Steven B. Knudsen Chair, District II | Gwinnett County Public Schools
Steven B. Knudsen Chair, District II | Gwinnett County Public Schools
Georgia's largest school district, Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as one of the top places for new graduates to work. GCPS ranked 185th on Forbes' annual "America’s Best Employers for New Grads" list, which includes 400 employers. With nearly 24,000 employees, GCPS is the largest employer in Gwinnett County and among the largest in Georgia.
Forbes collaborated with market research company Statista to survey over 100,000 young professionals with less than ten years of work experience. These professionals worked for companies with at least 1,000 employees across the United States. Respondents were asked to rate their employers based on compensation, benefits, advancement opportunities, working conditions, flexibility, company image, and inclusion. They also indicated whether they would recommend their current or past employers. The responses from surveys conducted over three years were used to create a scoring system that prioritized employee recommendations and recent feedback.
Delta Air Lines topped the list while AmeriGas Partners placed last at 400. GCPS is notable for being one of only two K-12 school districts featured on the list. It ranked ahead of several prestigious universities including Yale University (209), University of Pennsylvania (231), University of Florida (237), Brown University (239), and Duke University (258).
Dr. Calvin J. Watts, Superintendent of GCPS, expressed pride in the recognition: “This honor speaks volumes about our organizational culture and values,” Dr. Watts shares. “It reflects our school district’s commitment to creating a supportive and dynamic work environment where new graduates can thrive and develop professionally.”
Cathy Hardin, Chief Human Resources Officer at GCPS, highlighted the district's focus on its staff: “Our emphasis on professional development and continuous learning ensures that our employees are well-equipped to meet the challenges of today’s educational landscape,” Hardin shares.
Hardin further emphasized that being named on Forbes’ list validates their efforts: “Making Forbes’ ‘America’s Best Employers for New Grads’ list is a validation of the hard work our teams put in every day."
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