Greenest Big-Name Companies for Recent Grads

After all of the final exams, commencement activities and tearful goodbyes, it comes time for the recent grad to settle into their quest for that all-too-elusive real-world gig. Between the job applications, resume revisions and cover letters, it can become easy to lose sight of your goals and possibly even principles, as you consider what you will and won’t compromise for a certain position.

For those of you with a prominent green conscience, you will be happy to know that the prominent, high-profile companies listed below all made the cut for Newsweek’s list of The World’s Greenest Companies, last year. So if sustainability is important to you, consider applying with one of these businesses.

IBM

Coming in just shy of the top spot, IBM was the only company recognized on both the global and U.S.-specific lists last year. The company has an extensive corporate-environmental policy that spans the entire scope of their operations. Demanding not only that their personal employees take action into their own hands, the company also requires that all of its suppliers meet a certain level of environmental responsibility. Steadily decreasing their output and consumption, IBM also goes a step further in their environmental efforts. They are actively involved with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the Conservation Fund, among others—so it’s clear IBM has the future in mind.

Philips

Currently striving to increase its energy efficiency by 25%, Philips not only seeks to make their operations more eco-friendly, but also manufactures and sells products that help consumers do the same. The majority of their sustainability efforts focus around issues such as energy consumption, product packaging and use of hazardous materials. Believing in and valuing environmental stewardship, the company’s CEO knows that being ranked 9^th in this list is just the beginning in their quest for a greener tomorrow.

Hewlett-Packard

Finishing in the top 20, Hewlett-Packard is doing more than its fair share to be a good global citizen. Significantly reducing their emissions over the past few years, the company strives to use low-carbon energy sources whenever possible. In addition to watching their energy usage and emissions, they are also keeping an eye on their water habits. No matter where they are working, they assess the local water situation to ensure they are not derailing any community’s efforts. Plus, from 2010 to 2011, they reduced their water usage by over 1%, a remarkable feat for a company that spans the globe.

These are just some of the sustainable employer options recent grads should consider. As you go on interviews and scour job boards for openings, stop and consider if the company is doing enough to measure up to your personal standards of environmental responsibility.