I think one point the author misses is that a lot of college grads see these prestigious companies, rightly or wrongly, as being the best places to learn to hon

I think one point the author misses is that a lot of college grads see these prestigious companies, rightly or wrongly, as being the best places to learn to hone their craft. Yes, there may be some self-selecting and self-perpetuating cycle here where the most ambitious seek out the best, but I do think that there's a higher chance you'll find great or even best-in-the-world [software engineers|investment bankers|consultants] to learn from at these prestigious firms than smaller boutique companies.