Top multinationals like Google, Apple, Microsoft and Intel are the most desired employers for students.
That's according to new research from employer branding specialists Universum, part of IrishJobs.
Ryanair and Aer Lingus have moved up the scale, following a return to normal travel activity earlier this year.
Source: UniversumWhile new entrants for this year include An Post, Irish Rail and AXA Insurance.
Steve Ward is Universum's UK and Ireland business director.
He told Newstalk Breakfast students are moving more towards salary and security.
"The companies that have risen the most in the rankings have tended to be some of the really international tech firms, banks, pharmaceutical companies are up there at the top as well.
Source: Universum"This year, what we've seen with the students is slightly more of a lean towards career, salary, security - all those sort of things."
He says students are also upping their salary expectations.
"The average salary expectation of graduates going into the workforce at the moment is between 8% and 12% higher than it was in 2021.
"They're looking and they're asking for more money, quite simply."
Source: UniversumWhile students chose 'ethical standards' as a value that was most important to them from any employer.
"There's definitely a desire that they can find employers that they can believe in, rather than just work for", he adds.
Elaine Burke, editor of Silicon Republic, says the finding aren't surprising.
"These would be huge names that these people definitely know.
"I think what you're looking at here is a generation that's responding to the situation that's been created in society for them.
"They wouldn't have a chance to live a satisfactory life, unless they're getting a higher salary, with the way the cost of living is going up and the way housing is completely unaffordable.
"What I would see from tech is that they might yet have opportunities to expand with a global company, move outside of Ireland - there'd be great opportunities as well beyond Ireland".
The Most Attractive Employers Index Ireland 2022 was conducted among 8,000+ students in Ireland across business/economics, IT, engineering, natural sciences, humanities, law and medicine.
