By Logan Gilmore

With the New Year fully upon us and graduation right around the corner, students (seniors in particular) are on the lookout for the best company with which to get their start in the professional world.

Though many companies have the essentials—such as a substantial salary and benefits —a few businesses take it a step further with exciting corporate cultures that are second to none.

More and more businesses are moving away from the traditional 9-to-5 workday and are focusing on Generation Y, or the Net Generation.

With the Internet as an irreplaceable and always-on tool in today’s society, companies have begun to offer more flexible work schedules, with the idea that the work being done is more valuable than the hours spent in the office.

Several companies are also allowing relaxed attire into the workplace, and give employees more time to meet in small groups to achieve the goals of the business.

Google, for example, maintains a casual dress code, arranges teams for each project from various departments, and brings employees into a lifestyle that is centric to the company’s goals.

This plunge into amplifying human capital, which strives to sustain a culture within the company that emphasizes employee happiness and satisfaction, is spreading to a growing amount of businesses.

The trend is increasingly valuing humans as individuals, rather than a job title to be maximized.

Despite the temptation for students to take on the first job they are offered, restraint should be used in determining whether or not the overall philosophy of the company is best suited for their wants and needs.

Google, according to their website, offers free meals, video games, massages, transportation around campus, “napping pods,” swimming pools, volleyball courts and dog-friendly work spaces.

Zappos.com, now a part of Amazon.com, offers the commonplace incentives such as medical, dental, vision and life insurance. However, on top of these, Zappos.com offers on-site wellness services, pet insurance, 24-hour phone/Internet access, a life coach, as well as free meals throughout the day.

Amongst the goals listed on their website, Zappos.com states, “work shouldn’t be synonymous with drudgery.”

Since a positive company culture is integral to the philosophy of  increasing the happiness of employees and CEOs alike, rankings for these businesses are also growing.

According to Fortune’s “Top 100 Businesses To Work For,” the number one spot went to analytical firm SAS, for their “epic” benefits such as a free children’s camp, car wash, beauty salon, on-site clinic, childcare and a massive gymnasium.

Others on Fortune’s list include The Boston Consulting Group for their dedication to social work; Wegmans Food Markets for their health-conscious environment and incentives; Edward Jones for their diversity policies; and Arkansas Children’s Hospital for the full gym, a benefit-based pension plan and childcare on campus.

Glassdoor.com, a website that ranks businesses on anonymous employee reviews, released a top list this year as well.

Consulting firm Bain & Company ranked first for their extensive training and mentorship programs. These allow new employees to learn the ropes in a challenging yet informative culture focused on employee social interaction.

Others on this satisfaction-based list include Facebook, Apple, General Mills, Southwest Airlines, Scottrade, Intel Corporation and Goldman Sachs.

This move to create exciting workplaces is common amongst many companies in today’s struggling economy.

According to Harvard Business Review, maintaining employee happiness is now a top priority because it not only increases productivity, but also sends company revenues skyrocketing. A happy employee is a profitable employee, to say the least.

Eric Hall, a senior finance/management/HR major, agrees. “Whether it be additional education or training, traditional benefit plans, or additional perks or bonuses, I’m looking for a company that values their employees and takes care of them,” he said.

“It doesn’t have to be as flashy or exciting as some of the technology companies but it [company culture] does have to value its employees and provide an environment that encourages success,” Hall said.

So how does the average graduate land a job with a desirable company?

Glassdoor.com says that fair employee salaries, benefits, achievement-based bonuses, transparency and similar life values are just a few things to look for when deciding where to land your fledgling professional career.

More information on company culture and benefits can be found on each individual establishment’s websites, usually under the “Careers” section. A simple Internet search will bring about thousands of opportunities.

Sites such as Linkedin.com, Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com are just a few places where students can search for and get in touch with prospective employers.

Through some research and inquiry into business practices and company culture, the right employer can be found with ease. The hardest part begins with getting your foot in the door.