In Job Hunt, College Degree Can’t Close Racial Gap

[EpyonXero]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/01/us/01race.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

December 1, 2009
In Job Hunt, College Degree Can’t Close Racial Gap
By MICHAEL LUO
Johnny R. Williams, 30, would appear to be an unlikely person to have to fret about the impact of race on his job search, with companies like JPMorgan Chase and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago on his résumé.

But after graduating from business school last year and not having much success garnering interviews, he decided to retool his résumé, scrubbing it of any details that might tip off his skin color. His membership, for instance, in the African-American business students association? Deleted.

“If they’re going to X me,” Mr. Williams said, “I’d like to at least get in the door first.”

Similarly, Barry Jabbar Sykes, 37, who has a degree in mathematics from Morehouse College, a historically black college in Atlanta, now uses Barry J. Sykes in his continuing search for an information technology position, even though he has gone by Jabbar his whole life.

“Barry sounds like I could be from Ireland,” he said.

That race remains a serious obstacle in the job market for African-Americans, even those with degrees from respected colleges, may seem to some people a jarring contrast to decades of progress by blacks, culminating in President Obama’s election.

But there is ample evidence that racial inequities remain when it comes to employment. Black joblessness has long far outstripped that of whites. And strikingly, the disparity for the first 10 months of this year, as the recession has dragged on, has been even more pronounced for those with college degrees, compared with those without. Education, it seems, does not level the playing field — in fact, it appears to have made it more uneven.

College-educated black men, especially, have struggled relative to their white counterparts in this downturn, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent.

Various academic studies have confirmed that black job seekers have a harder time than whites. A study published several years ago in The American Economic Review titled “Are Emily and Greg More Employable than Lakisha and Jamal?” found that applicants with black-sounding names received 50 percent fewer callbacks than those with white-sounding names.

A more recent study, published this year in The Journal of Labor Economics found white, Asian and Hispanic managers tended to hire more whites and fewer blacks than black managers did.

The discrimination is rarely overt, according to interviews with more than two dozen college-educated black job seekers around the country, many of them out of work for months. Instead, those interviewed told subtler stories, referring to surprised looks and offhand comments, interviews that fell apart almost as soon as they began, and the sudden loss of interest from companies after meetings.

Whether or not each case actually involved bias, the possibility has furnished an additional agonizing layer of second-guessing for many as their job searches have dragged on.

“It does weigh on you in the search because you’re wondering, how much is race playing a factor in whether I’m even getting a first call, or whether I’m even getting an in-person interview once they hear my voice and they know I’m probably African-American?” said Terelle Hairston, 25, a graduate of Yale University who has been looking for work since the summer while also trying to get a marketing consulting start-up off the ground. “You even worry that the hiring manager may not be as interested in diversity as the H.R. manager or upper management.”

Mr. Williams recently applied to a Dallas money management firm that had posted a position with top business schools. The hiring manager had seemed ecstatic to hear from him, telling him they had trouble getting people from prestigious business schools to move to the area. Mr. Williams had left New York and moved back in with his parents in Dallas to save money.

But when Mr. Williams later met two men from the firm for lunch, he said they appeared stunned when he strolled up to introduce himself.

“Their eyes kind of hit the ceiling a bit,” he said. “It was kind of quiet for about 45 seconds.”

The company’s interest in him quickly cooled, setting off the inevitable questions in his mind.

Discrimination in many cases may not even be intentional, some job seekers pointed out, but simply a matter of people gravitating toward similar people, casting about for the right “cultural fit,” a buzzword often heard in corporate circles.

There is also the matter of how many jobs, especially higher-level ones, are never even posted and depend on word-of-mouth and informal networks, in many cases leaving blacks at a disadvantage. A recent study published in the academic journal Social Problems found that white males receive substantially more job leads for high-level supervisory positions than women and members of minorities.

