We've been able to recruit college graduates that have a variety of skills and are very hard working.

Sure, if you are a GC and graduated from Harvard with a degree in Contract Law and Negotiations you probably can handle everything on your own, but most people underestimate the amount of work a place needs and overestimate their ability to pull it off - that is where a great buyer's agent can pay for their commission tenfold. 

I graduated from USM and I’m currently a resident here. 

It's awesome that you're discovering the world of real estate before you graduate college.

I plan on buying my first residential multi-family property after I graduate college and get my finances in order, but the question is should I work with a PM if I am house hacking?

If 5 years then usually 2-3 months free (they usually have to pay for NNN even during the free months) or a graduated increase from low starting rent.

I grew up in NYC, moved to  the Syracuse area a few decades ago when I was 14.I work in IT management and graduated a year ago from Syracuse University's MBA program. 

This way, when she graduates from college, she'll already be well on her way with passive income.

Graduating to the next step will open doors for newer & better opportunities.

I would check out BiggerPockets' newly launched Find A Lender tool or list of featured hard money lenders here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/...Going with a trusted, repeatable HML when you are ready to scale and "graduate" from friends/family capital is typically the right path