Three Fairfax County-based businesses have made a list of the top 100 firms nationally where young Americans would be willing to work free for a year, in hopes of landing a full-time position.
Tysons-based Capital One placed 39th on the ranking, with Tysons’ Hilton coming in at #46 and Vienna-based Navy Federal Credit Union #55.
The personal injury law firm Bisnar Chase asked more than 3,000 job seekers which employers they would be willing to serve unpaid for a year — if they were guaranteed to get a paid job at the end.
“The results are a mix of global giants, mission-driven brands and culture-first companies that clearly make a lasting impression,” the California-based firm said.
Leading the pack was Google, which is headquartered in Mountain View, California but has offices in D.C. and Reston.
“For many, it’s not just the perks — it’s the privilege of contributing to world-changing work in an environment that feels more campus than corporate,” was the reason it came in first, analysts said.
Also in the top five: Coca-Cola (headquartered in Georgia), Hawaiian Airlines (Hawaii), Ben & Jerry’s (Vermont), and NASA’s Stennis Space Center (Mississippi).
Rounding out the top 10: Nike (Oregon), Walmart (Arkansas), Microsoft (Washington), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) and Dell Technologies (Texas).
“Today’s young professionals are ambitious, adaptable and resourceful. But they’re also increasingly aware of exploitation masquerading as opportunity,” said Brian Chase, a partner at Bisnar Chase. “This survey shows that while passion runs deep, companies need to meet that ambition with real support.”
The three local firms making the top 100 were the only ones included with headquarters in Virginia.
What led to them making the ranking? According to analysts:
- “Capital One brings freedom to finance. With remote work, flexible hours, paid volunteer days and an evolving, employee-first culture, it’s redefining what a bank can be. Employees are trusted to work in ways that work for them. For someone who wants to grow without burnout in a culture of autonomy and support, joining unpaid feels like stepping into the future of work.”
- “Hilton turns work into travel magic. With the Go Hilton program — hotel stays from $35/night, dining discounts, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave — employees feel like VIPs. Add adoption aid and GED support, and Hilton offers real-life luxury. For someone who wants to be part of creating unforgettable experiences, joining unpaid just to be part of this world-class hospitality family would be more than worth it.”
- “Navy Federal brings old-school security with new-school care. With a pension, generous 401(k), wellness centers, on-site childcare, and adoption support, it’s a fortress of financial and emotional well-being. For someone who wants to work at a place where members and employees are both treated like family, joining unpaid feels like the start of something stable, meaningful and rare.”
Beyond brand names and big dreams, respondents pointed to very real factors that shaped their decisions, the survey revealed.
A positive experience comes from having a clear path to a paid role (cited by 28% of respondents), receiving hands-on experience (25%), being provided work-life flexibility (16%) and receiving mentoring and gaining networking opportunities (11%).