Many interviewed, however, wrestled with “pulling the race card,” groping between their cynicism and desire to avoid the stigma that blacks are too quick to claim victimhood. After all, many had gone to good schools and had accomplished résumés. Some had grown up in well-to-do settings, with parents who had raised them never to doubt how high they could climb. Moreover, there is President Obama, perhaps the ultimate embodiment of that belief.

Certainly, they conceded, there are times when their race can be beneficial, particularly with companies that have diversity programs. But many said they sensed that such opportunities had been cut back over the years and even more during the downturn. Others speculated there was now more of a tendency to deem diversity unnecessary after Mr. Obama’s triumph.

In fact, whether Mr. Obama’s election has been good or bad for their job prospects is hotly debated. Several interviewed went so far as to say that they believed there was only so much progress that many in the country could take, and that there was now a backlash against blacks.

“There is resentment toward his presidency among some because of his race,” said Edward Verner, a Morehouse alumnus from New Jersey who was laid off as a regional sales manager and has been able to find only part-time work. “This has affected well-educated, African-American job seekers.”

It is difficult to overstate the degree that they say race permeates nearly every aspect of their job searches, from how early they show up to interviews to the kinds of anecdotes they try to come up with.

“You want to be a nonthreatening, professional black guy,” said Winston Bell, 40, of Cleveland, who has been looking for a job in business development.

He drew an analogy to several prominent black sports broadcasters. “You don’t want to be Stephen A. Smith. You want to be Bryant Gumbel. You don’t even want to be Stuart Scott. You don’t want to be, ‘Booyah.’ ”

Nearly all said they agonized over job applications that asked them whether they would like to identify their race. Most said they usually did not.

[Homeslice]

For the first guy in that article, I don't see what his issue is. With his kind of background, he's going to be applying for Fortune 500, investment banks, etc....and in most of those companies there is a shortage of Black employees. Why hide that you're Black when the HR departments of those companies are actively trying to improve the diversity of their firms?

Also, how are these people dressing for their interview, and what kind of hairstyle are they wearing? I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was professional, but you never know.

[pauldun170]

For the first guy in that article, I don't see what his issue is. With his kind of background, he's going to be applying for Fortune 500, investment banks, etc....and in most of those companies there is a shortage of Black employees. Why hide that you're Black when the HR departments of those companies are actively trying to improve the diversity of their firms?

Also, how are these people dressing for their interview, and what kind of hairstyle are they wearing? I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was professional, but you never know.

I don't know how it is in other areas of the country as the culture seems to be different there.

Here in NYC, for those looking to build careers at fortune 500 companies its the same standard of dress for all. Hairstyles?
Generic close cut or clean shaven.
For woman, pulled all the way back.

Despite all the diversity bullshit they push everywhere, all the pointless ethics courses and all the rest of the BS.
There are still jokes over names.
There are still assumptions that all black people are like "that guy in mail room" who listens to rap music and talks like a hoodlum.
HR people, who are constantly bombarded with all the legal crap and endless seminars on how to "celebrate diversity" see the "black" sounding names and switch gears. While with the normal sounding names they just focus on the content on the resume and whether it is the right fit for the job, when dealing with potential minorities the focus shifts to the negative. It goes from focusing on the fit of the applicant to the job to thoughts about the last diversity course or procedure review. the applicant becomes associated with any negative feelings generated by having to take "another stupid required course".

It doesn't help that during the commute, if your taking public transportation that you have to deal with the lower rungs of society. then the assumption is all the scruffy white guys are contractors, all the spanish looking guys are illegals and all the black guys are hoodlums.

Those assumptions can sneak up on you if you are going over resumes.

[HurricaneHeather]

I guess it's different in every job market. I work in HR and recently applied for a job in a different department. I thought I had a good shot, but found out that two black women have applied to the same job. I will probably not get that job because of my (lack of) skin color.

