The study polled hundreds of chief executives and chairmen from leading companies in 10 countries across the world to pick the schools they recruit at the most. Theda Rudd, interim executive director for MSU Career Services Network said she wasn’t surprised by MSU’s place on the international rankings.

“We have a lot of Michigan State alums that are in key positions throughout the world,” Rudd said. “Those leaders want their companies to support their alma maters.”

Scott Westerman, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, said MSU students have a reputation of having a good work ethic with employers, something that isn’t properly reflected in university rankings.

“Spartans’ passion for making a valuable contribution in a team environment is something that is taught here from day one,” Westerman said in an email.

“Demonstrated performance is becoming a key criteria for hiring good talent. And delivering results is one of the things MSU does best.”

The broad variety of majors and skill sets available to students at MSU helps makes them coveted in the job market, Rudd said.

“We have a number of companies that choose us as their top one, two or three schools,” she said.

“Many companies come here as their first choice for supply chain (management students,) and supply chain (management) is a skill set that goes across industries.”

General management senior Matt Blumhardt said MSU’s high ranking is helping build the Spartan brand.

“It’s the fact that Michigan State students come out of their four years and they not only have the classroom knowledge but … they have experience to put forth in the business world,” he said.

Employers are looking for people to hit the ground running, and this ranking shows MSU students have the practical knowledge to succeed in the work environment, said Blumhardt — who is graduating next May.

“We’ve got programs that are extremely competitive with all of these other great institutions,” he said. “I’ve interviewed with lots of companies and gotten offers. … And I think part of that comes from the fact that I’m a Spartan.”

Companies these days are looking for longevity and leadership potential out of their employees, Rudd said.

“They are looking for people with the potential to be that CEO, vice president, etc.,” she said.

“I think that high ranking, for not being an Ivy League school, and being a state university, it says a lot about our image across the world.”