Lloyd Blankfein, former Goldman Sachs CEO, argued that the very top graduates from large public universities like the University of Minnesota can be 'at least as good, maybe better' than the tippy-top students from Ivy League schools. His remarks, delivered on the Big Shot podcast, underscore employer focus on demonstrable talent rather than institutional brand alone. For university career centers and recruiters, the comment reinforces strategies that highlight high-achieving candidates from large publics and suggests employers may broaden pipelines beyond traditional elite feeder schools. The shift could influence alumni outreach, employer partnerships, and how schools market top-tier students.