ABINGTON, Pa. — The Penn State Abington Center for Career and Professional Development (CPD) recently hosted a virtual meetup for Black students and professionals. The goal of the event was for the professionals to share career advice related to diversity, equity, and inclusion and for the students to begin building or adding to their networks.
The trio of facilitators included Michelle Daly, employer engagement coordinator in CPD; CPD student peer career advisor Kyra Fripps; and Samirah Herbert, vice president of the student organization Sister2Sister, whose goal is to increase retention among Abington women of color.
The event started on Zoom, where the panelists introduced themselves and were asked general questions by the moderators. The students then moved on to Brazen, a platform used for virtual hiring events and online career fairs. Brazen allowed students to “wait in line” to talk to panelists privately.
The six panelists were:
- Darryl Bundrige, executive director, City Year Philadelphia
- Shelby Chapman, counsel, Legal and Compliance, United States Liability Insurance
- Angelina Isaac, senior diversity and inclusion workforce initiative partner, Independence Blue Cross
- Eddie Lugo, area manager, Enterprise Holdings
- Kwan Morrow, vice president of digital content, Gregory FCA
- Jennifer Taylor, manager of contracts, Universal Health Services
The panelists discussed the best way for students to assess whether prospective employers are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Bundrige suggested that students do their homework online first.
“What are the initiatives, statistics, and plans to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion? Who are you sitting across from in interviews? What are the opportunities for advancement? How is your voice being represented in decisions that are being made? How are you working to address equity?” he said.
“If you are willing and of the mindset to walk into a place that isn’t doing much and play a key role, that’s great, but know that it’s going to be uphill. Choose what you are committing to in that space,” Bundrige continued.
Isaac cautioned that some companies may just be starting their efforts based on the current climate in society.
"Get an understanding of whether their diversity and inclusion initiatives have been woven into their culture,” she said.
Morrow advocated for the direct approach.
“Ask questions: What is your view on diversity? What opportunities would I have to start diversity initiatives to recruit people like me? You may need to be a trailblazer,” he warned.