On December 7, the Georgia Tech Career Center hosted its inaugural Career Equity Summit to discuss high-impact recruiting practices with our employer partners and stakeholders. Participants learned effective strategies to engage historically underserved and protected classes, spanning from recruitment and onboarding to retention strategies. 

As we discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, we are encouraged to consider the environment and history of a company, listen to stakeholder and leadership concerns, and work together on bridging the gap between how inclusive and equitable hiring practices can align with company goals and enrich a company's brand.

Pictured (L-R): Rob Rogers, Byron Fitch (GT Strategic Consulting), Josh McAfee (Humans Doing), Allison Noffsinger (VISA)

When it comes to making an impact within the DEI landscape, remember change can be a process and you cannot do it alone. Try to find DEI champions to align with in the workplace and collaborate together on how to develop a healthy conversation with colleagues and leadership, in addition to, creating processes that can positively impact the company and staff. This could be as simple as using inclusive language in the hiring process and beyond, highlighting DEI efforts on social media and/or company's website, creating a supportive and safe environment for staff, and/or searching for a diverse candidate pool bringing in new perspectives on how to increase revenue and outreach in the community. When companies are able to demonstrate change and support inclusive environments, it speaks volumes to potential employees and stakeholders. 

Feedback from attendees was overwhelming positive, with many of our employer partners excited about bringing the skills and knowledge they learned at the summit back to their leadership to move the needle on equitable hiring in this company.