[pauldun170]

I guess it's different in every job market. I work in HR and recently applied for a job in a different department. I thought I had a good shot, but found out that two black women have applied to the same job. I will probably not get that job because of my (lack of) skin color.

Wonder if the Supreme Court ruling on the Connecticut firefighter case comes into play...


Not surprising that your first assumption is going to be that they will get it because of skin color vs one of them might get because she is a better fit for the job

[HurricaneHeather]

Wonder if the Supreme Court ruling on the Connecticut firefighter case comes into play...


Not surprising that your first assumption is going to be that they will get it because of skin color vs one of them might get because she is a better fit for the job

Yeah, I probably shouldn't assume that. I just see a pattern within my company that leads me to believe that my chances are slim. :shrug:

[pauldun170]

Yeah, I probably shouldn't assume that. I just see a pattern within my company that leads me to believe that my chances are slim. :shrug:

I think another thing that makes it difficult for blacks is the general assumption that in the workplace...they got the job because they are black.

Person A: "We all know how HE got the job (wink wink)"
Person B: "He graduated from Cornell and has his Masters from NYU"
Person A: "We all know how HE got into those schools (wink wink)"


(Black guy approaches)
Person A: Hey how bout those Knicks!!
Black guy: Didn't catch it...heard it was a great game though. Everyone I bump into keeps bringing up basketball games. Well gotta go...have a meeting and all...
(black guy walks away)

Person A: He's nice guy. Totally different from the rest of them
Person B: Shouldn't you be working?

[HurricaneHeather]

Would it make you feel better if I told you there is an old lady in my department that is by far the worst employee ever and she still has a job. We all beleive its because she's old...that's why they won't fire her. :lol:

[Apoc]

Boo hoo, they dont like me cuz im black *cry cry*

thats what I got out of that.

[HurricaneHeather]

I think another thing that makes it difficult for blacks is the general assumption that in the workplace...they got the job because they are black.

Person A: "We all know how HE got the job (wink wink)"
Person B: "He graduated from Cornell and has his Masters from NYU"
Person A: "We all know how HE got into those schools (wink wink)"


(Black guy approaches)
Person A: Hey how bout those Knicks!!
Black guy: Didn't catch it...heard it was a great game though. Everyone I bump into keeps bringing up basketball games. Well gotta go...have a meeting and all...
(black guy walks away)

Person A: He's nice guy. Totally different from the rest of them
Person B: Shouldn't you be working?

Oh and one of the black women who have applied have had racial discrimination complaints againts the company. An HR company with racial discrimination complaints...they like to keep those under raps and a brand new shiny promotion usually makes people shut up for a while.

[pauldun170]

Oh and one of the black women who have applied have had racial discrimination complaints againts the company. An HR company with racial discrimination complaints...they like to keep those under raps and a brand new shiny promotion usually makes people shut up for a while.

:lol

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

[HurricaneHeather]

:lol

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

I know. I just feel like an ass for saying that now. :lol:

[askmrjesus]

Also, how are these people dressing for their interview, and what kind of hairstyle are they wearing? I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume it was professional, but you never know.

You're probably right.

It all boils down to hairstyle. :lol:

JC

[101lifts2]

College-educated black men, especially, have struggled relative to their white counterparts in this downturn, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent.

How come they never post numbers? Typical

Listen, it isn't always about race, really. How many black college graduates couldn't find a job vs. how many white college educated graduates? I'm guessing the white numbers are much much higher.

[Homeslice]

You're probably right.

It all boils down to hairstyle. :lol:

JC

Did I say it ALL boiled down to that?

Just sayin....

If someone shows up in dreadlocks (black OR white), or they are a white guy with some ghey Beatles/emo frock that covers one of their eyes, they will NOT get an MBA-type job with a Fortune 500 company.

Now, if this is some puny little 200-employee firm where people wear T-shirts everyday, then yeah, maybe he'd get hired.

All we know from this article is "When I walked into the interview they looked at me funny because I was Black".........Proof please? Maybe it was because they looked like shit or didn't know how to dress.

