Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
iSchool Career Services is committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the iSchool and in the communities where our students and alumni live and work. As we continue to learn how to best support our students from different identities, cultures, and backgrounds, we strive to do the work through our commitments to equity and are working to help make every part of our students’ career journey more equitable.
The Career Team is always looking to learn more and improve our DEI work. If there are any additional resources you’d like to see on our site, please use the Anonymous Feedback Form to let us know. Please also use the form to ask questions, provide feedback, or report instances of racism.
Why does DEI in the workplace matter? What are the benefits?
Diversity, equity, and inclusion is beneficial to employers, employees, and companies overall. Attracting and retaining diverse talent allows for complexity of perspectives and skills to respond effectively to customers representing a diverse world. Companies and organizations that foster a sense of belonging for all employees outperform on profitability, increase retention rates, and create more innovative, reputable, and productive work environments.
How does racism and discrimination show up in the job search process?
Although many companies aim to build talented and diverse teams, certain hiring practices inadvertently discriminate against members of the underrepresented groups that organizations strive to hire and retain. Some of the ways racism and discrimination can show up in the hiring process include:
- False assumptions that hiring diverse candidates will not result in competitive hires
- Hiring for a “culture fit” rather than a “culture add”
- Requiring education credentials that do not align with the compensation or position responsibilities
- Unpaid internships that can’t be afforded by those without economic security
- Desired qualifications that can only be understood and filled by an internal candidate, such as years of experience with a system or process unique to the company
- Unconscious preference for candidates who “sound American” and speak “standardized American English”
- Enforcing Western or racialized standards for hairstyles and dress, such as banning natural hair or religious clothing
- Unconscious preference for ‘white,’ Western or European names on applications
How does racism and discrimination show up in the workplace?
Workplaces may struggle with retaining diverse talent when they make successful competitive hiring decisions, but fail to create inclusive environments. Some of the ways racism and discrimination show up in these workplaces include:
- Micromanagement or unconsciously using different standards to assess the work of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC)
- Fewer promotions and upward mobility for workers in underrepresented groups
- Microaggressions
- Glass ceilings for workers who don’t “sound American,” speak “standard American English,” or who speak other languages
- Enforcing Western or racialized standards for hairstyles and dress, such as banning natural hair or religious clothing
How do I learn more?
We encourage you to use these resources as a springboard for further learning and work in anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practices.
- UW Library Racial Justice Guides
- University of Washington Human Resources' Inclusive Hiring Resources
- The Bias of “Professionalism” Standards