Supporters Unveil 2027 Engineer Student Employment Popularity Rankings Top 30

Supporters Announce the Popularity Rankings for 2027 Engineering Graduates

Supporters, a group company of CARTA HOLDINGS based in Minato City, Tokyo, has released their latest survey results targeting engineering students expected to graduate in 2027. This is the third consecutive year the survey has been conducted, reflecting ongoing trends in employment preferences among engineering students in Japan.

Key Highlights from the Survey

The survey indicates that the top 30 ranking comprises a significant presence of major system integrators (SIers) and internet companies. Among high-class engineering students, interest in the internet sector and venture companies remains strong. In comparison to the previous year, several large SIers and think tanks have significantly improved their rankings.

NTT Data Group Gains Top Spot
NTT Data Group surged from second to first place in this year’s ranking. Students who listed NTT Data as their top choice cited reasons like, "I was inspired by the dedication of the employees during my internship" and "I had a positive impression of the work environment and the supportive atmosphere during my internship." The company’s large-scale internship program, putting around 1,000 students directly into departments, has likely contributed to its positive corporate image.

Popular Companies Among Engineering Students

Overall, the rankings show a vivid representation of IT mega-ventures, large SIers, and IT consulting firms at the top. When focusing specifically on high-class engineering students, internet industry companies like Recruit Holdings, Cybozu, Freelance, SmartHR, and Mercari have significantly climbed the rankings, while some SIers and consulting firms appear to have dipped.

Factors Behind Rising Popularity of Large SIers

This year saw large SIers and think tanks making notable gains compared to last year's survey results. The popularity of large SIers can be attributed to their increased engagement in internship programs that previously focused mainly on Internet firms and startups. Companies like NTT Data have enhanced their internship capacity and initiated new recruitments; thus, students are more frequently exposed to their offerings. The shift towards seeking higher salaries and job stability in response to rising living costs may likewise explain this trend.

However, not all students gravitating towards stability are solely favoring large corporations. Many experienced students continue to express strong interest in the internet sector and startup companies.

“I am interested in mobile applications and am impressed by the expertise of mobile app engineers at Yahoo LINE,” stated a student eyeing the company. Others mentioned the innovative culture and user-friendly product development approach at companies like DeNA and SmartHR as deciding factors for their interest.

Students’ expectations for their employers are varied and personalized, necessitating that recruiting companies consider how they can align with these diverse student aspirations. Understanding how to best engage with potential employees and distinguish themselves in the job market is now more critical than ever.

Methodology and Background of the Survey

The survey, conducted by Supporters, took place from September 2 to September 12, 2025, targeting registered students expecting to graduate in 2027. The total number of valid responses was 366, gathered through an online questionnaire. Students ranked up to five companies of their choice, which were weighted and compiled. The ranking includes approximately 200 companies that utilize Supporters’ services.

About Supporters

Founded in April 2012, Supporters operates under the vision of increasing the number of 'cool adults' and is a subsidiary of VOYAGE GROUP (now CARTA HOLDINGS). It has actively contributed to new graduate hiring in the engineering field, assisting around 1,000 companies and supporting the careers of approximately 70,000 student engineers. Notably, they host over 200 events annually aimed at fostering connections between students and employers.

For further details, check out the student-targeted site here, explore case studies on corporate cooperation here, or inquire about services here.