Newsweek Names Duke University Among America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters in 2024

Career growth opportunities, diverse workforce and culture of trust among factors valued by younger workers

Morning campus scene
Image courtesy of Duke University Marketing & Communications.

Duke University is one of the nation’s top places to start a career according to Newsweek, which has ranked Duke among “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Job Starters” for 2024.

Newsweek’s list, released last week, features employers from a range of industries. Duke University earned the highest possible rating of five stars.

“We want to be a destination employer of choice for people at every point in their journey,” said Antwan Lofton, Vice President of Duke Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer. “Anywhere from entry level positions, to mid-level managers and leadership, we want Duke to be a place where everybody can have opportunities to come here and grow.”

Newsweek partnered with the data intelligence firm Plant-A to compile the list. Ratings were drawn from a multi-step process that included interviews with human resources professionals, research about employers’ benefits and career advancement opportunities, and a survey of around 75,000 American employees with five-or-fewer years of working experience.

The survey resulted in reviews of roughly 540,000 employers. The respondents were asked to rate employers they were familiar with on factors such as compensation, opportunities for career growth, respect for a diverse workforce, encouragement of environmentally sustainable behaviors, support of a healthy work-life balance and a culture of transparency and trust. They were also asked how likely they would be to recommend somebody work at an employer.

From courses designed to build a wide array of professional and technical skills to leadership development programs, Duke offers a range of career development programs. Duke employees can also get help pursuing educational goals and find benefits designed for young and growing families.

And as an educational institution, employees at Duke can be eligible for certain federal and state student loan forgiveness programs.

“What makes Duke the best place to start your career is that we know our employees matter,” said Denise Motley, Duke Assistant Vice President for Human Resources, Central Recruitment and Staffing. “We see them. We value them. We recognize them. We boast a stellar employer brand, offer professional development, a tuition assistance program and flexible and remote work options. We maintain a thriving culture with work-life balance and a robust benefits package. The longer I’ve been here, the more value I receive from Duke. People starting their careers here will no doubt feel the same way.”

In February, Duke University landed on Forbes’ 2024 list of “America’s Best Employers” and Newsweek’s 2024 list of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women.”

Newsweek also included Duke in its 2024 list of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.” In 2023, Newsweek listed Duke among “America’s Greatest Workplaces,” “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women,” “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents and Families,” and “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity.”

In 2023, Forbes named Duke University and Duke University Health System among the “Best-In-State Employers” and “Best Employers for Women.” Duke University Health System was named among “America’s Best Large Employers.”

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