Does racial discrimination still affect Blacks, hell yes..........But the reverse is true as well....Many firms actively try to hire more Blacks. Especially my industry, we are like 99% White or Asian, lol.

[goof2]

:lol

I'm not saying stuff like that doesn't happen, it just makes it tougher for those who just want to work while black.

And that is where affirmative action comes off the tracks. It may actually foster attitudes that make it more difficult for black people to get the jobs they want.

[askmrjesus]

How come they never post numbers? Typical

College-educated black men, especially, have struggled relative to their white counterparts in this downturn, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent.

How come they never post numbers? Typical

Don't go around hungry now, but 8's and 4's are numbers.

I know, it's crazy.

JC

[pauldun170]

since its funny or die day
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/24b56caf3e/black-hiker-with-blair-underwood

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/e01cba7600/black-friend-finder?rel=player

[Homeslice]

since its funny or die day
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/24b56caf3e/black-hiker-with-blair-underwood

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/e01cba7600/black-friend-finder?rel=player

and the blacks are cool, whites are not mythology continues.....

[101lifts2]

College-educated black men, especially, have struggled relative to their white counterparts in this downturn, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent.



Don't go around hungry now, but 8's and 4's are numbers.

I know, it's crazy.

JC

I'm not sure if you are just be sarastic but...

100 Black people applied for a job, 92 were hired and 8 were not (8%).
500 White people applied for a job, 480 were hired and 20 were not (4%).

OMG.....Almost double the amount of black people (in percent) didn't get hired!!! We need more affirmative action!

As I said, where are the totals....

[Dnyce]

I'm not sure if you are just be sarastic but...

100 Black people applied for a job, 92 were hired and 8 were not (8%).
500 White people applied for a job, 475 were hired and 20 were not (4%).

OMG.....Almost double the amount of black people (in percent) didn't get hired!!! We need more affirmative action!

As I said, where are the totals....



im more worried about the 5 white ppl you killed

[pauldun170]

im more worried about the 5 white ppl you killed

:lol

[HurricaneHeather]

im more worried about the 5 white ppl you killed

:rofl:

I just blew snot out of my nose. :dthumb:

[101lifts2]

im more worried about the 5 white ppl you killed

LOL...Those 5 had parents that told them to get a job, but they didn't really need to do so.

I orginally did 5%, then changed to 4%. Fixed for ya.

[Homeslice]

Meanwhile nobody gives 101 an answer.

[HurricaneHeather]

Meanwhile nobody gives 101 an answer.

There was too many numbers in it. I don't do math.

[z06boy]

I lost out on a job due to Affirmative Action several years ago to a black male and a black female. It was confirmed later that I had better qualifications than both. I scored higher on the physical fitness test and the mental aptitude test but they didn't have to hire me...they already had several white guys but HAD to hire these two. :whatwhat:

Since that day I've been less sensitive to minorities whining about things like this. Oh well...keep pounding the pavement...I had to. :idk:

[pauldun170]

LOL...Those 5 had parents that told them to get a job, but they didn't really need to do so.

I orginally did 5%, then changed to 4%. Fixed for ya.

How come they never post numbers? Typical

Listen, it isn't always about race, really. How many black college graduates couldn't find a job vs. how many white college educated graduates? I'm guessing the white numbers are much much higher.

and the blacks are cool, whites are not mythology continues.....

...

[askmrjesus]

Meanwhile nobody gives 101 an answer.

Would it really fucking matter? :lol:

Where exactly are you going to get hard numbers from?

"Hi, I taking a poll. How many times would you say you hired a white person over a black person with the same qualifications?"

Good luck with that.

101 thinks it can't be true, since there's no hard data. There's no hard data, because unlike 101, most racists are blatantly honest about it.

JC

[RACER X]

you know which group has the best "staying" power, minority women , esp. in male dom. industries like engineering.........

