“Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights.You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In honor of a leader who has fought for and created more diversity, equity and inclusion in our lives, each of us can commit to incorporating more learning, awareness, and action towards these goals in our work and studies. As many have seen this past summer, there is still much work to be done in order to have workplaces and institutions that are inclusive and promote success for all of its members. Here are two steps that you can take in your career preparation and planning, starting today.
Develop Individual Career Readiness
Through a task force of college career services and HR/staffing professionals, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, has identified eight competencies associated with career readiness. The three that relate most to DEI awareness and action are: Problem-Solving, Teamwork and Global/Intercultural Fluency. When employees and graduate students are sufficiently competent in Global/Intercultural Fluency, they improve in their teamwork and problem-solving skills. Anyone can improve their intercultural fluency by seeking out opportunities for learning and to involve oneself in diverse and inclusive environments.
As a start, take advantage of the excellent list of anti-racism resources, learning opportunities and events that Bucknell offers.
Seek Employers and Graduate Schools Who Embrace Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Employers and Graduate Schools have also responded to the increased need for transparency of their commitment and demonstration to being an inclusive and equitable environment that values diversity. There are several ways to seek out an employer that embraces your values, including identifying specific organizations that you are aware of by:
- Using resources that evaluate and share information about an organization’s commitment to DEI (such as the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index, Diversity, Inc – Top Companies for Diversity, Great Places to Work for Diversity)
- Conducting deeper research into how the mission and values are expressed through the actions of the organization and its employees (and students in the case of graduate schools).
- Looking into company affinity groups; many employers and universities have organized affinity groups that can provide support and advocacy for its members – these can be resources for you as a potential employee/student and when you become part of the organization.
Additional articles and resources:
Here are some more articles and resources that may be of help as you think about how you want to increase your skills and focus on DEI in your career goals.
- Instagram handles + bios of Black career services, entrepreneurs, and authors
- Scholarships and Fellowships for Students of Color
- How Volunteering Can Help Advance Your Career (at organizations that are actively working towards advancing racial equality and social justice)
- 50 Black-Owned and Led Companies to Follow on Handshake
- Ted Talk: Cultural Humility, Juliana Mosley, Ph.D.
- Harvard University Implicit Bias Assessments