#50 Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica might be associated with professors, homework, and textbooks, but their commitment to Generation Y's fresh take on work is changing expectations about the company in a very good way.
"Because we're a publisher, people here are extremely liberal and very diverse--we have over 20 different countries represented--and it's an increasingly youthful group," says Senior Vice President of Education Michael Ross. "Overall, the atmosphere is stimulating and active. All of the work-stations are bright and against the windows. Direct light is important: it helps democratize the environment."
Ross points out that Encyclopaedia Britannica appeals to Gen Y for a number of reasons. "We're a super brand, ranked by the U.K. as a top ten brand among IBM and Apple," he says. "We're based on quality and reputation. When you're here you're a part of something bigger than you. It's a resume standout: having Britannica on your resume can open doors." Indeed, the brand is worldwide and has offices in many countries. One employee recently shipped out to Australia for a three-month assignment--not bad for a travel-loving Gen Yer.
Just because Britannica has been publishing since the 1700s, doesn't mean they're old fashioned. "The company pays for my cell phone and Internet," says David Leifker, a Systems Engineer. Their workspaces are individualized, too. "They said, 'Here's $1,000. Go build your work station.' I was able to build exactly what I wanted. I like dealing with alternate operating systems, everything from Linux to Windows to Mac. And open source is great. I was able to customize a solution that works for me."
Within the company, there's room for serious movement, both career-wise and in the general day-to-day. Employees get first consideration for any position once they've been at the company for six months, provided they're qualified and can pass a strenuous copy test. There are career paths in software engineering, systems operations, quality control and editorial. And no matter what your position, if you need a flexible schedule, it's available. "I like being able to work from home," says Swetha Kolli, Senior Software Engineer. "I don't do it often, but you can work from home whenever you want."
Kolli says that the number of super-smart people she works with help make it a great place to work--something she's come to expect from the company.