[101lifts2]

....101 thinks it can't be true, since there's no hard data. There's no hard data, because unlike 101, most racists are blatantly honest about it.

JC


You can argue it both ways...

[Smittie61984]

Just pull out this bad boy...
http://www.redcounty.com/userfiles/image/race-card.jpg

[Homeslice]

you know which group has the best "staying" power, minority women , esp. in male dom. industries like engineering.........

Definitely......

Human Resources is another one too. Nearly every Fortune 500 firm seems to have a "VP of Diversity Programs", and they're all Black or Hispanic women, lol.

[EpyonXero]

Im currently working at a government RDT&E facility with over 1000 employees and probably less than 10% of the employees are minorities.

If minorities are "given" as many jobs as you guys are claiming then im not seeing them.

[derf]

first of what does RDT&E stand for?

I work in a governemt office that is 50% minorities

[HurricaneHeather]

Im currently working at a government RDT&E facility with over 1000 employees and probably less than 10% of the employees are minorities.

If minorities are "given" as many jobs as you guys are claiming then im not seeing them.

Yeah, what is RDT&E?

The way AA works is you have to have a certain # of minorities in relation to how many minorities live in your area. If your city is 10% minorities and the company is following AA, they are only required to have 10% of the workforce as minorities. Well, that's the super summed up version, but you get the idea. :lol:

[z06boy]

Yeah, what is RDT&E?

The way AA works is you have to have a certain # of minorities in relation to how many minorities live in your area. If your city is 10% minorities and the company is following AA, they are only required to have 10% of the workforce as minorities. Well, that's the super summed up version, but you get the idea. :lol:


Yes and it doesn't matter if there is a white male with better qualifications that ALSO needs a job applying for the same exact position which I think is 100% BS.

If you're more qualified you should get the job PERIOD regardless of race or gender imho.

Yep I'm still bitter and that was over 20 years ago. :lol

[CrazyKell]

RDT&E i think is Research and Design um....Technology and Engineering? Or something along those lines no?

[pauldun170]

(sarcasm on)
I am amazed that white people are able to get HR departments to tell them why they were not hired.

Usually when you don't get a job, you get a simple letter stating "Thanks...but no Thanks"

(sarcasm off)

The best is when someone has a friend at a company they apply to and after not getting hired they find out from a friend that a minority got hired.

Friend at company: "Well they obviously chose him because of affirmative action!!"

[z06boy]

(sarcasm on)
I am amazed that white people are able to get HR departments to tell them why they were not hired.

Usually when you don't get a job, you get a simple letter stating "Thanks...but no Thanks"

(sarcasm off)

The best is when someone has a friend at a company they apply to and after not getting hired they find out from a friend that a minority got hired.

Friend at company: "Well they obviously chose him because of affirmative action!!"


:lol: I didn't find out from the HR department directly...all I got WAS a letter from them which is the norm. I just always wondered about it since the two people that got hired took the physical fitness test at the same time and I smoked both of them that day. I didn't know about the aptitude test results until several years later and again I beat both. :idk:

Someone that worked at that company I met a few years later through a mutual friend and that's how I found out. He remembered me and we had a talk about it and confirmed what I already had assumed.

Bottom line was "we had to hire them but we didn't have to hire you".

[pauldun170]

:lol: I didn't find out from the HR department directly...all I got WAS a letter from them which is the norm. I just always wondered about it since the two people that got hired took the physical fitness test at the same time and I smoked both of them that day. I didn't know about the aptitude test results until several years later and again I beat both. :idk:

Someone that worked at that company I met a few years later through a mutual friend and that's how I found out. He remembered me and we had a talk about it and confirmed what I already had assumed.

Bottom line was "we had to hire them but we didn't have to hire you".


Let me say that that post wasn't directed at you. Just an observation based on quite a few idiots I've know over the years.



