Hiring From Elite Colleges & Universities Only

I read a recent article that indicated that the major corporations in the United States were limiting their hiring of recent, or soon to be graduated college students , to 11 or 12 “Elite” Colleges or Universities.

In my opinion, “what a Mistake!” Obviously, these senior corporate executives haven’t read my article, “Hiring Philosophy- Today & Yesterday.”

Just because you are a recent graduate of an “Elite” school, doesn’t mean that you are equipped for the “world” outside. Additionally, I would assume that most of those graduates are 2ndor 3rd generation “blue bloods.” That may be wrong but I don’t think so.

There was an article recently about “grade erosion.” More than 70% of students at some of the most “elite” schools, receive nothing lower than A’s & B’s.

I should also say, that there are many students, at these schools. that are absolutely equipped for the next phase of their life.

Going back to my article concerning “Hiring Philosophy,” I think that Alan Greenberg, former CEO of Bear Stearns, a one- time major Wall Street financial firm, had it right when he said that “ hiring geniuses can be a strategic trap.” He went on to say that “ tech & finance companies are known for hiring geniuses. They look for people with perfect grades and high IQ scores.”

He looked to hire individuals “who can judge themselves honestly, take responsibility for mistakes, and know when to stop.”

He wrote in his book, that included many of his internal memorandum’s, “that he wanted to only hire folks that were “PSR,” Poor, Smart and had a Desire to be rich.

Poor meant not elite or privileged, Smart meant someone who was capable and sharp, and Rich meant someone who was highly motivated, and hungry to do well.

He preferred someone who was energetic, ambitious, and talented. Not someone who only had a degree from an Elite school. It wasn’t the school that made the difference, it was the other qualities described above.

He wanted to hire people with talent, give them responsibility, and trust them to perform.

I realize that I am from a different time. Many of my mentor’s served in WWll. They were from a different era. Many were first generation. They obviously had a different view of the world. I am also first generation, and did not attend an “Elite” school.

Many of my contemporaries were first generation, and didn’t have a college degree, but they were talented, and had a desire to better themself, and their families. We also weren’t saddled with all of the tech nuances that exist today.

I was a member of the “mobile society.” One did not stay at the same company for 40 or 50 years. As one moved up the corporate ladder, many moved to a new company. As a result, you were exposed to different management philosophies. Some good, some bad. A constant however, was that you were able to judge for yourself, what was effective, and what wasn’t.

I believe that today’s organizations , those that are only recruiting from “elite” schools, are making a huge mistake. There are many students at Tier Two schools, and lower, that will make “PSR” employees. Many are first generation, because their families are first time immigrants, and they only need an opportunity.

Maybe it is time to remember, “ where we came from.”

Jess Sweely

Madison, Va. 22727

January 7, 2026