MITX Survey Reveals Healthy Entry Level Hiring in the Digital Sector

Nation’s oldest digital advocacy group offers tips for finding entry level positions

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) has some good news for 2010 college graduates: The MITX member constituency of 250 Internet business and marketing companies are hiring. According to the November 2009 MITX Hiring Intentions Survey, respondents plan to hire an average of six entry level positions each in 2010.

“New England and Massachusetts, especially, is home to some of the nation’s premier colleges and universities. It’s important we do a great job of bringing our great students into great companies.”

More findings of interest to grads include:

• Marketing, web development and creative are the most sought after positions that business are recruiting
• Top four preferred recruiting tools are internship/co-op programs, colleagues/networking, Craigslist and word-of-mouth
• There is no set hiring time for positions and will happen throughout the year
• There are more non tech jobs in the respondent companies than tech jobs

“MITX companies are growing and need to hire our local talent,” said Kiki Mills, president of MITX. “New England and Massachusetts, especially, is home to some of the nation’s premier colleges and universities. It’s important we do a great job of bringing our great students into great companies.”

MITX offers the following tips for finding an entry level position in the Internet business and marketing industry:

• Network, network: 70 percent of respondents cited colleagues and networking as the primary source to find talent. Identify the professional trade organizations; meet up groups and other industry gatherings to grow your network. And because no job typical means minimal budget, take advantage of the StayinMA scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to attend industry events.
• Internships are competitive, but plentiful: 81 percent of respondents said they offer internships. If you think you have to work for free, think again. Seventy-six percent of respondents reportedly offer paid internships.
• Employers hire year-round: 88 percent of respondents said they have no set time for hiring entry level talent, so if you graduate in January, don’t feel like you have to wait until the spring for all the jobs to open up.
• Do your homework: 34 percent of respondents report “lack of applicable skills” as being one of the biggest barriers to hiring entry level talent. Find out what skills you need by attending industry events, doing informational interviews and internships, and by reading industry trade blogs and publications. Many associations publish their membership directory on their web sites which is a great way to learn about what companies are out there, and possibly hiring!

About MITX Established in 1996, The Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) is the region’s premier professional organization for the Internet business & marketing industry. Reaching more than 7,500 professionals in New England, MITX is the community for thought leadership, building business relationships and professional training and development. Members of the MITX community take advantage of events, sponsorships, speaking opportunities and networking to make business connections and exchange ideas. With more than 70 events annually, MITX provides its members with the opportunity to promote their companies to targeted audiences and provides a valuable forum for networking to source potential business leads, partnerships, ideas, funding and other likeminded peers in the industry. MITX is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. For more information, visit mitx.org.