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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
W.W. Grainger, Inc. 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.
Multi-Faceted and Thoughtful Approach to University Recruitment
Grainger’s recruiting teams are dedicated to attracting and sourcing early career talent by attending in-person and virtual career fairs as well as hosting targeted information sessions in areas like tech, supply chain, sales, and finance. This year, Grainger launched a Campus Ambassador advocacy program to create opportunities for early career team members to share their experiences with students, answer questions about transitioning from school to professional life, and strengthen Grainger’s on-campus relationships. At Grainger events, students can ask leaders questions and learn about specific roles firsthand. They can also have their resume reviewed as well as practice interview questions and their pitch. Grainger attends about 140 early career recruitment events and university fairs, including career fairs focused on diversity and early in career talent.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
To execute against its diversity, equity and inclusion strategy, Grainger finds new and unique ways to engage with diverse talent and establishes partnerships with many diverse professional organizations. Key partnerships include HACE, Out & Equal, Disability:IN and the National Black MBA Association. Through these partnerships, the company participates in career events and engages talent from non-traditional backgrounds. Grainger’s strong relationships with HSI’s and HBCU’s focus on attracting early career talent and providing opportunities for alumni to give back to their alma mater. Grainger is also proud to partner with organizations like iMentor and Pitch In Chicago to coach, mentor, and make a difference in the lives of middle and high school students from underserved communities.
Impactful Internship Program
Preparing early career talent for long-term success at Grainger is a critical component of the company's talent strategy. Grainger offers a variety of internship programs that build broad foundational knowledge of the company and often result in offers for full-time employment after graduation. All interns are provided dedicated hands-on training, mentorship and networking opportunities, and a peer cohort community to accelerate their development. Grainger hosts in-office internships and interns receive fully coordinated and funded housing to ensure they can put their whole focus into learning and development while building a stronger connection to the organization and team. These actions help demonstrate why 99% of Grainger’s 2023 interns indicated they were able to grow personally and professionally through the program.