Top schools for recruiting customer service interns and recent grads

When you’re recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early career customer service jobs, which are your favorite schools and why? Here is what 6 thought leaders have to say.

• Prefer Florida State for Hospitality Expertise
• Northwestern and USC for Communication Strengths
• NYU Stern for Real-World Problem Solving
• Value Critical Thinking Over School Prestige
• Technical Institutes for Practical Tech Skills
• UC Berkeley for Analytical Proficiency

Prefer Florida State for Hospitality Expertise

Florida State University’s Dedman School of Hospitality is known for its exceptional programs in hospitality management, which typically include coursework and training related to customer service. 

In our experience, graduates from this program often have the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in roles prioritizing customer satisfaction and service excellence. 

Therefore, I recommend Florida State University’s Dedman School of Hospitality as a valuable source for recruiting interns or recent graduates for early-career customer service positions.

Logan Shooster, VP of Strategic Growth, Answering Service Care

Northwestern and USC for Communication Strengths

We need to fill internship positions and customer service roles; one approach is to recruit students from schools with strong communication programs. For example, both Northwestern University and the University of Southern California have curriculums that focus on skills like problem-solving and flexibility. These programs offer opportunities for students to engage in simulations and case studies, which help them develop the customer service roles.

Graduates from these institutions demonstrate expertise in handling service situations. They also shine in crisis situations by showing a calm demeanor under pressure. Their strong communication skills enable them to connect with customers effectively, which is essential for roles that impact customer satisfaction and loyalty levels.

Scott Distasio, Tampa Accident Injury Lawyer, Distasio Law Firm

NYU Stern for Real-World Problem Solving

I’ve always had a remarkable experience working with students from New York University Stern School of Business. Their readiness to tackle real-world problems and the innovative thinking they bring to the table are exactly what we look for. 

I recall an instance when a Stern intern significantly improved our logistics model, integrating a more efficient thermal-insulation approach that enhanced cargo safety during transport. This kind of initiative and practical application of knowledge is why NYU Stern remains a top choice for us.

Sandra Malouf, President, Eurolog Packing Group

Value Critical Thinking Over School Prestige

In selecting schools for internships or early-career hires, I prioritize those fostering critical thinking and adaptability. Institutions like Stanford and UCLA stand out for their diverse talent pool and emphasis on practical skills. 

However, I’ve also found gems in lesser-known colleges, where candidates demonstrate exceptional problem-solving abilities. It’s not about the name; it’s about the individual’s potential to excel in a dynamic environment like ours.

Jonathan Gerber, President, RVW Wealth

Technical Institutes for Practical Tech Skills

In my role at AccuTech Communications, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing various recruitment and internship programs aimed at fostering young talent in business communications. 

When targeting schools for these initiatives, our top picks often include technical institutes and universities with strong engineering or IT programs, such as Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). These institutions are renowned for their rigorous coursework and hands-on approach to technology and communications, which align perfectly with the practical, problem-solving skills we need.

From our experience, students from these schools not only bring a deep theoretical understanding but also exhibit a readiness to apply their knowledge practically. For instance, a recent grad from WPI joined our team and immediately improved our troubleshooting processes by implementing software she developed during her capstone project. This not only enhanced our efficiency but also reduced client system downtimes significantly.

Additionally, our engagement with these institutions goes beyond mere recruitment. We often participate in workshops and seminars that allow us to interact directly with students, understanding their capabilities and interests, which leads to more focused and beneficial internship experiences. 

By integrating these young professionals into real projects, such as upgrading network infrastructures for our clients, they gain invaluable experience while contributing meaningfully to our company’s goals. These partnerships have not only enriched our workforce but have also allowed us to maintain a leading edge in technological advancements within the business communications industry.

Corin Dolan, Owner, AccuTech Communications

UC Berkeley for Analytical Proficiency

From my experience, UC Berkeley stands out as one of our preferred sources for recruiting interns and recent graduates, particularly for roles requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 

The rigorous economic training provided at Berkeley equips students with a deep understanding of complex problems and data-driven decision-making, which are crucial in the fast-paced environment of legal funding. The university’s focus on empirical research methods and economic theory translates well into the analytical tasks required at Lawsuit Loans.

A Berkeley economics graduate interned with us, working on a project analyzing the success rates of different legal funding cases. This intern was instrumental in developing a predictive model that improved our decision-making process for future funding approvals. By analyzing past case data and client feedback, the intern helped increase our approval accuracy by 15% over the summer. It was a successful experience for our business.

Jared Stern, Managing Member, Lawsuit Loans