iSchool Career Services acknowledges that historically the fields of technology, library, and information sciences have been built and developed to perpetuate social injustices, including racism, sexism, classism, ableism, and heteronormative assumptions, among others. We recognize that to contribute to a community and institution radically different from what has existed, as a team, we must do differently than preexisting systems and actively pursue anti-racist and equity work.

With this Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) action plan, we welcome you to engage with us as we work to support historically underserved and underrepresented communities within the Information School and provide services that empower students in their careers and workplaces.

• We're committed to educating ourselves through ongoing anti-racism and equity professional development, so we have a better understanding of student experiences and how we can support them.
  • The Career Services team will each attend 1 event per quarter specifically related to DEI, anti-racism, supporting Black students, and aligned underrepresented experiences, and issues of race, class, and equity.

• We’re committed to devoting money and labor towards curating inclusive educational materials and resources.
  • We will conduct a quarterly assessment of career resources to revise existing career education materials and update our website and newsletter to incorporate more DEI-focused content.
  • We will create and maintain a dedicated page for DEI Resources for Students and Job Seekers on our web page.
  • Our weekly career newsletter will feature at least 1 resource or link connecting the article topic to the experiences of diverse professionals and job seekers, or progressive work being done by companies or organizations.

• We’re committed to organizing at least 1 event per quarter addressing racial equity, advocacy, and identity in the workplace.
  • In our planning, the Career Services team will strive to feature Black, Indigenous, and speakers of color, and seek partnerships and collaborations with other offices and staff.
  • As event organizers and hosts, we will clearly credit ideas and content that come from BIPOC originators and workers to inform these events.

• We’re committed to building panels that feature BIPOC alumni. 
  • Each quarter the Career Services team will collaborate with the iSchool Alumni Relations Officer and network with our alumni to intentionally recruit Black, Indigenous, and panelists of color who offer a powerful, intersectional richness of perspectives and backgrounds.
  • At each panel, the facilitator’s pre-drafted questions will discuss DEI-related topics and explicitly invite candid discussion of systems and experiences impacting Black, Indigenous, and professionals of color.

• We’re committed to providing education to employers in the technology, library, and information fields on the needs of our diverse student communities.
  • We will implement and maintain a DEI Resources for Employers page on our Career Services website.
  • In our event coordination, we will strongly encourage employers to proactively discuss their DEI-related policies, progress, and workplace culture with students in presentations and recruitment settings.
  • In communications to students, we will highlight innovative and impactful DEI work being done by employers in these fields.

• We’re committed to gathering student thoughts, prioritizing student perspectives and needs, and continuously improving our services.
  • This year, we will implement an anonymous feedback form on our Career Services website.
  • To support our data-informed approach, we will incorporate new questions into our Fall quarter internship survey and Spring placement survey focused on measuring student experiences with diversity, equity, and inclusion in their job search and workplaces.
  • We invite you to join us and engage with us as we strive to continue doing anti-racist and anti-discriminatory work. Want to collaborate with us or provide feedback? Email icareers@uw.edu.