The BusinessWeek survey results demonstrate that businesses are hiring entry-level employees at a steady pace and competing more intensely for the very best. BusinessWeek reports that companies are finding inventive ways to attract, retain and motivate their youngest employees - using everything from work-from-home programs to faster promotions and financial benefits.

"We are pleased to receive this level of recognition," said Elease Wright, senior vice president, human resources. "Our strong internship programs and college recruiting efforts make Aetna especially attractive to young talented individuals."

According to Wright, Aetna's best-in-class internship program serves as a training ground to identify future leaders and strengthen the company's brand. The internship program for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students is designed to provide students with the opportunity to work on meaningful projects and gain valuable business experience while deriving a fundamental understanding of Aetna's values, business goals and culture.

Through Aetna's executive speaker series, interns are exposed to senior executives and learn more about Aetna's leadership role in shaping the future of the health care industry.

For the college contingent, Aetna provides educational training opportunities including Group School Professional Sales Leadership, Aetna Information Services (AIS) Leadership Development, Actuarial, Underwriting, and Sales Support. These programs offer students developmental opportunities in addition to rotational assignments to successfully launch their careers and contribute to Aetna's business goals.

"To attract the best and the brightest, Aetna develops meaningful relationships with students, student clubs and organizations, and campus faculty and administration at a select group of college campuses throughout the country," said Caroline Emmons, Aetna's university relations consultant. "We also participate in a host of career fairs, information sessions, executive speaking engagements, panel discussions and on-campus interviews to maintain a constant and meaningful presence," Emmons added.

According to Wright, the strategy is working for Aetna and is validated by BusinessWeek 's ranking not only amongst its health insurance competitors, but against Fortune 100 companies in other business sectors as well.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates.
www.aetna.com