Recognized for Excellence
SAS Software & Analytics received a Campus Forward Award for Excellence in Recruitment Strategies, Candidate Experience, DE&I, and Internship Programming.
This reflects SAS Software & Analytics's unwavering excellence and commitment to providing the best experience for the next generation of talent. SAS Software & Analytics invests in multi-faceted recruitment strategies, thoughtful candidate experience, inclusive recruitment practices, and standout internship programs. See below for the highlights of their strategies in each one of these categories.
Excellence in Recruitment Strategies
The Emerging Career team at SAS approaches sourcing and recruiting interns and entry-level talent with values of authenticity, accountability, curiosity, and passion, emphasizing empathy. SAS focuses on meaningfully connecting with students and providing value in every interaction. The team achieves this through intentional outreach via Handshake to curated virtual events. These events include career readiness content such as resume tips, career fair and virtual interview preparation, guidance on navigating offers with insights from recruiters, and leveraging GenAI in the job search. SAS also participates in both in-person and virtual career fairs and student organization events to meet students where they are. Students who engage with SAS at events are tagged in the applicant tracking system, allowing their applications to be prioritized, as data shows these students are more likely to accept offers after learning about SAS’s culture. The SAS Emerging Career team also prioritizes humanizing the recruitment process through "meet the recruiter" events and personalized communication that introduces the team. SAS is committed to a humanized experience that reflects the genuine care the company has for people.
Excellence in Candidate Experience
The SAS Emerging Career team recognizes the hiring process can be daunting and even stressful for students, so they have made efforts to alleviate anxiety in the process. The team has welcomed students to peak under the hood of the process by hosting a career readiness series focused on resume review, interviewing tips and offers/negotiation, and effective use of GenAI. The feedback has been incredible. Students report feeling more at ease when they better understand the process. The emerging career team also provides the questions for their pre-recorded video interviews in advance so students may adequately prepare. Students are also given the chance to re-record an answer they’re not pleased with. SAS wants candidates to be able to put their best foot forward and be their authentic selves in the hiring process. Contributing to their candidates' preparation removes added stress and allows their candidates to succeed!
Excellence in DE&I
SAS is committed to building an inclusive workforce reflective of its global customers. The Emerging Careers group prioritizes high-touch recruitment with HBCUs, MSIs, and diverse student organizations, engaging through 60+ events across 26 institutions annually. Supported by Employee Inclusion Groups, these efforts include the United in STEM Internship Program, which provides students from underrepresented backgrounds with meaningful work experience, mentorship, and coaching. Interns are paired with mentors who share similar lived experiences to help navigate the transition to the workplace. SAS also partners with Career Services at HBCUs to deliver professional development opportunities and hosts annual events like HBCU STEM Connect and HBCU Business Connect to connect students with alumni and career opportunities. Through its HBCU Academic Excellence Program, SAS offers competitive internships with mentorship, coaching, and financial stipends. These initiatives emphasize SAS’s commitment to fostering diversity within its early career talent pipelines.
Excellence in Internship Programming
The SAS Summer 2024 intern program offered flexible options, including hybrid, remote, and in-person formats. For interns living over 50 miles from SAS HQ, relocation stipends were available for those choosing to work in a hybrid model. The program began with InternPalooza, a 3-day onboarding event at HQ designed to set the tone for a summer filled with meaningful work, learning opportunities, collaboration, and community-building. This immersive experience highlighted SAS’s core values of authenticity, passion, curiosity, and accountability. At the end of the internship, interns returned to HQ for the Intern Expo, where they presented their impactful projects to employees and leaders across the company. Some interns even earned patents and presented directly to executives. SAS’s intern program intentionally builds pipelines to meet future talent demands, with approximately 70% of interns joining the company full-time upon graduation.
