Seminars & Events > Notes from Past Events > Diversity

Color and Ethnicity in the Job Search Process

Why Companies View Diversity as an Asset

These are brief, informal notes taken from this event.

The Office of Multicultural Student Services and the Career Development Center collaborated to offer a panel for multicultural students on Tuesday, April 12, 2005.

Employer-of-color representatives from Marshall Field's, St. Paul Travelers, Target Stores, and Wells Fargo Financial shared with students information about their career paths, professional development advice, and the benefits of a diverse workplace.

In an effort to develop career programming targeted at our multi-cultural student population, the offices hoped to bring role models before students and communicate valuable information about the career development process.

Also in attendance was Alumni Board member, Judge Charles Williams, founder of the St. Thomas African American Partnership Program, and members of the National Black MBA Association.

The event was sponsored by the Career Development Center, Multicultural Student Services, Hana, and BESA.

Comments from panelists at diversity career panel event.

Panelists were asked, "In the professional workplace, what behaviors are desired and which are not?"

Desired

• Go getters
• Ambition
• Initiative
• Eagerness
• Interest in learning new things
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Maturity
• Know your strengths
• Identify others that can balance out your weaker areas
• Identify mentors for yourself
• Competitive nature
• Can demonstrate enthusiasm through facial and body language.
• Don't be afraid to make tough calls and be the bad guy if you are in a management role.

Not desirable

• Negativity
• Need to be 'spoon-fed' and told how to do every little thing every step of the way
• When asked at the end of a job interview if you have any questions, don't say "no, I have none."