There are a number of Employee Resource Groups available to students in the Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander Affinity Community. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are employee-led coalitions made up of employees who share common interests, backgrounds, and/or demographic factors. While the operations of such groups can differ from company to company, in general, they coordinate professional as well as social networking events. ERGs are beneficial because they create a community amongst individuals with similar identities and interests, allow for new networking opportunities, improve employee satisfaction and retention, and allow growth and leadership opportunities for those from underrepresented backgrounds.
One ERG that students in the Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander Affinity Community may be interested in is InspirASIAN. InspirASIAN is a nonprofit and educational organization that represents Asian and Pacific Islander AT&T employees. This ERG’s mission is to, “Foster diversity appreciation and inclusion in our workplace and community.” The nonprofit focuses on creating informative events and programs that encourage making a difference. Within AT&T, InspirASIAN works to develop the leadership skills of Asian and Pacific Islander employees. For the broader community, the organization economically supports disadvantaged people through charity and education efforts. InspirASIAN offers scholarships as well.
Another ERG that Asian/Asian American/Pacific Islander students may find appealing is ASIA, the Asian Society for Innovation and Achievement. ASIA is a Johnson & Johnson ERG that focuses on creating a culture of inclusion, talent acquisition, and community impact. The organization’s vision is “To make J&J an employer of choice for Asian talent, dedicate to accelerating organizational and business growth through leadership, inclusion, community and innovation.” ASIA hosts multiple events, including conferences, panels, and cultural events. It was established in 1997 and now has over thirteen hundred members at twenty chapters nationwide.
For more information about these ERGs and more, check out their links and the Center for Career Development’s website here.
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