(Maybe the black guy got the Job because he has actual qualifications vs your string of firings and community college degree? )
-actual thought in head that I kept to myself as individual bitched about not getting a job at a place where I used to work.

[z06boy]

Let me say that that post wasn't directed at you. Just an observation based on quite a few idiots I've know over the years.



(Maybe the black guy got the Job because he has actual qualifications vs your string of firings and community college degree? )
-actual thought in head that I kept to myself as individual bitched about not getting a job at a place where I used to work.

:cheers: Gotcha.

I know what you mean...I didn't get the job because I am black...because I'm a woman...because I'm Latino...because I'm Asian...because of my age...because of Affirmative Action...NO IT'S BECAUSE YOU JUST WERN'T GOOD ENOUGH !!!! :lol:

I've heard this so much through the years when people didn't get what they thought they deserved.

Sadly in some...but not in most cases it is true and that really sucks.

[pauldun170]

:cheers: Gotcha.

I know what you mean...I didn't get the job because I am black...because I'm a woman...because I'm Latino...because I'm Asian...because of my age...because of Affirmative Action...NO IT'S BECAUSE YOU JUST WERN'T GOOD ENOUGH !!!! :lol:

I've heard this so much through the years when people didn't get what they thought they deserved.

Sadly in some...but not in most cases it is true and that really sucks.

I don't really hear much about AA anymore, I guess because I don't really pay attention and all of my friends and associates have stable careers.

HOWEVER, the big thing I here nowadays is about the pay gap between men and women.

That drives me nuts....

You took a year of for maternity leave...OF COURSE the guy that started the same day as you is now pulling in more. While you were home he was making the company money.

"Well I shouldn't be penalized for having family!!"

You shouldn't BE REWARDED for not being here.....ashole!!!

"It's sexism and a mans world...your a sexist!!"

You are a fucking idiot and now I understand why Bob\BIll Joe\Tom\Dick\Harry got the promotion and you didn't.

[z06boy]

I don't really hear much about AA anymore, I guess because I don't really pay attention and all of my friends and associates have stable careers.

HOWEVER, the big thing I here nowadays is about the pay gap between men and women.

That drives me nuts....

You took a year of for maternity leave...OF COURSE the guy that started the same day as you is now pulling in more. While you were home he was making the company money.

"Well I shouldn't be penalized for having family!!"

You shouldn't BE REWARDED for not being here.....ashole!!!

"It's sexism and a mans world...your a sexist!!"

You are a fucking idiot and now I understand why Bob\BIll Joe\Tom\Dick\Harry got the promotion and you didn't.

:rofl: :rofl:

Yep I hear ya...I do hear that alot too.

My particular situation was in the early 80's and I agree I almost never hear about AA these days either.

[pauldun170]

:rofl: :rofl:

Yep I hear ya...I do hear that alot too.

My particular situation was in the early 80's and I agree I almost never hear about AA these days either.

A few months ago I listened to some women go on for about 20 minutes about how she found out a guy that started around the same time as she did for type of job was pulling in 8,000 more than she was. She saw it with her own eyes!!!

She had a group of other women around her giving her the nodded heads and shared outrage....

My questions that got me more dirty looks than a fart at the wedding alter:

During the salary negotiation process, how much did you ask for?
(blank stare)

How did his work experience compare to your work experience...did you see his resume?
(angry blank stare)

You both have been working there for whatever years....have you both worked on the same caliber projects?
(The entire group of women start repeating that it is unfair that women make less than men....completely ignoring my questions)

[z06boy]

Your questions are 100% legit but they didn't want to hear/consider that.

My wife actually makes more than I do and works in Human Resorces. We don't do the same job...we don't have the same formal education...blah..blah...blah...good for her.

When we met I found out she worked for a contracted company that the company I work for used for payroll. Well I knew right off that I couldn't BS her about what I made. :rofl:

[EpyonXero]

RDT&E i think is Research and Design um....Technology and Engineering? Or something along those lines no?

