Insight into Diversity Makes for Bette Job Interviews:

An Informed Process for Job Seekers

What is diversity and why should it matter? It matters because the more you know about corporate diversity, the more successful you will be in your job search process and interview experiences.

• What components must be in place for a diversity program to succeed? Find out what it takes to run a successful diversity program, in essence, all of the components that must be in place and the infrastructure need for sustainability.


• What facts can you discover about the company? Next, collect background information on the company, namely, the nature and breadth of its ties to diversity. Once you have digested what has been collected so far, develop a list of conversation starters, interesting points, and questions that might help to fill in the blanks and clarify what seems curious or motivating.


• What is the company's reputation as an employer? Move on to third-party endorsements for firsthand experiences and hearsay renderings. These sources offer insight into the company's reputation.


• What role should advisors and recruiters play in the process? Engage school placement counselors (Career Services) and/or recruiters in meaningful diversity conversations using the information you've gleaned as a starting point. Ask for their thoughts and insights, use them as a sounding boards, and have them engage you in practice runs.

For further information see the article in full in EOE Journal, Vol. 22 - Num. 91 - March 2012 by Dr. Kathryn Alexander

Cultural Understanding Critical to Care

Minority applicants to medical schools are on the rise. Organizations liek the Association of Ameican Medical Colleges have launched campaigns to increase awareness of the glaring gap (see Aspiring Docs) and increase recruitment of diverse individuals to the health care industry.

An article by the American Medical News in late 2008 reported that first-year medical school enrollment for Hispanics was up by 10 percent from the previous year and that American Indian and Alaska Native enrollees increased by more than 5 percent from the previous year. Enrollemnt for African Americans had also increased, but only slightly.

Ultimately, the answers lie in elementary and high school education to prepare all students for careers in health care. Often, students from under-represented groups are not exposed to enough science and math in high school to be able to excel in those classes in college that would prepare them for advancement to medical school.

Affirmative Action Register: Summer 2009