As demographics steadily change and the workforce’s makeup is becoming increasingly diverse, the workplace must shift accordingly. According to Randstad, diversity, and inclusion are among the top trends in 2020 that guide the evolving workforce. To meet future demands and profits, companies will need to make diversity and inclusion a primary principle of their corporate strategy. Key areas of focus will be dismantling pay disparities, the advancement of people of color, and instituting an inclusive company culture. As the corporate structure embraces change, so too will current and future employees. It will be essential for people of color to learn how to navigate the evolving company structure as they break through the proverbial glass ceiling.
The glass ceiling affects groups of people in distinctively different ways. It is widely believed that the ceiling isn’t made of glass for black women but rather concrete. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, black women receive the highest percentage of conferred bachelor’s degrees. In a National Partnership report for Women and Families, black women earned 62 cents per dollar earned than white/non-Hispanic men. These disparities present significant problems for the future of work and offer opportunities to support black women and women of color as a whole.
A key element of success is the access and utilization of information. Here at the Center for Career Development, we want to make sure that we supply every Husky with resources to guide their decision-making process. We want to introduce a resource to you called The Memo, an online career development resource and community for women of color. The Memo was founded by Minda Harts and Lauren Broussard, who have dedicated their careers to advancing women of color. The Memo offers various resources that support personal and professional development for women of color as they navigate their career journey.
See below for some highlights:
- Boot Camps Library, which is home to several virtual training which are reasonably priced
- Blog section which is a free resource that is robust and rich with content
- Additional career resources and events
It is essential to mention that The Memo is just one resource that can help black women and other women of color related to career development. Access to information and opportunity must act as functions of systemic shifts that promote inclusivity.
Visit the affinity community pages for Women and Black/African American for more resources that support diversity, equity, and inclusion here and beyond UConn.
Photos by Christina @ wocintechchat.com on Unsplash
