Four local companies ranked among best to start career

Four major local employers are among BusinessWeek magazine’s Best Places to Launch a Career for 2008.

Norfolk Southern Corp. jumped 70 spots to No. 20, but was followed closely by Verizon Communications Inc. in 22nd, Northrop Grumman Corp. in 23rd and GEICO in 62nd.

Norfolk Southern, a Norfolk-based railroad that employs more than 30,000 people, including about 1,000 locally, hired 116 people for entry-level positions last year with an average annual salary of $45,000 to $50,000, according to BusinessWeek. The company’s safety record, emphasis on ethics and the environment, diversity, training, benefits and high employee-retention rate make it a great place to work, spokesman Frank Brown said.

BusinessWeek ranked 119 companies based on surveys completed by undergraduate students, employers and college career services. The list is available online and will appear in Monday’s issue of the magazine.