Apply for Abode's first-ever Early-Career Engagement Awards. Learn More
Kearney and Company is among the top 20 programs in the country to be recognized for excellence in Early-Career Engagement. Their application demonstrated excellence in crafting intentional keep-warm strategies, building community, preventing reneges, fostering mentorship, and successfully converting interns to full-time roles. Below, you’ll find the highlights of their award-winning application including the proudest achievements of their early-career engagement strategies.
Abode is proud to recognize Kearney and Company for their strong approach to early-career engagement.
Read what this organization had to say about their winning strategies.
“Our team is dedicated to supporting incoming interns and college hires months before they arrive. We offer multiple opportunities to connect virtually or in person, ensuring candidates understand upcoming timelines, expectations, and what their summer and onboarding experience will entail. Through consistent communication and open dialogue, we help new hires feel comfortable, informed, and confident as they prepare to join the firm. Our goal is to create a seamless transition by keeping information flowing and ensuring every hire knows we are here to support them throughout the entire pre-start process.”
“Our University Relations Team is intentional about fostering meaningful community well before interns and college hires arrive. We host accepted student dinners at key universities, creating early peer connections and enabling incoming hires to engage directly with Kearney employees in a warm, welcoming environment. To deepen these relationships, we facilitate a virtual philanthropy focused meetup with breakout rooms that spark small group collaboration and shared purpose. We also maintain an active group chat where incoming hires can build relationships, ask questions, and access resources such as our relocation guide. Together, these touchpoints create a supportive, connected, and energized cohort from day one.”
This organization had one of the lowest renege rates among their peers who applied.
In their application, they cited helping candidates see long-term career growth during the interview process, regular communication with new hires between acceptance and start date, and hosting pre-start programming or events as the top 3 reasons for their low rate.
“Our early talent development model features two dedicated mentoring programs, one for interns and one for college hires, ensuring every new hire receives support tailored to their stage. Each year, previous interns enthusiastically return as mentors, demonstrating the lasting impact of their own experience and the value they place on guiding future talent. Their willingness to give back reflects the strength of our culture and the meaningful relationships built during their internships. One of our favorite recurring sentiments is: “When I start full time, I can’t wait to be an intern mentor.” This cycle of support is a hallmark of our community.”
This organization had one of the top internship to full-time conversion rates among their peers.
“Our internship program is intentionally designed to welcome interns into the firm and fully immerse them in our culture from day one. Interns meet directly with executive leadership, engage in meaningful conversations, and are encouraged to share their ideas openly. This level of access helps them recognize their value and see themselves as the future of the firm. To create a unifying experience for all interns, regardless of location, we host an in person “Intern Week,” a signature event that allows interns to experience Kearney firsthand. It is a memorable and energizing highlight that reinforces belonging, connection, and long term commitment.”
