When considering job offers, career paths, and other aspects of future employment-it is important to consider how one’s own beliefs, background, and personality can impact one’s decision. Similarly, declaring a major, discovering a field you’re passionate about, and landing the job of your dreams can be very exciting moments in one’s life. However, it is also very important to take the time in each of these stages to conduct thorough research in ensuring that said environments align with your career goals and are able to provide you with support. Depending on the organization and field; this can look like a variety of things such as Employee Resource Groups and Diversity Councils. A career can be ideal for many, but it does not mean it is the right fit for all.
Conducting thorough research on potential employers in order to determine which may be a good fit and especially those who value diversity and inclusion is a vital aspect of the job and internship search. For Binghamton University students this step can be facilitated by attending events such as the Diversity Roundtable, which took place on September 20th, and served as an excellent resource for evaluating and networking with a variety of employers who foster diverse work environments, the recruiting practices of said organizations, and feeling comfortable asking the questions that will allow one to make these decisions. The Diversity Roundtable event was an great opportunity to begin building connections within students’ fields as well as provide insight on what one may want in a future career in the transition from college to career.
After the Diversity Roundtable event, it is important to continue conducting thorough research on potential employers. Below are a few tips on things to be mindful of when conducting your research and provide a good start:
- Take note of diversity awards potential employers have been nominated for or received. These can include but are not limited to:
- Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index
- Human Rights Campaign Corp Equality Index
- Great Place to Work/ Best Companies to Work For Awards
- Disability Equality Index
- DiversityInc’s Top 50 Companies for Diversity
- Refinitive Diversity and Inclusion Index
- Conduct informational interviews! Ask questions regarding company culture and inclusion efforts. Consider if the answers align with your preferences and necessities as an employee and personally.
- Check employer websites for sections on their diversity, equity, and inclusion policies
- If they do not have sections like these listed, take that into consideration
- Look for Employee Resource Groups and Diversity Councils
- Search for related keywords on their website and representation via pictures, multiple languages availability, and accessibility considerations
- Feel free to utilize the Corporate Equality Index as a good gauge for employers
- This tool was created by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for the inclusion of LQBTQ+ members in the workplace and measures policies, practices, and benefits
There are a variety of ways to determine whether a place of employment is a good fit in terms of career goals- but it is equally as important to determine whether a place of employment is also inclusive and supportive.
