NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Entergy Corporation is the only energy company included in BusinessWeek magazine''s 2009 "Best Places to Launch Your Career" ranking.

The magazine compiles an annual listing aimed at college seniors and recent graduates ranking the 50 best opportunities. No other energy company was included among the top 50 firms in either the 2009 or 2008 rankings. "The number of ranked employers is down sharply this year, owing to our decision to raise the bar on eligibility," according to BusinessWeek.

"We''re extremely proud of this recognition, ranking us side-by-side with many of the world''s largest and most successful companies," said J. Wayne Leonard, Entergy''s chairman and chief executive officer.

"Today''s graduates are facing an incredibly challenging job market in the current economic environment. On the other hand, we are always interested in adding talented people who share our values and are ready to ''go to work,''" he said.

"Whether it''s working safely around high voltage electricity, or the precision required in a nuclear plant, or achieving the reliability customers expect when they flip the switch on the wall, it requires the best of what we have to give," Leonard said, "a special person who is willing to be held to the highest possible standards.

"Our track record on retaining employees is evidence there is enormous personal satisfaction in the work, and Entergy is a great place to learn the ropes from some of the most experienced, dedicated and talented people in their fields," he said.

The magazine noted Entergy has "one of the best retention rates in the ranking."

The listing is based on surveys of students and career-services directors as well as a questionnaire completed by the company. It is the fourth time BusinessWeek has published the rankings. The magazine''s methodology for compiling the rankings changed in 2009 and resulted in what it called a "tougher competition" than in previous years.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $13 billion and approximately 14,700 employees.

Entergy''s online address is http://www.entergy.com/

Entergy Corporation

CONTACT: Michael Burns of Entergy Corporation, +1-504-576-4238,
mburns@entergy.com

Web Site: http://www.entergy.com/