Sorry, I was in acronym mode. Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation.

[CrazyKell]

Sorry, I was in acronym mode. Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation.

Damnit I knew that.

[Apoc]

101 thinks it can't be true, since there's no hard data. There's no hard data, because unlike 101, most racists are blatantly honest about it.




Pointing out that SOME black people get hired because they are black makes you racist? Its a truth, not a racist statement. AA is bullshit.

[Homeslice]

Some of you guys like to think Human Resources doesn't bother targeting a specific race. But they do. It happens at thousands of companies. They actively recruit at mostly-Black schools, they develop relationships with Black clubs & organizations, etc. etc......

Here is my problem with it. What if the only reason that only 2% of people who work in a certain field are Black, or Hispanic or whatever, IS SIMPLY BECUASE THOSE PEOPLE JUST AREN'T INTERESTED IN THAT FIELD, AND DIDN'T MAJOR IN THAT SUBJECT AT SCHOOL??? AND IF SO, WHY SHOULD WE BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO TRY AND HIRE MORE OF THEM??

[101lifts2]

Some of you guys like to think Human Resources doesn't bother targeting a specific race. But they do. It happens at thousands of companies. They actively recruit at mostly-Black schools, they develop relationships with Black clubs & organizations, etc. etc......

Here is my problem with it. What if the only reason that only 2% of people who work in a certain field are Black, or Hispanic or whatever, IS SIMPLY BECUASE THOSE PEOPLE JUST AREN'T INTERESTED IN THAT FIELD, AND DIDN'T MAJOR IN THAT SUBJECT AT SCHOOL??? AND IF SO, WHY SHOULD WE BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO TRY AND HIRE MORE OF THEM??

You can't tell liberals this...they seem to think we "need" to intergrate races instead of simply letting the most qualified get the position.

[EpyonXero]

Some of you guys like to think Human Resources doesn't bother targeting a specific race. But they do. It happens at thousands of companies. They actively recruit at mostly-Black schools, they develop relationships with Black clubs & organizations, etc. etc......

Here is my problem with it. What if the only reason that only 2% of people who work in a certain field are Black, or Hispanic or whatever, IS SIMPLY BECUASE THOSE PEOPLE JUST AREN'T INTERESTED IN THAT FIELD, AND DIDN'T MAJOR IN THAT SUBJECT AT SCHOOL??? AND IF SO, WHY SHOULD WE BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO TRY AND HIRE MORE OF THEM??

Its hard to be interested in something youve never heard of. These companies are just trying to get the word out about what they do and what theyre looking for. If they dont make an effort to diversify and expand who they speak to then they will always get the same types of people applying for jobs because those are the only people who know about it.

I got my degree in ocean engineering, which is an area that most people have never heard of. I didnt even know about it until after I graduated from HS and moved to an area near a school which had the major. Most people pick a major that will get them the job they want, by sending out recruiters to highschools and colleges you have a chance to influence students and make future employees.

[Destitute]

The only black-owned radio network's question to the White House press secretary is regarding the event director's role at the state dinner? How pressing. Facepalm.

Oh, look, I posted in the wrong thread. Oops.

[Homeslice]

Its hard to be interested in something youve never heard of. These companies are just trying to get the word out about what they do and what theyre looking for. If they dont make an effort to diversify and expand who they speak to then they will always get the same types of people applying for jobs because those are the only people who know about it.

I got my degree in ocean engineering, which is an area that most people have never heard of. I didnt even know about it until after I graduated from HS and moved to an area near a school which had the major. Most people pick a major that will get them the job they want, by sending out recruiters to highschools and colleges you have a chance to influence students and make future employees.

Makes sense. I could see it being an issue in companies that sell consumer products, or interact w/the public in some way, such as financial services.......But if it is a technical/industrial type of business, like naval or aerospace engineering that does not interact with the public very much, then I'm not sure it really matters what race their employees are.