The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is celebrating another national recognition from Forbes, landing once again on the publication’s list of best employers for new graduates, released May 19. This marks the sixth consecutive year the university has earned this distinction.
“The University of Tennessee continues to innovate in creating an exceptional employee experience by developing resources that help early-career talent grow and succeed,” said Tarah Keeler, associate vice chancellor of human resources and chief human resources officer. “New graduates are welcomed as key team members whose emerging skills bring fresh perspectives, while experienced professionals provide unmatched guidance and institutional knowledge to help shape career growth.”
Beyond welcoming new talent, UT actively works to create an environment where collaboration and ongoing learning are part of everyday life. Employees have access to professional development opportunities, mentoring programs and a Volunteer network that fosters community across campus and beyond. The human resources team continually strengthens these initiatives to ensure that employees feel valued, connected and proud to be part of the university community.
Employers were assessed on several criteria, including salary, benefits, advancement opportunities, AI adoption, work-life balance and company image. Participants were also asked whether they would recommend any of their previous employers or those they knew through their respective industries or through family and friends working there. Each company received a score, and the highest 500 organizations made the ranking.
UT currently has 2,327 faculty and 6,232 staff members. Employees enjoy a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to promote well-being, professional development and overall job satisfaction. The package includes competitive health insurance, retirement plans with employer matching, generous paid leave and holidays and tuition discounts for employees and their families. Combined with a strong focus on work-life balance, these benefits underscore the university’s commitment to fostering a supportive and rewarding workplace.
Forbes has also recognized UT as a dream employer, one of America’s best large employers and one of the top three employers in Tennessee.
About the Rankings
The rankings, compiled by Forbes in partnership with market research firm Statista, are based on an independent survey of more than 100,000 professionals with less than 10 years of work experience who work for U.S. companies with at least 1,000 employees. The scoring system drew from more than two million employer evaluations reviewed across a three-year period.
The complete list of best employers for new graduates is available on the Forbes website. For information on employment opportunities at UT, visit the Human Resources page.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Stacy Estep (865-974-8304, [email protected])