2009 Gen-Y 50

Brill Street + Company is proud to present its annual ranking of the 50 most Generation-Y friendly companies in the Chicagoland area.

1

#1 Morningstar

"Gen Yers often participate in special projects aside from their current job at Morningstar, where they collaborate with various teams globally ..."

2

#2 Digitas

"Digitas is fast-paced, transparent, empowering, fun, exciting, and entrepreneurial."

3

#3 Deloitte LLP

"Gen Y workers are encouraged to have formal discussions throughout the year with their managers about career-life fit ..."

4

#4 Orbitz

"Everyone has a Blackberry, so you can call into a meeting or work from home."

5

#5 NCSA Athletic Recruiting

"I had the opportunity to create my own role here at NCSA and re-shape a portion of the business."

6

#6 Equity Residential

"With nearly 30% of the company being composed of Gen Y workers, it is evident that the company’s work culture is tailored to fit Gen Y needs."

7

#7 Careerbuilder.com

"We have many individual learning opportunities and a lot of e-learning modules containing engaging and interactive content ..."

8

#8 Accenture

"This is a company that is truly dedicated to its employees’ growth, development and well being in and out of the office."

9

#9 MSDSonline

"... you can share your ideas with your managers and directors, everybody’s open to listening and really helping you better your career and move forward."

10

#10 Total Attorneys

"... the company’s competitive benefits package and offerings for its employees pack quite the punch."

11

#11 Starcom MediaVest Group

"Young professionals can feel free to share opinion and express individuality as the company values both."

12

#12 Performics

"The flexible office environment guarantees that employees aren’t overworked."

13

#13 RealTick

"Providing a clear path for their employee’s upward mobility is one of RealTick’s greatest strengths."

14

#14 US Cellular Inc

"The open communication between junior and senior level workers creates a collaborative environment ..."

15

#15 Assurance

"Their (Gen Y) ability to communicate effectively and quickly gives young professionals an edge over other generations in the workforce."

16

#16 Avanade

"We have a gadget bonus to spend on technology 'toys' to enhance our knowledge."

17

#17 Kraft Foods

"There is no need for junior level staffers to feel inhibited, as all ideas and contributions are acknowledged equally."

18

#18 Anixter, Inc

"When employees do an exceptional job, they can be rewarded through Anixter’s annual performance bonus."

19

#19 West Monroe Partners

"I definitely appreciate it when the managers are invested in my career and constantly providing me feedback."

20

#20 Sandstorm Design

"They own it, they own the culture, and they own their space."

21

#21 Sonoma Partners

"I enjoy working at Sonoma Partners for the flexibility as well as the company culture and the overall energy that is in the office."

22

#22 Plante & Moran, LLC

"Employees are (also) treated to a flex spending account and 50% reimbursement on gym memberships. "

23

#23 Acquity Group

"We don’t set up artificial boundaries ... There are no walls to break down, so to speak."

24

#24 Fieldglass

"Although both of the Chicago offices are generally quiet and focused, every once in a while there is an outburst of complete silliness ..."

25

#25 Content that Works

"... we encourage everyone to take a leadership role in what they do,"

26

#26 Orbit Media Solutions

"... it’s people who love what they do, who they work with, who their working for, and they love the place they’re in."

27

#27 McGraw-Hill Companies

"Employees that are constantly providing results, working hard and making strides can enjoy annual performance bonuses ..."

28

#28 Total Quality Logistics

"It’s definitely not every man for themselves; we have a great team atmosphere."

29

#29 Burwood Group

"Employees (also) receive a competitive benefits package upon hire, including a 401K match and stock options."

30

#30 Wrigley Company

"Our belief is that as senior leaders align and own our strategy, lasting change will occur."

31

#31 American Transport

"The owners of ATG work on the floor of the exchange side by side with their employees, listening to them and evaluating their input."

32

#32 Akoo International

"Akoo offers its employees additional perks to keep them happy and constantly developing."

33

#33 Grainger

"Young professionals are eager to get their start with Grainger because of its friendly and welcoming office culture."

34

#34 Zeno Group

"no walls, lots of energy and filled with people obsessed with making headlines."

35

#35 Ifbyphone

"The workspace even has a Ping-Pong table, golf putting course and scooters for employees who prefer rolling instead of walking to their destination. "

36

#36 MKTG, Inc

"We ask them, ‘What brands do you want to work with,’ and we go after them."

37

#37 rEvolution

"This year, they ditched the traditional holiday party and opted for a holiday pub-crawl to make things interesting."

38

#38 First Midwest Bank

"The company offers flexible work hours, allowing for a work life balance that is actually balanced."

39

#39 Adage Technologies

"... working hard is important and so is having fun."

40

#40 The Kenrich Group

"... even though you may e-mail and talk on the phone with a co-worker in another office regularly, you also get the chance to interact with them on a personal level and really get to know them"

41

#41 Doejo

"Every single day rocks."

42

#42 Leapfrog Online

"Generation Y employees are bright, articulate people who want to provide solutions, and you can see that as an asset or a threat. We see it as an asset."

43

#43 Alterian

"We are always searching for dynamic, skilled individuals who aren't afraid to take risks and drive change."

44

#44 Marketing Werks

"As a new employee you are given a great deal of responsibility and the freedom to run with it. There is a lot more experience to be had compared to others starting out."

45

#45 Littelfuse

"This age group is attracted to all things technical, so naturally one of the leading technology companies would be of interest to a young professional."

46

#46 Culligan

"Employees are confident in their workplace performance because of the all-encompassing training and development opportunities offered at Culligan."

47

#47 Homescout Realty

"“Fun, energetic and family are the first things that come to my mind when describing our culture."

49

#49 Emerging Solutions

"In the office, a collaborative environment is fostered and mentoring and coaching opportunities are frequent."

50

#50 InnerWorkings

"InnerWorkings assumes that you aren't going to be here forever, so they let you work on projects and learn new applications that will enhance your resume."

Brill Street's Top 50 Generation Y Employers Chicago represents companies from all industries, sizes, and backgrounds that are incredible places to work. Some you may have heard lots about, others will surprise you in a good way - and many of them are hiring.

Brill Street launched the Top 50 ranking in 2009 in partnership with GfK Custom Research North America, which recognizes companies whose best practices attract, retain, and leverage the future of our workforce: Generation Y. We are proud to announce we have again ranked Chicago's Top 50 for 2011.

Each company on this list employs many Gen Yers, all of whom said the nature of the day-to-day work is second to none. They told us their offices offered unique and interesting perks, and again and again we were told of opportunity, transparency, and (maybe most often) flexibility.

We conducted extensive research asking Gen Yers what they value in a workplace in order to determine which companies truly stood out. We visited each and every employer on our employer-nominated roster to dig deeper and uncover what made each a great place for Gen Y.