inviting well-qualified and diverse talent to events and to apply to available career opportunities. SAS' events were focused on adding value to students and included Q&A panels of hiring managers, authentic storytelling from recent new-grads and former interns, and providing tips to students on resumes and virtual career fair & interview prep. SAS also maintained strong relationships with career services and attended career fairs with partner universities to ensure they met students where they were. Several of SAS' 2021 Summer Interns were even selected to serve as ambassadors, evangelizing SAS' Data for Good stories on campus!

Crafting a Standout Candidate Experience

The SAS values are to be authentic, accountable, curious and passionate. These values underpin how the Early Career team cares for talent during their selection process. They strive to initially meet students in an interactive session that shares how SAS analytics are making a positive impact on the world and the many ways their talented, diverse employees have grown their careers with SAS. The company provides authentically written communications at multiple touchpoints in the process that even include fun photos of their Early Career team! An enhancement in 2021 was their 'meet the recruiter' session which eased candidates' nerves via an informal Q&A prior to interviews. SAS is also incredibly intentional about selecting hiring managers who are passionate about Early Talent and will create an inclusive and welcoming interview experience. They are trained prior to interviews and equipped with a guide to creating a positive experience. This team is so passionate about aligning passion with opportunity to change the lives of candidates. This motivates everything SAS does!

Moving the Needle on Diversity & Inclusion

SAS' commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with Early Career Talent is multi-faceted. They have a diversity internship program, United in STEM, that creates an inclusive experience and minimizes barriers to hire for Women, Black/African-American, Latinx/Hispanic, Neurodiverse, and veteran/military spouse talent. They have a scholarship program with NCAT, an HBCU local to their HQ. SAS also supports an ambassador program of former United in STEM summer interns who advocate for SAS on their campuses. They intentionally involve members of their Employee Inclusion Groups to participate in events and interviewing to ensure representation while engaging talent in the recruitment process.